Scunthorpe United begin life after manager Andy Butler when they return to Boston United on Saturday, just two weeks after winning 3-1 at the Jakemans Community Stadium in the FA Cup. Senior players Jacob Butterfield and Ross Barrows have been placed in interim charge of the Iron following Butler’s dismissal on Wednesday, with the National League fixture kicking off at 5.30pm.
Butler was relieved of his duties following Scunthorpe’s 4-1 defeat at Tamworth on Tuesday, their fourth successive league loss. The Iron conceded twice inside 14 minutes through Morgan Roberts and Kieren Donnelly before Tom McGlinchey added a third shortly before half-time. Alfie Beestin pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, but substitute Dan Creaney completed the scoring late on.
Scunthorpe had opportunities to reduce the deficit after the interval, with substitute Patrick Jones forcing Jonathan Macaulay into a save before striking the post. The defeat followed losses to Woking, AFC Fylde and Barrow, leaving the Iron 22nd in the National League with 10 points from 14 matches.
The club confirmed Butterfield and Barrows as its interim management team on Thursday. Butterfield returned to Scunthorpe in the summer as a player-coach, having previously spent two seasons at the club, while Barrows came through the Iron’s academy before returning ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Their first assignment is against opponents Scunthorpe beat in the FA Cup on 17 October.
Boston ended their six-match league winless run with a 2-1 home victory over Gateshead on Tuesday. Former Pilgrims striker Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila had put the visitors ahead in the 36th minute, but substitute Tom Cursons equalised in the 79th after Jack Holmes’s effort was saved. Cursons then struck again five minutes into stoppage time to complete the comeback.
The brace took Cursons to five goals for the season and strengthened his case for a starting place against Scunthorpe. Boston manager Paul Hurst has called for his players to start more positively, having needed two late goals to overcome bottom club Gateshead. The victory ended a run of three consecutive league defeats, including a 4-2 loss at Eastleigh and a 6-0 defeat at Yeovil Town.
The clubs last met at the Jakemans Community Stadium on 17 October, when Scunthorpe secured a 3-1 victory in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Their previous league meetings have favoured Boston, who remain unbeaten in four National League North and National League encounters against the Iron. Last season’s fixtures included a 1-1 draw at Boston and a remarkable 6-3 Pilgrims victory at Scunthorpe.
Boston begin Saturday 21st in the National League with 15 points from 15 matches, five ahead of 22nd-placed Scunthorpe, who have played one game fewer. The Pilgrims are seeking successive league victories for the first time since September, while Butterfield and Barrows will be looking to halt the Iron’s four-match losing sequence in their first game in charge.
