TT MATCH PREVIEW – Scunthorpe United (A) by Steve Harris

TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at Glanford Park

SCUNTHORPE UNITED VS TORQUAY UNITED

Venue: Glanford Park, Scunthorpe

Date: Saturday 1st April 2023 – 3pm

CURRENT FORM

Scunthorpe: L, W, L, W, L, D

Torquay: D, L, L, D, L, W

TOP SCORERS

Scunthorpe: Joe Nuttall (9)

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (14)

HEAD TO HEAD

Scunthorpe: 31

Draw: 18

Torquay: 16

SCUNTHORPE FACTFILE

Year founded: 1899

Nickname: The Iron

Last season’s league finish: 24^th in League Two

Notable honours:

Division Three/Division Two/League One:

Winners: 2006-07

Division Three North:

Winners: 1957-58

Division Four/Division Three/League Two:

Runners-up: 2004-05, 2013-14

Football League Trophy:

Runners-Up: 2008-09

MANAGER: JIMMY DEAN

Former Peterborough Sports boss Jimmy Dean was appointed as the Scunthorpe United manager in January 2023 after succeeding interim boss Michael Nelson.

Whilst in charge of Peterborough Sports, Dean won four promotions in five full seasons which saw the club reach National League North.

PLAYER TO WATCH: JACOB BUTTERFIELD

After gracing the Championship with the likes of Barnsley, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town, Derby County earlier in his career, Jacob Butterfield will be looking to make his experience count for the Iron in the 2022-23 campaign.

In more recent times, Butterfield, 32, has appeared in Australia with Melbourne Victory and has also had a spell north of the border with St Johnstone before he joined Scunthorpe in the summer following a successful trial spell.

BUTTERFIELD STATS:

Position: Central Midfield

Date of Birth: 10th June 1990 – 32 years-old

Place of Birth: Bradford

Height: 1.80m

Former Clubs: Man Utd, Barnsley, Norwich, Bolton, Crystal Palace, Middlesbro, Huddersfield, Derby, Sheff Wed, Bradord, Luton, Melbourne, St Johnstone

NL Stats 22-23: Played 38, Goals 4, Yellow/Red Cards 6/0

OLD BOYS

Scunthorpe: None

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis

LAST MEETING

Torquay United 1-1 Scunthorpe United

Saturday 1st October 2022

It proved to be a birthday to remember for Scunthorpe’s Alfie Beestin as he marked the occasion by securing a point for the Iron against Torquay United.

Beestin, who was celebrating turning 25, struck in the 49^th minute to cancel out Dan Martin’s fourth minute opener for the Gulls in what was a relegation ‘six-pointer’ at Plainmoor.

Torquay made a perfect start as Martin capped a flowing move down the left hand side to score his first goal for the club on four minutes.

Taking the lead lifted the hosts as Kieron Evans and Dylan Crowe combined down the right as Crowe produced a cross that was tipped over the bar by Iron keeper Marcus Dewhurst moments later.

Torquay striker Aaron Jarvis looked well placed to score against his former club on 28 minutes, after being teed up by Evans, only to be denied by Dewhurst.

In the 37^th minute, the Iron threatened an equaliser as Joe Nuttall looked to set up Caolan Lavery, but Gulls keeper Mark Halstead dived at Lavery’s feet before the danger was cleared.

In the second half, the Iron levelled matters as Beestin found the target after Rob Apter saw his initial effort blocked four minutes after the re-start.

On 55 minutes, Scunthorpe looked well placed to take the lead through Lavery, but Scott Smith denied him with a goal line clearance.

The Gulls were a whisker away from regaining their lead in the 62^nd minute when a low cross from Dean Moxey eluded everyone in the box.

Moments later, Beestin hit the post for the Iron before Gulls sub Ben Wyatt cleared the danger.

With three minutes to go, Jarvis came agonisingly close to restoring Torquay’s lead, as his header from a free-kick from Wyatt looped over.

In injury time, Nuttall, George Taft and Reagan Ogle were all denied by some stoic defending from the Gulls’ backline and a top drawer save from Halstead as the points were shared.