Scunthorpe United travel to Roots Hall fourth in the Nationwide League Division Three table and will be hoping to consolodate that position by doing the double over Blues after last October's 2-0 victory at Glanford Park where goals from Martin Carruthers and Peter Beagrie sealed the points. The match also marked Rob Newman's first ever official game in charge of Southend United. Saturday sees another chance for Blues to win two league games in a row as they look to consolodate a top ten position.
Scunthorpe United make their 18th Football League trip to Roots Hall on Saturday where in the past their have managed five victories, five draws and have been defeated by the Blues seven times. The Iron's first trip to Prittlewell came in January 1965 winning 1-0 thanks to a Barry Thomas goal. In fact Scunthorpe's first three visits resulted in victory for the away side as that 1-0 win was followed up with another 1-0 win in season 1965/66 and a 3-0 win in season 1968/69. However, in August 1969 Blues notched up their first victory over The Iron with the help of a Billy Best hat-trick with Blues winning 3-0 against a Scunthorpe team that included Kevin Keegan. Billy Best was on the scoresheet the following season against Scunthorpe as well although Sunthorpe would draw 2-2 this time with Blues other goal coming from Dave Chambers. Season 1971/72 saw a 3-2 win for Scunthorpe. Bill Garner scored a brace for Blues but a brace from Scunthorpe's Angus Davidson and a single goal from Rod Fletcher gave Scunthorpe both points. Blues got back to winning ways the following season thanks to a Terry Johnson solo effort. Season 1976/77 saw a 1-1 draw with Alan Little hitting Blues goal. A brace from Peter Abbott saw Blues beat Scunthorpe 2-0 in season 1977/78. That was the scoreline also in season 1980/81 when this time Blues goals came from Tony Hadley and Derek Spence. Scunthorpe next visited in February 1984 which resulted in a very dull 0-0 draw. The following season also saw the two sides draw. Steve Phillips gave Blues a half-time lead but Chris Cowling's late goal denied Blues maximum points. Blues got back to winning ways in season 1985/86 thanks to goals from Richard Cadette and Steve Phillips with Steve Cammock scoring Scunthorpe's goal. Cadette was on the scoresheet the following season for Blues, this time scoring a brace. Steve Johnson had equalised Cadette's opening goal by Roy McDonough sealed the victory two minutes from time. Season 1989/90 saw another goalles draw whilst Sheldon’s 29th minute goal gave Scunthorpe maximum points in season 1998/99 while a Martin Carruthers 14th minute strike ensured victory for Blues last season.