The Mariners are back in action tomorrow afternoon with Rochdale visiting BP for our second home match of the week.
Town come into the match off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw against Newport County when a John McAtee wonderstrike was cancelled out by an equaliser from visiting defender Priestley Farquharson. That result made it three home draws in a row following our encounters with Harrogate Town and league leaders Leyton Orient.
Team News
Ben Davies stood in for the gaffer in pre-match press this week and said that Kieran Green continues to train with the squad ahead of a return to action. He last played in our Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round replay against Luton Town.
No new injury issues have been picked up from Tuesday’s draw with Newport County.
Rochdale
Tomorrow’s visitors come into the match at Blundell Park sitting bottom of the League Two table but did pick up a notable victory at home to high-flying Stevenage.
That was their first win since winning 2-1 away to Bradford City on the 10th of January and will give Jim Bentley’s side an element of confidence as they arrive in Cleethorpes.
In their ranks is experienced campaigner Ian Henderson who, after over 300 appearances in his first spell with the club, returned to Spotland this season after two seasons with Salford City. A regular scorer for Rochdale in both League One and League Two, he has over a century of football league goals to his name. The 38-year-old is currently their top scorer in the league this season with six.
Rochdale currently have the third-worst defence in League two having conceded 52 goals across their 35 league matches which, coupled with scoring just 29 goals, has contributed to their struggles. Only Gillingham have scored less.
Manager Bentley made his name in an eight and half year spell with Morecambe before spending two and a half years with AFC Fylde. He has been with Rochdale since August.
Previous Meetings
The Mariners defeated Dale 1-0 at Spotland earlier this season when a injury time winner from captain Luke Waterfall gave Town the three points in August. Highlights from that match can be watched HERE.
That victory was our first over tomorrow’s opponents since December 2005 and the two clubs have met 49 times in the past with the Mariners triumphant in 22 of those.
Referee
James Oldham is tomorrow’s referee. It will be the first time he has officiated a Mariners match with his last being a 3-0 defeat at Blundell Park at the hands of Northampton Town.
He will be assisted by Daniel Woodward and Helen Edwards.
Coverage
Due to broadcast regulations, tomorrow’s match is available to be live streamed on Mariners TV to overseas viewers only. Supporters can purchase match passes for £10 HERE.
UTM
