After picking up a point on the road we return to Vale Park as we host Scunthorpe United this weekend
In the Dugout
Keith Hill began his managerial career at Rochdale in 2006 when he took over as caretaker manager. Five years later he took over at Barnsley before moving back to Rochdale after just two years. He would go on to manage Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers before joining Scunthorpe in November 2021.
Man with the Armband
Harry Davis, brother to former Valiant Joe Davis, was the Iron’s first team captain having recently signed for AFC Fylde on a permanent deal. George Taft wore the armband in their previous match against Bristol Rovers. Taft spent his youth career at Leicester City and made his professional debut in 2013.
The centre-half has made 27 appearances in the league and has been a part of three clean sheets scoring once.
Star Man
Centre half Emmanuel Onariase is a product of West Ham United’s youth system. He began in 2009 but never made a professional appearance for them or his next two clubs Brentford and Rotherham United.
He played his first professional game for Cheltenham on loan from Brentford and would later move onto Dagenham & Redbridge before signing for Scunthorpe last summer. His best performance this season came in an away game against Carlisle United in September scoring from a corner.
Top Scorer
Scunthorpe’s top scorer with six goals is Ryan Loft who left on the 4th January, moving to Sky Bet League Two rivals Bristol Rovers. Their current top scorers who are still at the club are Myles Hippolyte and Jake Scrimshaw who have both scored four.
Last time out and recent form
The Iron have lost all of their last five games, failing to score in four of them. Losing 1-0 to Carlisle United, 4-0 to Tranmere Rovers, 2-0 to Exeter City and 1-0 to Newport County. But they almost salvaged a point in their last game on Tuesday night.
Bristol Rovers took the lead through Joshua Grant on 36 minutes before Anthony Evans doubled their lead from the penalty spot after 62 minutes. Leon Clarke made it 3-0 on 78 minutes which at the time looked like it sealed the points for the visitors. But two late goals from Sam Burns for Scunthorpe made it an exciting finish but Bristol Rovers hung on to the win.