Preview: Southend (H)

The Iron are back in action with some league football after being knocked out of the FA
Cup by underdogs Horsham FC, at the Attis Arena. Dec Howe opened the scoring, but
goals from Reece Meekums and Jake Elliott put the leaders in front, and United failed to
respond. As they look to return to winning ways, a home clash against play off chasers
Southend is a highly anticipated match for fans.

In the reverse fixture, Andy Butler’s side travelled down south to the seaside, and left Essex with
all three points. Two goals in a five minute period is all the match saw, as Alfie Beestin fired
Scunthorpe to the lead five minutes after the halftime interval. Just five minutes after the opener,
Sellars-Fleming doubled the lead.

Despite sitting outside the top seven, Southend are in top form, with only one loss in 2026, and
that was against top spot Rochdale. Last time out for the visitors, it was another away match but
a Gus Scott-Morris penalty was enough to get all three points away at Chatham Town.
A couple of players who could cause Scunthorpe’s defence some problems are Andrew Dallas
and Scott-Morris. 26 year old forward, Dallas, is on loan from Morecambe and has put forward a
strong output this season. Scott-Morris, predominantly plays on the right hand side and at right
back, but has had a really strong output this season. With seven league goals and four assists,
and nine goals if counting all competitions. After the defeat in the FA Trophy will have Southend
looking to strike whilst the kettle is hot.

Both sides approach the fixture level on matches played, and the visitors are just one point
behind Halifax Town in the final play off spot. The Iron are looking to push closer as Boreham
Wood out of form are level on points with the side, and Forest Green and Carlisle are all in arms
length, with more games played than Scunthorpe