The LNER Stadium plays host to the final of this season’s Lincolnshire Senior County Cup on Tuesday evening, as National League North outfit Scunthorpe United face Northern Premier League East Division side Cleethorpes Town.
Both sides sit top of their respective divisions. The Iron are two points clear of Chester at the summit of the northern half of England’s sixth tier, after winning in front of a packed house at the weekend, while the Owls are nine points clear of Emley AFC in step four.
United are hoping to retain their spot as County Cup champions, having defeated Spalding United 3-2 at the home of Lincoln City in last season’s final.
Cleethorpes are two time winners of the competition, winning it back-to-back in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Scunthorpe United fans have been allocated what is usually the away end at the LNER Stadium, taking their place in the Stacey West Stand. And, Cleethorpes fans will be situated in the Greenlinc Renewables Stand.
The Road to The Final:
Round 1: Scunthorpe were given a bye, while Cleethorpes beat Grimsby Borough 3-2 back in September.
Round 2: The Barrett Steel Stadium, Bottesford Town’s home ground, was the backdrop for a Humber Derby – with Scunthorpe coming away 3-1 winners against Grimsby Town. Cleethorpes knocked out a Lincoln City academy team at the LNER Stadium, the contest ending 4-0 to the visitors.
Semi-Finals: The Owls and Stamford AFC played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Cleethorpes winning 4-3 on penalties. Spalding United forfeited their home tie against the Iron.
In Profile: Scunthorpe United
Under the management of Andy Butler, Scunthorpe United are hoping to go one better than last term and win automatic promotion to the National League.
In the 2023/24 campaign, the Iron finished second in the table then lost the play-off semi-final on penalties to Boston United.
In league action this campaign, Scunthorpe have the best defensive record in the National League North, are the third highest scorers and have seen goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons secure 23 clean sheets in 40 games.
Former Notts County and Aberdeen midfielder Callum Roberts has 19 league goals to his name this season, while striker Danny Whitehall has 14.
In the single game of their run to the final that they played, Butler fielded a rotated team.
In Profile: Cleethorpes Town
Cleethorpes are runaways at the summit of the Northern Premier League East Division, only tasting defeat five times this season in their 35 games so far.
Top scorer Josh Walker has netted 23 times in 43 appearances in all competitions this season, having remained with the club in the summer amid interest from elsewhere.
With seven goals in 32 games so far this campaign, one-time Scotland under-19s international Will Annan is a key player from attacking midfield.
New signing Alfie Taylor, a 21-year-old centre back who has made the temporary switch from Hull City for the remainder of the season, made his debut as a substitute in the Owl’s 3-1 comeback win against Ashington on Saturday.
Follow for coverage of the final on Tuesday, March 25, including live updates on our X (formerly known as Twitter) account.