Let’s be honest, everyone in the National League North wants Scunthorpe (The Iron) to stay in the National League North. It brings more eyes and ears to the league and also a huge following.

Last year it was a huge disappointment for full-time Scunthorpe by not getting promoted. It was clearly their aim with the players that arrived in the summer of 23 (Not quite the same ring as “summer of 69”) but when it all went wrong in the playoffs it meant a raft of changes in the summer, especially once their ban on signing players was lifted.

The first change was the manager, Andy Butler stepping up from first team coach after the departure of Jimmy Dean. Some saw Butler as the “cheap” option, but those at the club clearly saw something and their start to the season has nearly been perfect. The emergence of “Butler Ball” is now certainly something The Iron faithful are shouting about.

As for players, the majority of those into the club have come from the league above (Brad Nicholson – Boston, Joe Rowley – Fylde and Max Brogan – Solihull Moors) which (on paper) should show signs of quality incomings, and, some big names left (Reagan Ogle and Jacob Butterfield) meaning the squad and tactic has a whole new feel.

They go into this one top of the league and flying, beating Kidderminster 2-0 at home on Friday night under the NLTV cameras and in front of a crowd of nearly 5000, something The Nash can (currently) only dream about. Their defence and Ross Fitzsimons proving almost impossible to break through, conceding just 1 in the opening 6.

On paper this really is David vs. Goliath, but let us now refer to the winner of that classic battle…

Currently 2nd in the table and flying high, Curzon Ashton go into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory away at Rushall. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts getting off the mark for The Nash which will see his confidence grow and the saviour, Adam (Jesus) Barton rising highest to get the winner. The game itself though was full of chances for Curzon and they will be disappointed to have not scored more with Jimmy Spencer having 3 / 4 chances himself, but the attacking intent was certainly there.

Last season there were two separate 1-0 victories for The Nash. At the Tameside player/manager Craig Mahon with the winner in quite simply biblical conditions especially in the 2nd half (see here) and away at Scunthorpe ex Iron, Spencer nodding in the winner.

With lots of games in quick succession, Mahon will have a decision to make on players fitness, especially as The Iron will have had an extra day’s rest and are full time. Even more that potentially sways the game in Scunthorpe’s favour some might say….

This one really should be a classic and everyone likes an upset right?
#UTN|#TheNash

Match Preview by Oli Biddle