BLUES MATCH PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE UNITED v CHESTER FC

It’s a crunch match at the top of the table this Saturday, as Chester FC make the trip to the Attis Arena, the home of Scunthorpe United.

Calum McIntyre’s men will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to ten games this weekend but face a challenging test in the form of the division’s second placed team.

It could potentially be a record-breaking afternoon in Lincolnshire as both sides are attempting to break the attendance record for the National League North in a regular league game. The record currently stands at 6,311 but with around 1,000 Chester fans expected, there’s a huge possibility of an unprecedented crowd number for this league.

THE OPPOSITION

Scunthorpe United comfortably sit in second place in the league and they are ten points away from first place Tamworth, whilst also having a game in hand.

Jimmy Dean’s side are striving for a swift return to the National League after being relegated last year. This season has seen them battling at the positive end of the table, a welcome change for fans of ‘The Iron’, as they experienced three relegations in five years.

They have struggled for wins as of late, only winning three out of their last ten league games, but they did snatch a last minute 1-0 win against fellow promotion chasers Alfreton Town last weekend.

Despite the dip in form, United are the highest scorers in the league with 61 goals scored across the season.

THE GAFFER

Jimmy Dean joined Saturday’s opposition in January 2023, with an impressive track record in his relatively short managerial career.

After becoming manager in 2015, he guided fellow National League North outfit Peterborough Sports to four promotions and 11 trophies during his tenure, earning the reputation as one of the best in non-league.

The 41-year-old has overcome the struggles of last season, both on and off the pitch including relegation from the National League, to transform his side into promotion contenders once again.

ONE TO WATCH

Centre back Will Evans is coming into this game off the back of an inspired performance last weekend. A clean sheet and a last-minute header for Evans was the difference in a narrow 1-0 victory over Alfreton. That display alongside another strong performance and clean sheet against Scarborough Athletic a few weeks ago has seen Evans enter a rich vein of form.

The 32-year-old joined the Iron at the start of this campaign and has been a consistent performer for manager Jimmy Dean. The defender, who is also equally as comfortable in central midfield, has enjoyed a career primarily in the National League, having stints with the likes of Chesterfield, Boreham Wood and Aldershot Town.

Scunthorpe’s top league goal scorer is Danny Whitehall, with 14 goals to his name this season. As previously mentioned, they boast the best goal record in the league, with several players on the pitch being capable of finding the back of the net.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Chester FC l W16 D11 L9 l F45 A26 l Pos: 4^th

Last Three

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 1-2 | Scorers: Ben Tollitt, Elliott Whitehouse

Hereford (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Elliott Whitehouse

Spennymoor Town (H) l D 1-1 l Scorers: Christian Norton

Scunthorpe United l W19 D8 L8 l F61 A28 l Pos:2^nd 

Last Three

Scarborough Athletic (A) l D 0-0 l Scorers: None

South Shields (A) l L 2-1 l Scorers: Dion Sembie-Ferris

Alfreton Town (H) l W 1-0 l Scorers: Will Evans

Match preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at Glanford Park on Saturday.

The postcode for the ground is DN15 8TD.

ADMISSION DETAILS

It is Community Day at Scunthorpe United this weekend; and admission prices have kindly been reduced to £15 adults, £10 concessions, £5 U18s and free for U12s.

With almost 900 of our 1,000 away allocation sold, make sure you get yours online asap, as we hope to be a part of a National League North record season crowd! The current record stands at 6,311, set in March 2019 at Stockport County vs Spennymoor Town.

Please note that all three Chester FC away travel buses have been filled, and no more will be running for this fixture.