Match Preview: Scunthorpe United vs Worthing FC

As a result of the Reds’ exit from the Emirates FA Cup earlier on in the season, the squad have had an extended period of rest and recuperation between last week’s match against Fulham U21s in the National League Cup and their first league outing of November this weekend.

The Rebels will be aiming to disrupt the celebration of a new era at Glanford Park, with the Iron welcoming recently-appointed manager Andy Preece to Lincolnshire.

Recently on the road Adam Hinshelwood’s side have achieved success, sealing triumphs over Kidderminster Harriers and Gateshead in October to extend their unbeaten run in the league away from the Sussex Transport Community Stadium to five.

However, the Rebels will still be determined to improve and iron out some minor issues against the Iron tomorrow afternoon, following conceding three goals to both Southend United and Sutton United in the last two league fixtures.

Heading into a period of five tests in just a fortnight across multiple competitions, Worthing will be aiming to consolidate their position inside the play-off places with a positive result at the Attis Arena.

The Opposition

Wallowing in the relegation zone and suffering seven losses out of their last eight league matches, Scunthorpe’s start to the season has failed to live up to expectations.

Narrowly losing to eventual promotion clinchers Rochdale in the semi-final of the play-offs in late April, that heart-wrenching result has lingered and wreaked havoc amongst the Iron ranks.

Coupled with losing key players such as top scorer Callum Roberts during the summer, the Lincolnshire outfit’s slow start to the season has resulted in the former EFL side sitting 23rd in the league standings, with only Solihull Moors accruing fewer points this term.

Already seven points away from safety, the hierarchy at Glanford Park opted to relieve Andy Butler of his duties following heavy away defeats to AFC Fylde, Barrow AFC and Tamworth. The manager had developed a strong relationship with the club and supporters, as he led the side back to National League through a promotion final victory over Chester in 2025.

Within touching distance of a return to the EFL seven months ago, Andy Preece’s team ambitions will now have shifted to the more realistic objective of avoiding relegation into the sixth tier.

The Gaffer

A new dawn commences at Glanford Park this weekend, as Andy Preece was appointed as namesake Andy Butler’s successor on Thursday evening.

Tasked with overturning the fortunes of Scunthorpe, Preece has an abundance of experience to utilise and lean upon, having managed over 1000 competitive matches across spells with Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK and Chorley.

His knowledge of the game isn’t just confined to the dugout. A forward during his playing days, Preece turned out in over 500 professional games for the likes of Worcester City, Wrexham, Stockport County, Crystal Palace, Blackpool, Bury and Carlisle United. The 59-year-old has also spent time as Assistant Manager and Director of Football with former employers Chorley

His most notable achievements in management occurred with the Magpies, as he guided them to two National League North play-off campaigns in his four years as manager, losing on both occasions to the eventual winners – Brackley Town and Scunthorpe.

Tomorrow will be Preece’s first match in the dugout back as a National League manager since guiding Southport out at Haig Avenue in 2017.

One to Watch

Vastly experienced forward James Norwood has lead the line with great effect since arriving on a short-term deal in September.

Scoring on his debut in the comprehensive 4-1 victory over Hartlepool United, the 36-year-old is in the midst of a purple patch of form which has yielded three goals in his last four appearances.

After goals in the Enterprise National League defeats to Woking and Boston United, the Englishman also found the net in last weekend’s FA Cup loss away to Port Vale.

However since his first outing in a claret and blue shirt, Norwood hasn’t felt the sweet taste of victory with the Iron for seven matches – a statistic the striker will be hoping to erase.

Previously in the fifth tier, Scunthorpe’s number nine enjoyed a prolific spell with Oldham Athletic, striking 27 times across two seasons prior to a return to the Football League with Fleetwood Town last campaign.

Emerging onto the scene in Sussex in his formative years with Eastbourne Borough and Town, Norwood is most renowned for his stints with Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere Rovers, even winning the League Two Golden Boot accolade in the 2018/19 season courtesy of a 30-goal campaign.

League Form Guide

Scunthorpe United | W3 D1 L11 GD: -11 | Pos: 23rd

League Form: LLLLLL

MD12: Barrow AFC 3-0 Scunthorpe United

MD13: AFC Fylde 2-0 Scunthorpe United

MD14: Scunthorpe United 2-3 Woking | Scorers: James Norwood & Luke Brennan

MD15: Tamworth 4-1 Scunthorpe United | Scorers: Alfie Beestin

MD16: Boston 2-1 Scunthorpe United | Scorers: James Norwood

Worthing FC | W8 D4 L4 GD: +7 | Pos: 6th

League Form: LDWWW

MD12: Gateshead 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Jack Wadham & Alex Lankshear (O.G)

MD13: Worthing FC 5-0 Solihull Moors | Scorers: Cory Adjetey-Brew x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Ricky Aguiar & Dom Hutchinson

MD14: Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Worthing FC | Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft & Cory Adjetey-Brew

MD15: Worthing FC 3-3 Southend United | Scorers: Dominic Johnson-Fisher, Cory Adjetey-Brew & Jordan Young

MD16: Worthing FC 0-3 Sutton United

View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood

“We want to get back into our patterns, our identity and have the bravery to implement our game plan.”

HOW TO FOLLOW

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.

Or if you prefer, you can watch Behind- the-Scenes access over on our Instagram account.

You can also listen to live commentary through the club’s official commentary service.