Both of last season’s promoted National League sides go head to head at Edgeley Park this weekend in League Two, as County look to record back-to-back wins in the EFL for the first time since 2009, against Grimsby Town.
Dave Challinor’s side were finally rewarded for a recent upturn in performances last weekend, as Paddy Madden’s first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Bradford City, our first away win since returning to the Football League.
Those much needed three points lifted us up to 16th in the league table, four points clear of Rochdale who occupy the final relegation spot and nine points behind Carlisle United in the play-offs. Another win on Saturday would see County climb above Sutton into 15th, should they fail to beat AFC Wimbledon in their game.
National League play-off winners Grimsby have enjoyed a solid start to life back in League Two, sat seven points above County in 11th after a 3-0 win against bottom side Crawley Town last time out – their first home win of the season in League Two. A win for the Mariners this weekend could see them end the day in the play-off places, should other results go their way.
Coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our Fan Information pack, containing all you need to know ahead of your visit to Edgeley Park.
Our Opponents:
County and Grimsby faced off three times in all competitions last season, with mixed results. After playing out a tense 0-0 draw at Edgeley Park in August, County then romped to a 4-0 win against an injury-ravaged Mariners side in the Buildbase FA Trophy.
In April though it was Paul Hurst’s side who came out on top at Blundell Park, despite Scott Quigley’s goal putting County 1-0 up at the break. A red card for Antoni Sarcevic turned the game on its head, and second-half goals from John McAtee and Gavan Holohan secured the win for the home side.
It was a result that proved to be a turning point in their season. Having been under pressure to hold on to their place in the top seven, Grimsby lost just one of their final six league games to finish the campaign in sixth. Few could have predicted what was about to follow in the play-offs, however.
After securing a dramatic 2-1 win away at Notts County in the eliminator, coming from behind to snatch the win in the final minute of stoppage time, the Mariners then faced a daunting trip to league runners-up Wrexham in the semi-final.
It proved to be one of the most dramatic play-off games of all times, both teams exchanging the lead in an enthralling game that finished 4-4 after 90 minutes. Into extra-time, and it proved to be another late, great win for the away side, former Wrexham man Luke Waterfall heading home a long throw in the 119th minute to send his side to the final at the Olympic Stadium.
Having become the first team to finish outside the top five and still reach the play-off final, the Lincolnshire side went one better and completed an unforgettable campaign in London by again coming from behind to win in extra-time against Solihull Moors – ensuring a return to the EFL just one year after suffering relegation from League Two.
Hurst has kept the bulk of his squad together over the Summer in preparation for their Football League return, with seven of the players who started last weekend having been there last season. Top scorer and player of the year McAtee has since signed for Championship side Luton before returning to the Club on loan, but he has been out injured since the opening day of the season.
Their away form so far this season has been exceptional. Despite defeat at Leyton Orient on the opening day, the side have since won four and drawn one on the road in League Two – only Orient themselves have picked up more points away from home.
It’s been a different story at Blundell Park, however. That win against Crawley last time out, a first win in four games, was also their first three points at home in the league, having picked up just six points from six games in Lincolnshire.
Having got that monkey off their back though, Hurst will now be hoping his side can build on their solid start to the campaign and push further up the league table as they bid for back-to-back promotions.
One to watch:
Irish midfielder Gavan Holohan got the winner the last time these two sides met in April and is someone Dave Challinor will know all about, having managed the 30-year-old during his time at Hartlepool.
His arrival at Blundell Park last March coincided with their strong finish to the campaign, as he secured promotion through the National League play-offs for the second consecutive season. So far this season he has played in all but one of their league fixtures and got his first goal of the season last time out against Crawley.
Match Stats:
- In 78 previous competitive meetings with the Mariners, we have won 26, lost 32 and drawn 20. We will be looking for our first league win against Grimsby at Edgeley Park since December 2006, when Liam Dickinson and Michael Malcolm were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win.
- County are looking to win back-to-back games in the Football League for the first time since February 2009, whilst the Club were in League One.
- Our penalty last weekend was County’s first in the Football League since Greg Tansey scored against Cheltenham in 2010. Paddy’s goal took his tally to 35 in just 75 appearances for the Club.
