Blues Match Preview: Scunthorpe United v Chester FC

The top two in the National League North go head-to-head on Saturday, as Chester FC travel to Scunthorpe United for what is set to be a record-breaking clash.

Calum McIntyre’s men bounced back in fine style after a defeat at Chorley with two home wins on the spin, a 3-1 victory over Warrington Town and a 1-0 success to overcome Leamington.

The Iron currently sit two points above of Chester at the summit of the division, but suffered their first defeat since early January in midweek at Kidderminster Harriers.

Over 1,450 Seals are set make the trip to Lincolnshire with the number of overall tickets sold at over 8,000, which would be a new record for the league.league record.

THE OPPOSITION

Scunthorpe have led the way in the National League North at various points this campaign under the stewardship of Andy Butler.

A run of 13 games unbeaten led up to their midweek disappointment at Aggborough, a streak which included impressive victories over Brackley Town, South Shields and Darlington.

Glanford Park has been a fortress for the Iron, with just a single home loss to their name this campaign, a dramatic defeat to Buxton courtesy of a hat-trick from Cian Coleman.

Scunthorpe’s 72-year stay in the Football League came to an end in 2022 and financial struggles led to back-to-back relegations, before play-off defeat to fellow-Lincolnshire outfit Boston United denied an immediate return to the fifth tier.

The club featured in the Championship as recently as the 2010-11 campaign, when they were managed by Nigel Adkins.

THE GAFFER

Andy Butler has been at the helm at Glanford Park since last summer after the departure of Jimmy Dean.

A former player and coach at the club, Butler was promoted to the managerial role for the Iron’s assault on promotion this campaign.

The 41-year-old’s first role in management came at Doncaster Rovers Belles in January 2020.

A stint of over three years followed before he resigned in order to move to a role in Scunthorpe’s coaching setup.

As a player, Butler made over 100 appearances for Scunthorpe, Walsall and Doncaster Rovers, where he operated as a defender.

ONE TO WATCH

Callum Roberts has undoubtedly been the Iron’s most dangerous weapon this season, adding pace and creativity on the right wing with a keen eye for goal. 

The 27-year-old has 26 goal contributions so far this term in 37 appearances.

A plethora of his 18 goals have come at important times for the Lincolnshire-based side, recently in tight wins over Leamington, and Scarborough Athletic.

Roberts is a product of the Newcastle United academy and prior to his exploits at Glanford Park he featured for Blyth Spartans, Notts County and Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.

The forward made two appearances for Newcastle’s first team in the FA Cup and got on the scoresheet once in a 4-2 win over Blackburn Rovers in January 2019.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Scunthorpe United | W21 D12 L6 | F63 A27 | Pos: 1st

Last three

Alfreton Town (A) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Carlton Ubaezuonu, Kian Scales

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Callum Roberts, Kian Scales

Kidderminster Harriers (A) | L 1-0 | Scorers: None

Chester FC | W21 D10 L8 | F61 A37 | Pos: 2nd

Last three

Chorley (A) | L 3-2 | Scorers: Tom Peers x2

Warrington Town (H) | W 3-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Taelor O’Kane, Dan Mooney

Leamington (H) |  W 1-0 | Scorers: Connell Rawlinson

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at the Attis Arena on Saturday.

The postcode for the ground is DN15 8TD.