Could Scunthorpe Be A Turning Point?

22nd August 2006

Lincoln City travel to Scunthorpe United on Tuesday evening for a League Cup first round tie.

This match could prove the turning point for either club, although for differing reasons. Presently, Lincoln City are hovering near the top of League Two but their inability to kill opponents off has seen The Imps drop unnecessary points. Should Lincoln City record a victory against League One club Scunthorpe then The Imps might find some extra belief that could carry them to promotion. Whereas a Scunthorpe win could ignite their rise through the division.

Scunthorpe have had a better start to the season than their league placing suggests. They are currently third from bottom but their results have included two draws at home to losing 2006 play-off finalists Swansea City and newly relegated Crewe Alexandra.

Scunthorpe's main concern appears to be their defence, which has conceded 7 goals during their past four matches. However, in-form striker Billy Sharp has netted three times during these same four fixtures. Sharp is obviously a key player that Lincoln's defence must mark careful. The only other player to have scored for Scunthorpe this season is Andy Crosby, who has scored two goals.

Scunthorpe also have a danger man in striker Andy Keogh, although he has yet to register his first goal of the season. The over-reliance on Sharp has prompted Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws to ask for more funds to strengthen his side. Presently, Laws has identified a striker and a midfielder as a priority signing.

On the eve of the season, Laws thought he had found the answer to worries when he gave former Lincoln City striker Derek Asamoah a trial. Asamoah impressed during Scunthorpe's 1-0 victory against Sheffield United but surprisingly rejected Scunthorpe in favour of Shrewsbury Town of League Two.

Scunthorpe have been boosted by the news that Steve Torpey is available again. However, on-loan striker Andrea Ferretti is not eligible to play against Lincoln.

These two clubs first met almost to the day 56 years ago, when Lincoln recorded a 2-1 win on August 23rd 1950 in a Division 3 North match at Sincil Bank. The return fixture, which took place a week later, ended as a 1-1 draw. Please click here for a full historical results round-up.

Odds for the game:

Scunthorpe 8/11
Draw 12/5
Lincoln 100/30

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