The start of a new season is something all football fans look forward to. This is particularly true for fans of non-league football, who will be keen to see their side back in competitive action after the summer break.
Many fans will also be looking forward to not only watching non-league games again but betting on them too. Placing bets on football matches is something that has gone on for a long time and can bring added excitement to any contest.
This is true whether you are backing your favourite side to win or finding ways to spice up a game involving two sides you do not usually follow. If you plan to do this in the new season, just remember to find top bookmakers for UK punters to use first.
Doing this will ensure you place bets somewhere that is not only safe and easy to use but has all the non-league action to get involved with. Although there are many fantastic non-league competitions to watch and bet on, the National League looks to be in for another cracking year.
One game that stands out already is Woking vs Scunthorpe on 16 August 2022. But what can we expect to see from this contest?
Scunthorpe looking to bounce back in 2022/23
There is no doubt that Scunthorpe United suffered a pretty torrid season last time out. As the year unfolded, they quickly got stuck in a poor run of form, which saw them sink to the bottom of League 2.
New manager Keith Hill could not stop the rot and the club were eventually relegated to the National League. With a record of just four wins from 46 games, and a -61 goal difference in 2021/22, this was no surprise!
This means that they will be motivated to bounce back in the coming season and clinch promotion to League 2. They will certainly not want to spend too long outside of the EPL and risk making it harder to make the climb back.
All this leaves expectations pretty high around Glanford Park for a decent promotion push in 2022/23.
Who have Scunthorpe signed over summer?
Key to any promotion push will be the new faces who arrive before this game is played – especially after Scunthorpe's decision to release 10 players over summer. Their leaky defence from their last campaign certainly means reinforcements in this area will be welcome.
Keith Hill has realised this and signed Andrew Boyce at centre-back from fellow National League side Eastleigh. Boyce is sure to bring some much-needed experience and leadership to the team's backline.
Colin Daniel looks a good signing at left-back from League 1 side Exeter City, and Marcus Dewhurst from Sheffield United is a top young prospect in goal. When you also add in the signing of midfielders Jacob Butterfield and Elliott Whitehouse, the side looks to have a nice blend of youth plus experience.
Woking – what might we see from them in 2022/23?
Although they might not have suffered as bad a season as Scunthorpe last time out, Woking's 2021/22 season was not inspiring. Patchy form saw them sack manager Alan Dowson in February 2022 and replace him with Darren Sarll.
It's fair to say things picked up after his arrival but the side still finished 15th overall.
The key thing to note for Cards fans is that the club are making steady progress after their 2018/19 promotion from the National League South. It is also reasonable to say that fans will be expecting a push for promotion to League 2 this campaign.
After a few years settling back into the National League, this could be the year to really push on for Woking.
Who have Woking signed over summer?
There is no doubt that there have been major changes at the side over the last few weeks. Multiple out of contract players have not been retained and manager Darren Sarll has been active in the transfer market.
Top priority was replacing Tahvon Campbell's goals and James Daly from Stevenage could be the answer. Sarll has also signed experienced striker Pádraig Amond from Newport and he should bring a wealth of know-how with him in the Cards' search for goals.
With reinforcements arriving at the back and across midfield, Woking appear to be a completely reinvigorated side coming into their match with Scunthorpe.
Woking vs Scunthorpe United – what might happen?
It is always hard to say for sure what will happen in early season games. Although both teams have enjoyed a moderately successful pre-season, they might still be finding their rhythm in competitive matches when they meet.
In addition, you have to factor in how the couple of games each will have played before this one influence proceedings.
If Scunthorpe win against Yeovil and Maidenhead, for example, they might be in red-hot form to blow Woking away. The same could be true of Woking, though, who might be on top form after confidence-boosting wins in their opening games.
One thing it seems reasonable to expect is a high-scoring affair that is hotly contested. In pre-season, both sides have scored lots but also conceded goals.
Scunthorpe, for example, have scored 11 but conceded eight, while Woking have netted seven and conceded six. This means plenty of goals seem assured and an exciting game should be likely.
This looks to be a hotly contested game because of the ambitions that both sides harbour for promotion. Although it is not a local derby, the desire to start well and occupy a high position in the table from the off could see tackles flying in.
Scunthorpe, in particular, will be eager to win and show their class at this level.
Which players could make the difference?
This game has a few players who could make the difference come full time. For Scunthorpe, forward Joe Nuttall could be key and provide the goals his side needs to win. Young players Reagan Ogle and Charlie Burden-Whittleton could also catch the eye, though.
Both players scored in a recent 5-1 pre-season win over Farsley Celtic and looked to be full of energy, pace and youthful vigour. Andrew Boyce could be key for the Irons at the back, and his partnership with George Taft could help keep Woking at bay.
For Woking, it seems that Scott Cuthbert's recent arrival could be key. His tough tackling and leadership qualities should help Darren Sarll's side help keep free-flowing Scunthorpe quiet.
At the other end of the pitch, you have to see experienced goal-scorer Pádraig Amond as Woking's best threat. He has consistently scored goals wherever he has played and you would not be surprised to see him find the net in this game.
Woking vs Scunthorpe – who will win?
At this point in the season, it is very hard to say for sure who might come out on top. Both sides have recruited well over summer and have excellent managers in charge who will be eager for a promotion push in 2022/23.
A lot will depend on the form they come into the game with, and any relevant injury or team news at the time. It would not be surprising, though, to see Scunthorpe's strong desire to erase the misery of last year's relegation give them the edge.
