Preview: Newcastle Town (A)

Words: James Whitbread

The Iron look forward to their first fixture in the Emirates FA Cup as they are back on the road to take on Northern Premier League Division One West side Newcastle Town, in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Last time out, the Iron only took one point at the Attis Arena against Warrington Town after a 1-1 draw, this time out Butlers’ side will be looking to get back to winning ways and progress to the next round of the cup.

Newcastle Town havent hit the ground running in the Northern Premier League Division One West, a division two leagues beneath National League North. Town sit 17th in their table having played less games than 20 other teams in the league, they have picked up five points from a possible 20, winning once, drawing twice and being defeated once.

In the opposition dug out, Neil Baxter will be looking to implement his 38 years of managerial experience and pull off a big FA Cup upset. Baxter started his managerial career at Leek Town where he spent eight years at the club. Nine years after his spell at Leek, Neil joined Crewe as caretaker manager, and has later become an assistant manager for the club in two spells, in 2007-08 Baxter was assistant manager for Steve Holland, former England assistant manager, Gareth Southgate’s right hand man.

After time as a Chief Scout at Crewe, and Sporting Director back at Leek, Baxter had a return as manager at Leek, this time spending 12 years at the club. In the 2023-24 season, the same season he left Leek, he took on two jobs where he didn’t spend long at Macclesfield Town as caretaker manager and an individual coach, before Newcastle Town gave him the job he finds himself in today, having spent eight months at the club.

Despite our strong form in the league, starting the season taking 20 points from a possible 24, in the FA Cup form goes out of the window, and United are going into the game as massive favourites. Andy Butler will be aware of the potential challenges in front of the Iron, as Newcastle Town will be looking to shock Scunthorpe and get a surprise cup round triumph.