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Match Previews

Preview: Scunthorpe United (A)

7 February 2020

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The first of two long away trips in the space of four days sees Cheltenham Town travel to Scunthorpe United on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

It's a visit to Lincolnshire this weekend and then a long trip to Cumbria to take on Carlisle United on Tuesday night.

But all of the focus is on matters on Saturday at The Sands Venue Stadium as Michael Duff's team look to keep up the pace in the top seven of League Two.

Scunthorpe are eager to record a win at home, but the Robins will be head there looking to build on the 1-1 draw last time on their travels at Bradford City.

Team news

Conor Thomas is looking to be involved after going off injured in last week's win against Morecambe. Fellow midfielder Chris Clements is unlikely to feature because of a recent illness.

Scott Flinders long-term leg injury rules him out. George Lloyd is also facing a fight to be fit.

Check out Michael Duff's press conference previewing the game:

Midfielder Ryan Broom returned from injury last time out. He has been previewing the trip too.

Opposition

Any ambitions to bounce back into League One at the first attempt appear to be growing less likely for Saturday's opponents after a sticky patch in League Two which hasn't seen them win in the division since New Year's Day.

They are managerless going into Saturday's contest. Former boss Russ Wilcox is back in charge but Paul Hurst left the club at the end of January.

Their last win came in the Leasing.com Trophy against Manchester City's under-21s, while they've not won at home in the league since a 23 November victory over Port Vale.

They bolstered their squad with the signings of 23-year-old Devarn Green from Southport and Middlesbrough youngster Ben Liddle on a loan deal at the end of the transfer window. Jordan Gabriel has also arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest with goalkeeper Ian Lawlor arriving on a loan deal from Doncaster Rovers.

Lawlor was in goal for their defeat at Crawley Town last time out. That day the long serving Andy Butler, 20-year-old Jacob Bedeau and ex-Newcastle United man James Perch were defensive bodies in their line-up that could feature again on Saturday.

In their midfield youth product Levi Sutton is a homegrown talent to keep an eye on. Ex-Shrewsbury Town man Alex Gilliead may be involved, while former Crewe Alexandra youngster Ryan Colclough offers an attacking drive to their armoury as well.

Dutchman Kevin Van Veen is their leading goal scorer and is likely to lead their attack. He has ten goals to his name this term with Abo Eisa, the brother of former Cheltenham forward Mo, having netted five times himself.

A number of their other attacking bodies could see them turn to John McAtee, with George Miller, who is on loan from Barnsley, an option for them to look at too.

Earlier this season

You have to go all the way back to the first home match of the season for the last time Saturday's two teams played each other.

That day Cheltenham followed up a narrow opening day defeat to Leyton Orient with a 4-1 win.

All five goals came in the second half with Scunthorpe opening the scoring ten minutes after the interval through Lee Novak.

Ryan Broom levelled on 68 minutes, and Charlie Raglan made it 2-1 three minutes later. Two minutes after that Alex Addai installed some daylight when he made it 3-1.

Cheltenham's fourth goal came through Conor Thomas with the midfielder showing his impressive ability from the penalty spot again to make it 4-1 in stoppage time.

Watch the highlights from that meeting back in August:

Tickets

Ticket prices on a matchday at The Sands Venue Stadium are as follows:

Adults £25
Seniors/U21s/Students £17
U18s £8
U12s (2 per paying adult) Free

Robins fans booked on the Travel Club coach heading to the game are advised that it leaves from the car park at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10am.

Coverage

Keep up to date with everything at the Sands Venue Stadium by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. Score updates will also be available on the CTFC Facebook page.

Tune in to match commentary online on iFollow by purchasing an audio match pass.

After the match you can visit the club website to read a match report and hear from manager Michael Duff.

Match highlights will also be available on iFollow on the club website shortly after the match.


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