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Scunthorpe are in a serious battle to maintain their fifth-tier status this season after a difficult start to life in non-league following relegation from League Two last campaign.
United are 23rd in the National League standings, having collected a mere 15 points from 21 matches so far, a tally that leaves them six points from safety heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
Just over a decade ago Scunthorpe were plying their trade in the Championship amongst some of England’s most historic clubs, but now are in a tussle with the likes of Maidstone United and Gateshead to avoid playing regional football next season.
Wealdstone were the latest team to benefit from the Irons’ poor form as they took all three points off Michael Nelson‘s men last weekend by winning 3-1, a scoreline which means Scunthorpe have now conceded two or more goals in five consecutive matches.
Notts County are in a whole different space as a football club, with their side currently battling at the top of the National League as they hope to regain their Football League status for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
An impressive seven-game unbeaten run which stretches back to October has certainly boosted their promotion push, with County now in second place and just a point behind league leaders Wrexham heading into the final month of 2022.
The goals of Macaulay Langstaff have been a constant since the campaign began in August, with the 25-year-old netting 18 times in 20 National League appearances, a record that sees him four ahead of Wrexham’s Paul Mullin in the league’s scoring charts.
Luke Williams‘s men have been effective travellers so far this season, losing just once in 10 outings and collecting 21 points, more than any other side in the division – something Scunthorpe fans will not want to hear ahead of Saturday.
Scunthorpe’s Rob Apter is a doubt for this weekend after missing his team’s defeat at Wealdstone last weekend, an injury issue which saw Joe Nuttall included in the starting XI.
Nuttall is the Irons’ top scorer so far this campaign and will need to make good use of the limited amount of chances he will get against promotion-chasing Notts County to give his side any hope of earning a shock victory.
Notts County supporters spotted defender Connell Rawlinson visiting hospital in the week, with boss Williams confirming the player had suffered a calf knock in a training-ground collision, meaning it is highly doubtful the 31-year-old will be part of the action this weekend
Star man Langstaff is set to lead the line again for County, with the striker looking to add to his 18 league goals against a Scunthorpe side who have been conceding plenty of goals recently.
Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Dewhurst; O’Malley, Boyce, Beestin; Nuttall, Carver, Lavery, Taft, Butterfield; Gallimore, Pugh
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Slocombe; Chicksen, Baldwin, Cameron, Adebayo-Rowling; Palmer, Austin, Scott, Brindley; Langstaff, Rodrigues
In the week that the Bulls lost their most famous ex-player, FA Cup legend Ronnie Radford – 50 years on from his iconic match-winning goal against Newcastle – it briefly looked like there might be some left-over magic in the air.
For seven minutes, the sixth-tier outfit led after Miles Storey’s goal against the team 81 places above them in the English football pyramid in League One.
But Pompey hit back, with Reeco Hackett quickly levelling before second-half goals from Colby Bishop and substitute Joe Pigott earned the twice FA Cup winners a safe passage to Monday’s second-round draw
Making their first trip to Edgar Street in 38 years, Pompey were given a good first-half workout by the fired-up hosts.
Although home keeper Dale Eve had to keep out Hackett’s left-foot curler bound for the top corner, Pompey had a first real scare when Bishop’s challenge on Hereford’s former million-pound marksman Tyrone Barnett in the visitors’ penalty box went unpunished.
And there was worse to follow for Pompey when Hereford took the lead on 26 minutes.
Sean Raggett played a loose pass inside to Hackett, who was immediately closed down and robbed by Storey – and the former Pompey player raced away down the inside-left channel before keeping his cool to nutmeg on-loan West Bromwich Albion keeper Josh Griffiths.
Fittingly, just two days on from the announcement of the sad passing of Hereford’s legendary number 11, their modern-day number 11 emulated his predecessor.
There had already been a minute’s silence, which cascaded into applause from the whole ground, followed by chants of ‘there’s only one Ronnie Radford’ when the clock showed 11 minutes.
But this goal was destined not to prove so famous.
Ronan Curtis headed down Connor Ogilvie’s far-post cross for Hackett to bring down and fire home coolly from six yards.
On 63 minutes, Portsmouth took the lead when, from Clark Robertson’s in-swinging right-foot corner from the left, Bishop timed his run to get there first and head his 10th goal of the season.
And Pigott wrapped up victory 10 minutes from time when, again from a corner by skipper Robertson, Bishop won the initial header before Pigott reacted sharpest to sidefoot home
Hereford FC boss Josh Gowling told BBC Sport:
“I’m really disappointed because we should have got something out of it, but goals change games – and the quality of the delivery they have changes games.
“In the first half we were excellent. We were in the ascendancy and they looked nervous.
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“We were on top and looked like we could go on and win, but we’ve made one mistake, it has cost us a goal and that’s the difference in levels.
“We’ve given them a leg up and a little lift and you could see their performance raise after that.”
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley told BBC Sport:
“I was so sad to hear the news about Ronnie Radford. He was such an iconic figure and he had that iconic moment. For a lot of people my age, his famous goal was their first memories of the FA Cup. But what a brilliant night to celebrate his life