Preview | Scunthorpe United FC (H) | National League North | 2023/24

Blyth Spartans are finally set to face Scunthorpe United in the National League North at the third time of asking on Tuesday night.

The Spartans 5-2 defeat on Saturday against Hereford has left Jon Shaw's side with three losses in a row.

Ticket Information

You can buy tickets with cash or card at the gate on the day or online here. All ticket information is as follows:

• Adults - £15 standing
• Concessions (over 65) - £9
• 11-16 Years & Students - £6
• Under-10s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

To be seated in the Port of Blyth main stand, an extra £2 cost will be incurred for each category.

Segregation will be in place, meaning away fans must only enter the ground via the Plessey Road turnstiles with the entrance situated next to Gino's Fish and Chip shop, as access to other areas of Croft Park will not be permitted, more information regarding this can be viewed here.

Original tickets purchased from the previous two postponed fixtures remain valid.

If any away fan requires a seated ticket or disability access, please notify [email protected] in advance.

Team News

Alex Mitchell, JJ O'Donnell, Michael Liddle and JJ Hooper will be unavailable for Tuesday's clash against Scunthorpe.

What We're Saying

Following a 5-2 defeat on the road against Hereford, Jon Shaw said: "Well, we're obviously hurt in there.

"I don't think the score is necessarily a true reflection of the game, in the fact that they've scored five, you know they're not a bad side and I'm not going to stand here and say we were the better team over the course of the game, because I think there was not much in it today.

"We played well in spells, I think they played their game effectively in spells, but we've given four goals away out of the five. I'm giving them the one from the set-piece, which I don't like conceding from set-pieces, but I think when you watch the goals back, four of them are really individual errors."

Jon Shaw's post-match assessment of Saturday's 5-2 defeat against Hereford FC

Opposition

The Iron were an EFL Championship club just 13 years ago and have been on a downward spiral since, with five relegations in that period. They now reside in the National League North where they have found their footing and may be on the rise again.

In the 2021/22 season, Scunthorpe was playing in EFL League 2, but back-to-back relegations saw them sit bottom of League 2 and the following year they finished 23rd in the Vanarama National League, relegating them to the National League North.

Since their defeat in the FA Trophy to Solihull Moors, Scunthorpe have lost just two of their last nine league matches. The Iron also sit second in the National League North with 60 points, 10 points behind league leaders Tamworth.

What They're Saying

After their 2-0 win at home to Rushall Olympic, Jimmy Dean said: "It's a big three points.

"There's no getting away from it, the first half was unacceptable. We were off it with the ball, looked a bit nervy and edgy in our performance. Without the ball, we were three or four yards off, particularly in midfield. At half-time, I've had my say and pointed out three or four fundamental areas where we had to be better.

"In the second half, we did it and got up the pitch a bit better, and in the end, I think that three points are deserved, and a clean sheet. We take it, and we needed it. Mentally, we needed to win. We've got that, so hopefully we kick on."

See more of Jimmy Dean's post-match assessment of Saturday's 2-0 win over Rushall Olympic here

Last Time We Met

This will be the first meeting between the two sides.

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Tuesday night via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 7:30pm.

There will also be live coverage on National League TV. You can purchase a match pass here.