For Grimsby Town supporters, the Emirates FA Cup has always held a special place in the club’s history.
Three years on from the unforgettable run to the quarter-finals in 2022/23, the Mariners once again captured the imagination of supporters across the country during the 2025/26 campaign, producing memorable victories, dramatic moments and a fourth-round showdown against Premier League opposition.
While the journey eventually came to an end against Wolverhampton Wanderers at a sold-out Blundell Park, there was plenty to celebrate along the way.
Overcoming An Early Scare
Town’s cup adventure began in the First Round with a home tie against National League South side Ebbsfleet United. Despite entering the contest as favourites, the Mariners found themselves facing an uphill battle when Charlie Seaman gave the visitors a first-half lead at Blundell Park.
Ebbsfleet had impressed throughout the opening period and looked on course for an upset before a crucial turning point arrived just before half-time, when Ben Chapman was shown a straight red card. David Artell’s side responded emphatically after the break.
Danny Rose levelled the scores before Cameron McJannet headed Town in front moments later. Rose then added his second of the afternoon to complete a 3-1 comeback victory and safely guide the Mariners into the Second Round. It wasn’t always straightforward, but it was the perfect example of the resilience and character that would define Town’s cup run.
Statement Victory Against Wealdstone
The Second Round brought another home tie and an opportunity for revenge. Twelve months earlier, Wealdstone had stunned the Mariners at Blundell Park. This time, Town made sure there would be no repeat.
The game was effectively over within 23 minutes. Jaze Kabia opened the scoring after just seven minutes, converting from close range after excellent work from Charles Vernam. Kieran Green doubled the lead eight minutes later when he capitalised on a goalkeeping error from distance, before Jamie Walker added a third after another Vernam assist.
Kabia struck again shortly after half-time to complete a dominant 4-0 victory. The performance was one of Town’s most complete displays of the season and secured the club’s place in the Third Round for the first time since the famous 2022/23 campaign.
Third Round Drama
The Third Round welcomed National League South side Weston-super-Mare to Blundell Park for one of the most entertaining ties of the season.
On paper, Town were favourites. On the pitch, Weston-super-Mare proved exactly why they had reached the Third Round for the first time in their history. Charles Vernam broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with a stunning long-range strike, only for Luke Coulson to level shortly after the restart.
Jaze Kabia restored Town’s advantage with his 11th goal of the campaign, but the visitors refused to go away and Louis Britton once again brought the scores level. With extra-time looming and nerves beginning to build around Blundell Park, up stepped Kieran Green.
The midfielder rose highest to head home an 86th-minute winner and send the Mariners into the Fourth Round. The 3-2 victory may not have been comfortable, but it showcased Town’s ability to find a way when it mattered most.
Premier League Visitors Return To Blundell Park
The reward for reaching the Fourth Round was a glamour tie against Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With a sold-out Blundell Park, live television coverage and memories of previous giant-killings still fresh, supporters arrived believing another famous FA Cup upset could be possible. And for long periods, Town gave Wolves everything they could handle.
Charles Vernam came close early on, while Wolves struck the crossbar through João Gomes. The Mariners defended superbly throughout a fiercely contested encounter and continued to threaten on the counter attack. As the rain fell and conditions deteriorated, the atmosphere inside Blundell Park only intensified.
The decisive moment eventually arrived on the hour mark when Santiago Bueno turned home from close range following sustained pressure from the Premier League visitors. Town refused to surrender. David Artell’s side continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and came agonisingly close in the closing stages, only for Wolves to hold firm and secure a narrow 1-0 victory.
Despite the disappointment of defeat, the players received a standing ovation at full-time after producing a performance that demonstrated exactly how far the club had progressed.
Memorable Moments Along The Way
Every cup run creates its own storylines, and this season’s journey was no different. Jaze Kabia finished as Town’s leading scorer in the competition, producing crucial goals against Wealdstone and Weston-super-Mare.
Kieran Green delivered two of the campaign’s biggest moments, scoring against Wealdstone before netting the dramatic late winner in the Third Round. Charles Vernam played a key creative role throughout the run, providing assists and producing one of the goals of the season against Weston-super-Mare.
Danny Rose and Cameron McJannet helped rescue the First Round tie against Ebbsfleet United when Town needed them most.
Together, they helped create another memorable chapter in the club’s rich FA Cup history.
Another Special Cup Journey
While the run may not have reached the heights of the 2022/23 quarter-final adventure, progressing to the Fourth Round and welcoming Premier League opposition back to Blundell Park represented another significant achievement.
Across four ties, Town scored 11 goals, produced comeback victories, dramatic winners and unforgettable moments for supporters to enjoy. Most importantly, the campaign reinforced the belief growing around the football club under David Artell’s leadership.
The final whistle against Wolves may have brought the journey to an end, but the memories created throughout another exciting FA Cup run will live long in the minds of Mariners supporters.
UTM
