MATCH-PREVIEW: Saturday 28th March 2026 – FC Halifax Town vs Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United: Current position 5th – P40 W21 D11 L8 F73 A57 GD16 PTS74
After what could be described as a ‘rocky’ period in February, The Iron have got themselves back-on-track in March. Four wins, a draw and one loss (1-2 at home to Sutton United) have seen Andy Butler’s men all but confirm a Playoff place.
On drawing 2-2 from 0-2 down against current league leaders Rochdale on Wednesday night Butler felt Scunthorpe, “…matched them toe-to-toe”. Most crucially from said post-match interview he disclosed that, “I saw a stat the other day that [The Iron have gained] 25, or 26 points from losing positions this season”. He was happy with the shape, discipline, and desire to fight back. He also singled out Alfie Beestin for praise who has three goals in his last four (and eight for the season), but the main goalscoring threat season-wide comes via Callum Roberts (17) and Danny Whitehall (18).
On the imminent involvement of Scunny in the Playoffs, Butler adds, “cement 5th place, higher, if possible, if we get a home draw ‘great’. We can compete with everyone, maybe not necessarily beat everyone, but we can compete!”.
On Town, “Halifax will be pushing, they’ve Will Harris scoring goals up top, and we’ve had some battle with Adam and his staff before [referring to Scunthorpe’s matchups in the Enterprise National League North versus Lakeland’s Kings Lynn Town].
FC Halifax Town: Current position 8th – P40 W18 D8 L14 F62 A56 GD6 PTS62
Part two of the crucial home season-defining double-header. The Shaymen can count themselves unlucky to not at least have gained a point versus 3rd place Carlisle United on Tuesday night. Like Forest Green Rovers back in August previous, one of the sides’ best home displays has resulted in a defeat with Lakeland adding,
“I’m gutted for the players there, I’m proud of how we’ve played. The best team lost particularly in that second half”.
He added he was, “disappointed with how easy the ball has gone in the goal off [Regan] Linney and they have snatched a 1-0 win. Let’s have it right – we were the better team there against Carlisle United who have got… I don’t know how many times bigger budget than us”.
The Shaymen as mentioned in previews previous still boast a current 25 goal Striker in Will Harris, 16 from Midfield by Josh Hmami who traditionally line-up alongside the talents of Jay Turner-Cooke and Cody Johnson among others. Halifax also have three wins and a loss since the loan signing of Ash Pamer with that move one Lakeland would ‘love to extend until the end of the season’.
Record appearance holder Sam Johnson will tick over 485 matches (166 clean sheets) between the sticks should he feature Saturday, with ever-present Midfielder Will Hugill in line to make his 50th of the campaign so far.
Prediction – As mentioned above, The Iron have picked up form in the month of March and will be a tough proposition come the weekend. Whitehall, Roberts, and Beestin also form a formidable attack and the team as whole have been ‘in and around’ those top 5 places all season. Like Carlisle being 3rd on Tuesday for a reason, Scunny are in 5th for the same – they are there on merit. They are 12 points clear of Southend/Halifax with 18 left to play for prior to Saturday, so a win at The Shay would make it 15 clear with 15 to play for in their advantage over Town – Southend still have two (three come Saturday night) games in hand on both.
Whilst citing the word ‘merit’, it is one that can be attributed to The Shaymen also. They came into this Carlisle/Scunny double-header in perfect form. Whilst a defeat Tuesday was difficult to accept in regards the performance, 0-0 would have been the fairer result on reflection. Agreed Town had more of the ball and threatened more often, but they did not get Harris in, or on the ball enough in the 18-yard box. Whilst Jay Turner-Cooke, Cody Johnson, Josh Hmami, and honourable mentions for Thierry Latty-Fairweather and later Owen Bray, trying to penetrate the Cumbrian’s backline it held firm in the final third. As Lakeland also said himself of Tuesday, “on another day…”. If Halifax turn in the same level of performance Saturday, they cannot have given much more to try close and extend gaps on others this past month.
This hunt for 7th place is still Southend United’s to lose, but due to a run of three wins in a row Hartlepool, for now also join Town in hunting The Shrimpers down. Southend once more do not play Saturday due to their FA Trophy Semi-Final involvement (so they will then gain three games in hand). Forest Green Rovers’ loss of form is threatening to drag them into that race too.
Simply put, Town just need to win as many as games as possible with the Southend United home game on the 18th of April looming large (and win that too!).
Match Officials
Referee: Declan Bourne
Assistants: Ryan Aldred / William Murray
Fourth Official: Kavan Hurn
Other National League Fixtures:
All 15.00:
Brackley Town vs Tamworth
Braintree Town vs Carlisle United
Eastleigh vs Forest Green Rovers
Gateshead vs Yeovil Town
Morecambe vs Aldershot Town
Solihull Moors vs Altrincham
Sutton United vs Rochdale
Truro City vs Boreham Wood
York City vs Woking
Next Game
Altrincham vs FC Halifax Town – Friday 3rd April, 3pm kick-off
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