This Saturday Southend United face a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive as the Shrimpers make the long trip up to Lincolnshire to take on already relegated Scunthorpe United.
Kevin Maher's men were dealt a blow in midweek with a frustrating 2-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic. This result twinned with Bromley's draw at FC Halifax Town means Blues are now four points outside the playoffs with two games left to play.
However there is still hope for Southend as they take on 23rd place Scunthorpe and 14th place Wealdstone United before the season's end; whilst playoff rivals Bromley still have to play 3rd place Chesterfield and in-form Oldham.
As well as this 8th place Eastleigh take on Solihull Moors - a club they are five games without a win against - and Halifax who have only lost once since the end of February.
Despite the fact they are winless in two games on the road, Southend are still considered an in-form side due to them losing just one in five. However their away form leaves much to be desired with the Seasiders winning just one of their past seven games on the road - a 2-0 win over a Yeovil Town outfit that have since been relegated.
Scunthorpe's recent results make for even more grim reading. The Iron were a football league club last season but back-to-back relegations means they'll be playing National League North football for the first time in their history next term.
A 2-0 loss at home to Oldham on Easter Monday sentenced Jimmy Dean's side to relegation, and a 2-1 defeat at Aldershot Town last Saturday was their fourth on the bounce.
Despite this Scunthorpe haven't performed too badly at Glanford Park recently; winning two of their past four games on home turf. However they have lost back to back games at home, failing to score in either of these contests.
Scunthorpe could still finish 22nd in the table and make their finish look a little bit more respectable. Although this can only be achieved if they win both their final games whilst Yeovil lose theirs. It would also require a huge goal swing in the Iron's favour due to their vastly inferior goal difference.
On paper all factors point towards a Southend win especially given that the Shrimpers cruised to a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture back in October. However Blues' recent record at Scunthorpe suggests there may be a loss pending for the South Essex outfit.
Southend are winless in their past 19 trips to Scunthorpe, with the Shrimpers last winning at the Lincolnshire side in 1983. On that day the Seasiders ran out 6-1 winners a score line their supporters will be keen for them to repeat.
Southend's wait for a clean sheet at Scunthorpe stretches back even longer with Blues last achieving a shutout at the Iron in 1972 - 22 games have been played since then.
The Shrimpers were so close to breaking their Scunthorpe hoodoo in their last trip to Glanford Park in March 2021 but the hosts snatched a last minute equaliser with their only shot on target. Had Southend won this game they would have finished level on points with Scunthorpe but would've been relegated to the National League regardless due to the Iron's superior goal difference.
However even though this result may have felt like a defeat in the grand scheme of things, Southend have actually only lost one of their past six meetings with the men from Glanford Park.
Key Players
Reagan Ogle
Scunthorpe's right back Regan Ogle has been a regular for the Iron so far this campaign making the joint second most appearances in the squad - with only experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield appearing more often for United this term.
The Australian born defender came through the ranks at Accrington Stanley making four first team appearances for the Lancashire based club.
During his time at the Wham Stadium Ogle enjoyed loan spells with the likes of Wealdstone, AFC Fylde and Altrincham.
In July 2021 Ogle made the switch to the North East to represent Hartlepool United and the 24 year old made 24 appearances for the League Two side during his time there.
In the summer Ogle made the drop to represent Scunthorpe and despite appearing regularly since then he will be hoping he can find his first Scunny goal against Southend on Saturday.
Jack Bridge
Southend's top scorer, Jack Bridge, is a man in form right now with the winger bagging four goals in as many games.
With the Shrimpers' frontline lacking in form of late Bridge has had to step up and lead Southend to some important results. Examples of their attackers' poor form can be shown by their lack of goals. Dan Mooney hasn't scored since November, Callum Powell hasn't scored since February, Chris Wreh hasn't scored since December and Harry Cardwell hasn't scored since March.
Consequently Bridge's 12 goals have been vital for Blues and this month has seen him score in wins over Maidstone United and Dagenham & Redbridge as well as scoring the equaliser in the Shrimpers' 1-1 draw at Woking on Easter Monday.
After coming through the youth system at Southend, Bridge would make seven first team appearances for Blues before spending time with Northampton Town, Carlisle United, Concord Rangers and Bromley prior to his return to Roots Hall last summer.
If Southend want to keep their playoff hopes alive than Bridge retaining his goalscoring form will be vital.
They've played for both
Liam Feeney
The only current member of either squad to have represented both clubs, Liam Feeney made the move to Glanford Park in January 2022.
Since making the switch the 36 year old has experienced two relegations with his experience not enough to steer Scunny away from both the League Two and the National League drop zones.
It's not certain that Feeney will appear against his old club tomorrow as he has only made 20 appearances this term but he did appear as a substitute in the Iron's loss at Aldershot last week.
Feeney had a short stint at Southend in 2008 on loan from Salisbury Town. During his time at Roots Hall the midfielder made a solitary appearance as a substitute in a defeat at Leicester City.
Numerous players have represented both Scunthorpe and Southend in recent times but wear a different crest upon their chest or have retired.
Sam Mantom
Midfielder who now plays his trade in non-league with Rushall Olympic, Sam Mantom made the direct move from Glanford Park to Roots Hall in 2018 following a successful loan spell.
The now 31 year old spent two years at Scunthorpe following a successful three years in the Black Country with Walsall.
Mantom was part of the Southend side that infamously achieved the great escape against Sunderland in 2019 as well as being part of the Shrimpers squad that got relegated under Sol Campbell the following campaign.
Stephen Humphrys
The man that scored that winning goal against Sunderland; Stephen Humphry moved to Southend permanently from Fulham in 2019.
The striker was part of the Shrimpers side that were relegated from League Two with a whimper in 2019/20.
Just prior to his time at Roots Hall, Humphrys had a loan spell at Scunthorpe from Fulham during which time he netted four goals in 16 games.
The 25 year old now represents Scottish club Heart of Midlothian on loan from Wigan Athletic.
Tom Hopper
Finally there is current Colchester United striker Tom Hopper.
The 29 year old joined Scunny in 2015 from Leicester City following a successful loan spell. During his time at Glanford Park Hopper would make over 100 appearances for the Iron before moving to Southend.
Hopper endured an injury hit spell at Southend following a bright start to the 2018/19 season.
Hopper moved to Colchester in January 2023 from Lincoln City.
Form
Scunthorpe United
L - 0-1 vs Torquay United (H)
L - 0-2 vs Gateshead (A)
L - 0-2 vs Oldham Athletic (H)
L - 1-2 vs Aldershot Town (A)
Southend United
W - 2-0 vs Maidstone United (H)
D - 1-1 vs Woking (A)
W - 2-0 vs Dagenham & Redbridge (H)
L - 0-2 vs Oldham Athletic (A)
Head-to-head
22/10/2022: Southend United 3-0 Scunthorpe United
20/03/2021: Scunthorpe United 1-1 Southend United
12/12/2020: Southend United 1-0 Scunthorpe United
12/03/2019: Scunthorpe United 4-1 Southend United
27/11/2018: Southend United 2-0 Scunthorpe United
By Nathan Williams
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