Scunthorpe United FC

Sam Purkiss will take charge of the Iron's home league encounter against Newport County on Saturday.

The London-based official will arrive at the Sands Venue Stadium for his 20th game of the season and ninth in Sky Bet League Two. The current campaign is his third in the EFL.

His first competitive game of the season came on July 31st as he was selected to take charge of the only Carabao Cup Round One match taking place. That was AFC Bournemouth's 5-0 home win over Milton Keynes Dons, with six cautions given out on the day.

Purkiss' last encounter in Sky Bet League Two came on New Year's Day when he oversaw a 3-1 home win for Crawley Town against Colchester United.

After being promoted to the National List of Referees in 2019, he took charge of two Iron matches in quick succession before adding a third in January 2020. That last encounter was a 3-0 away defeat at Northampton Town which saw Kevin van Veen sent off for alleged violent conduct on former defender Charlie Goode - a punishment which was later rescinded. His most recent involvement in a Scunthorpe fixture was on the opening day of the season against Swindon Town. Across the four previous games, he's issued 14 yellow cards and one red.

He's taken charge of three Exiles games in the past, with the latest coming in October when he oversaw their goalless draw to Bradford City. This will be his first competitive league involvement in a game with Newport away from Rodney Parade. Across the three games, he's issued 11 yellow cards and one red. 

Last season, he took charge of a total of 33 matches, showing 82 yellow cards and eight reds. So far this season, in 19 games, he's shown 39 yellow cards and two reds.

On Saturday, he will be assisted by Billy Smallwood and Steve Wade, while Joe Clark will assume the role of fourth official.

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