The Iron are back in action, looking to make it four wins from four, after a good win away
at Braintree.
John Akinde put United a goal down less than a minute into the match, giving the hosts a great start. Leo Farrell got things level before halftime, and Oli Ewing fired Scunthorpe into the lead. Lewis Walker equalised minutes later to make it 2-2, before a Cal Roberts penalty won the Iron the match in the 90th minute. Next up is a clash against league leaders Rochdale.
In the reverse fixture against Rochdale, no winner was found after ninety minutes. Roberts
opened the scoring after scoring from distance, before Ryan East got the hosts level. The game
also included an infamous Rochdale penalty where Emmanuel Dieseruvwe started his run-up
before stopping it, and the referee’s decision overturned the penalty into a Scunthorpe free kick.
With five wins in their last six, and one loss in their last 17 (13 wins, three draws and one loss),
the hosts are in a real run of form as the title race with York City runs down to the wire. Their last
defeat came against Southend just weeks ago, as their unbeaten run had come to an end,
losing 3-2. But they got back to winning ways in their last match against Tamworth, where they
were victorious, winning 3-2, having gone behind and missed a penalty, in an action-packed
match.
Two dangermen for Rochdale are Devante Rodney and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Rodney has
netted seven goals from midfield whilst assisting seven goals himself too, and has shown he can
change matches, not just this season but throughout his time at Rochdale. He scored 20 goals
last season and has been a talisman for the club in recent years. Dieseruvwe has caused teams
problems all season as his side's top scorer, and the second top scorer in the National League,
he has proved to be a problem for opponents. The 31-year-old has 30 goal contributions in 33
league appearances, with 24 goals and six assists. After his blip from the penalty spot last time
out against the Iron, I’m sure he will be looking to right his wrongs.
As Rochdale look to stretch their two-point lead over York to five points, by winning this game in
hand, Andy Butler’s side are looking to continue building form and momentum whilst also having
the chance to get within a point of Boreham Wood, who have also played a game more than
United.
