After defeat at Notts County on Saturday, Town are quickly back in action tomorrow evening when we host Grimsby in the last of our re-arranged fixtures.
And having already secured a highest ever points total in League Two Simon Weaver’s side will be searching for a vital three points that could see them move back into the top ten.
Our opponents
Last season saw Grimsby return a creditable 11th place finish in their first season back in the EFL, also reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, knocking out a string of higher ranked sides along the way.
This season has been tougher going though and a difficult start saw manager Paul Hurst, who guided them back into the EFL, depart the club.
Coming into the game they are in 21st spot on 43 points, and thanks to a 1-0 home win against Newport they come into this one on the back of a win.
Away from they have won once this season, they have drawn 11 of their 19 games on the road including five of their last six.
Previous meetings
Goals from Liam Gibson and Abraham Odoh put Town two goals ahead before a late consolation from Kieran Green reduced the deficit in late December at Blundell Park.
Last seasons home fixture saw the sides serve up a Boxing Day feast with a thrilling affair that saw Town twice come from behind to snatch an injury time winner. Otis Khan had cancelled out Luke Armstrong’s early strike before Harry Clifton put the visitors ahead early in the second half.
Armstrong netted again to level on 75 minutes before a Max Crocombe own goal from Kayne Ramsay’s shot won the points for Town.
In 2020/21 Town triumphed 1-0 at The Envirovent Stadium when Mark Beck struck fifteen minutes from time.
The man in charge
David Artell is in the dugout having being appointed at the end of November following the departure of Paul Hurst.
Artell previously managed Crewe for five years, winning 100 games during his time in charge before departing the club in April 2022. Artell also played for the Railwaymen for two seasons as well as having spells at the likes of Morecambe, Port Vale, Chester and Mansfield.
Ones to watch
Danny Rose tops the scoring charts with 13 goals this season, including the vital winner last weekend, with Abou Eisa and Donovan Wilson close behind on nine and seven goals respectively.
Gavan Holohan has three goals and seven assists and despite a goal return not matching that of last season Harry Clifton will likely be a threat from midfield.
Harvey Rodgers, who arrived from Accrington in the summer, has formed a near ever present partnership with Toby Mularkey in defence.
History
The club was formed back in 1878 and moved to their current home, Blundell Park, in 1898. They joined the Football League in 1892 and saw their most successful period between the First and Second World Wars when they spent a decade in the top division.
From the 1950’s onwards the club spent much of the next couple of decades alternating between the second and third divisions, being relegation to the bottom tier in 1968. The club were promoted back to the third division twice during the 1970’s.
The early 1980’s saw them back in the second tier, with a fifth-placed finish in 1984 but an end of season slump in 1987 saw them fall back into Division Three.
Financial problems hit the club at the start of the current century and they would ultimately be relegated out of the league in 2010, where they would remain for six seasons.
The Mariners have notable former managers in Bill Shankly and Lawrie McMenemy, but the most successful was Alan Buckley who led the club to three promotions and two Wembley appearances in his three spells between 1988 and 2008.
Team news
Town continue to be without longer term absentee Liam Gibson. However, welcomed back George Thomson & Matty Daly on Saturday after injury concerns last midweek.
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