We continue looking back at the 2015/16 season, moving into the New Year and focusing on January...
The Iron entered 2016 not wanting to let their lucrative tie against Chelsea distract them from one final league game before that outing - with Wigan Athletic the visitors to Glanford Park. Two wins, a draw and a defeat would be played out, excluding the tie at Stamford Bridge.IRON (Williams, 20) 1-1 WIGAN ATHLETIC (Jacobs, 34)
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron put themselves in the ascendancy in their opening game of 2016, with Luke Williams scoring from a few yards out after terrific work from Kevin van Veen who played the ball left for Scott Laird to provide the assist.
Michael Jacobs restored parity for the visitors just fourteen minutes after and despite both sides threatening, a point was just about right for both teams and a good start to the year for Scunthorpe who had shown marked improvements since their 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.
CHELSEA (Costa, 13, Loftus-Cheek, 68) 2-0 IRON
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round after a spirited and battling performance against Premier League reigning Champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Diego Costa won a header after thirteen minutes to put the hosts ahead with the big talking point a penalty not given to Scunthorpe early in the second half. Kevin van Veen was brought down under a challenge from Ramires, but a penalty wasn't awarded by referee Craig Pawson. The Dutchman also went close soon after with a free kick, firing into the side-netting.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored his first senior goal for Chelsea to double the host's advantage with just over twenty minutes left, but the Iron still rallied and thought they'd halved the deficit but for a World Class save from Asmir Begovic thwarting Jordan Clarke's thunderbolt from the edge of the area.
BLACKPOOL (Aldred, 2, Potts, 12, 28, Norris, 55, Philliskirk, 82) 5-0 IRON
For a full report for this match, click here.
United fell to a 5-0 defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road six days after the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Tom Aldred started the rout after just two minutes while Brad Potts, who had been the difference in the 1-0 victory for the Seasiders at Glanford Park earlier in the season, netting the following two goals to put the hosts 3-0 up at half time.
David Norris and Danny Philliskirk scored in the second half to complete the scoring.
CLUB STATEMENT: MARK ROBINS AND NED KELLY
The Iron terminate the contracts of Mark Robins and Ned Kelly with immediate effect - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-2907770.aspx (January 18, 2016)
DUO TO TAKE CARETAKER CHARGE
The Iron confirm that Nick Daws and Andy Dawson take temporary charge for the Colchester United game - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/duo-to-take-caretaker-charge-2908157.aspx (January 18, 2016)
IRON (Hopper, 60, Madden, 62, 68) 3-0 COLCHESTER UNITED
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron began life after Mark Robins and Ned Kelly with a 3-0 victory over League One strugglers Colchester United at Glanford Park.
It wasn't plain sailing for Scunthorpe though, with Nick Daws and Andy Dawson taking joint caretaker charge of the side, with the three goals arriving after the hour and all within eight second half minutes.
Tom Hopper returned from injury to carry on where he left off, putting Scunthorpe ahead before Paddy Madden struck a brace to seal the three points.
GOAL OF THE MONTH...
COVENTRY CITY (Armstrong, (pen), 86) 1-2 IRON (Hopper, 9, Wallace, 62)
For a full report for this match, click here.
The Iron made it back-to-back victories with an impressive performance and a well-earned victory at the Ricoh Arena.
Hopper scored his third goal in as many games in the side, firing home after a corner was hooked back into the area by David Mirfin to give the Iron the lead before Murray Wallace connected to another corner to double the advantage.
Adam Armstrong halved the deficit from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining after Marcus Maddison was brought down by Jamie Ness. Romain Vincelot was dismissed for two quickfire yellow cards in stoppage time.
VICTORY AT THE RICOH: The Iron celebrate Murray Wallace's goal which put United 2-0 up against Coventry City.
INS...
Murray Wallace - signed from Huddersfiled Town (undisclosed) - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/wallace-signs-from-huddersfield-2880196.aspx (January 2, 2016)
Conor Townsend - signed from Hull City (free transfer) - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/townsend-is-irons-latest-recruit-2887022.aspx (January 6, 2016)
OUTS...
Isaac Assenso - contract mutually cancelled - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/assenso-departs-united-2885976.aspx (January 5, 2016)
David Syers - contract mutually cancelled - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/syers-leaves-the-iron-2885957.aspx (January 5, 2016)
Terry Hawkridge - contract mutually cancelled - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/hawkridge-leaves-the-iron-2887063.aspx (January 6, 2016)
Steve Taylor - chief scout - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/taylor-leaves-the-iron-2913678.aspx (January 21, 2016)
IN THE NEWS...
Chelsea ticket allocation sells out - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/chelsea-ticket-details-announced-2857484.aspx
Iron scoop latest programme award - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/iron-scoop-latest-programme-award-2920077.aspx