Rovers are looking to extend their unbeaten run as they head down the M180 for a clash with Grimsby Town in Sky Bet League Two.
Blundell Park has been a happy hunting ground for Rovers in recent years for Rovers and Grant McCann’s side will be determined to secure a positive result once again.
THE LAST MEETING
Rovers who ran out victors at the Eco-Power Stadium in October with Joe Ironside’s penalty making all the difference on that occasion.
It was a tightly contested affair as both sides struggled to maintain sustained possession.
Rovers grew into the game in the second half and upon the return of Kyle Hurst, won a spot-kick following Gavan Holohan’s foul on the tricky winger on 72 minutes.
Top scorer Ironside stepped up from 12-yards and sent Rovers into the lead as McCann’s side took all three points in the derby.
GRIMSBY’S RECENT FORM
The Mariners have had an difficult spell of late and have only won one of their last nine matches to currently sit 21st in League Two.
That victory came in a convincing 3-0 win at Salford City in January but Town have lost three of their last five since.
That run started with a 6-1 home loss against Walsall before five goals at Blundell Park didn’t prove enough for all three points as the spoils were shared with Notts County.
On home soil again Town lost out to Tranmere Rovers before a goalless draw with Accrington Stanley and most recently another home loss to Stockport County.
LAST TIME OUT
Grimsby Town 1 Stockport County 3
Sky Bet League Two, Saturday, February 10, 2024
Line-up: Cartwright, Hume, Maher, Rodgers, Smith, Thompson (Green 46), Holohan (Andrews 46), Eisa (Obikwu 83), Clifton, Gnahoua (Vernam 46), Rose. Subs not used: Pyke, Eastwood, Mullarkey.
THE MANAGER
Former Gibraltar international David Artell took to the helm at the Mariners in November 2023 having returned to management after a year out since leaving Crewe Alexandra.
As a player Artell had promotion success with both Rotherham United and Crewe before turning his hand to management with the latter in 2017.
In 2020 he guided the Railwaymen to League Two promotion and won the division’s manager of the year award in the very same season. Since taking over at Grimsby, the Mariners have however won on just two occasions.
THE KEY MEN
Goalkeeper: Harvey Cartwright
Hull City loanee and Grimsby-born keeper Cartwright arrived at Blundell Park following a number of short loan spells away from the MKM Stadium since turning professional in 2019.
He already has silverware to his name with a League One title with the Tigers in 2021 and has turned out 22 times for his hometown team this season to keep two clean sheets.
Defender: Harvey Rodgers
Another Hull City academy graduate, Rodgers arrived at Town in the summer following relegation from League One with Accrington Stanley.
The 27-year-old had also spent time out on loan from Stanley with Hartlepool United in 2019 but went on to make 148 appearances for the East Lancashire side with a League Two title success in the process.
In the middle: Harry Clifton
Former Wales U21 international Clifton recently surpassed the 250-appearance mark for Grimsby Town having turned professional with the club in 2015.
Having become a fan-favourite at Blundell Park, Clifton has struck 25 goals and won the club’s young player of the year award twice and player of the year last term.
Up top: Danny Rose
Veteran striker Rose joined Grimsby in the summer after winning the League Two title with Steve Evans’ Stevenage last season.
Most notably a front man at Mansfield Town, Rose made 164 appearances for the Stags to score 44 goals and contribute a further 11 assists at Field Mill. He has kept up his goalscoring form this season to score 12 in the black and white.
HISTORY
Formed as “Grimsby Pelham” in 1878, The Mariners only spent a year under that name before becoming Grimsby Town in the same year that Rovers were formed.
Town went on to win promotion to the old First Division on three occasions between 1899 and 1934 but more recently have operated between the fourth and fifth tier of English football – winning the EFL Trophy twice.
Rovers first met with the Mariners in the 1904/05 Division Two campaign and fell to a 2-1 loss on the road in the October of that term before Town completed the league double with a 2-0 win at the Intake Ground on Easter Monday. Rovers have gone on to win 17 times against Grimsby since then with the Mariners winning on 19 occasions.
Perhaps Rovers’ most enjoyable trip to Blundell Park in recent memory came in April 2017 as then-Darren Ferguson’s side came from behind to run riot in a 5-1 win in North Lincolnshire. John Marquis netted a hat-trick on that day as fellow strikers Andy Williams and Alfie May also made the scoresheet.
TURNED OUT FOR BOTH
Both sides enjoyed the services of Ricky Ravenhill in the early 2000s as the Doncaster-born midfielder joined Grimsby following the end of his spell with Rovers in 2006.
Having first joined Rovers in 2002, Ravenhill went on to claim Conference play-off success and a Division Three title with his hometown club to record nine goals in 137 appearances in red and white.
The father of current-Rovers midfielder Liam, Ravenhill moved to the Mariners following the end of his deal in South Yorkshire and spent just one season in North Lincolnshire to score twice in 19 outings.
Having only hung up his boots on the non-league circuit with Mickleover in 2021, he is now assistant manager to John McGrath – father of Rovers defender, Jay – at the Sports.
Contributor: Jefferson Hall-Nolan
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