Grimsby Town rounded off their pre-season training camp in Slovenia with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Ukrainian Premier League side FC Zorya Luhansk.

David Artell’s side recovered from conceding an early goal to level the contest through Charles Vernam on the stroke of half-time, before producing an encouraging second-half display against high-quality opposition in sweltering conditions.

The fixture, played behind closed doors, formed the final part of an intensive week-long training camp as preparations continue ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

FIRST HALF

The Mariners settled quickly and almost created an early opportunity when Kristian Catchpole showed great strength to work space on the left before floating a cross into the penalty area.

Zorya, however, struck first after six minutes, capitalising on an early opening to take the lead.

The Ukrainians continued to threaten during the opening stages, but Maldini Kacurri produced an excellent piece of defending to deny Filip Budkivskyi after a loose ball threatened to send the striker through on goal.

Kacurri was again involved moments later as he headed clear a dangerous corner before blocking a powerful strike from the edge of the area following another attacking move.

The Mariners gradually grew into the game and began asking more questions of the Zorya defence. Josh Andrews was lively throughout the opening half, first working into the penalty area before being crowded out, then testing the goalkeeper with a left-footed effort after being played through by Justin Amaluzor.

Following a first-half hydration break in the Slovenian heat, Town continued to press.

Joe Foulkes produced an inviting delivery into the penalty area for Andrews, whose attempt to bring the ball under control was thwarted by an important defensive header.

From the resulting corner, Charles Vernam’s pinpoint delivery found Catchpole, whose header drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

Elliot Smith replaced Andrews midway through the half before Vernam again went close, seeing an effort blocked before Henry Brown’s curling follow-up was superbly pushed away by the goalkeeper.

Town’s persistence was rewarded deep into first-half stoppage time.

Brown was involved in the build-up before Vernam applied the finishing touch, firing home to bring the Mariners level just before the interval.

The sides went into the break with the scores locked at 1-1.

SECOND HALF

Artell made wholesale changes at half-time as Christy Pym, Reece Staunton, Edon Pruti, Harvey Rodgers, Andy Cook, Jaze Kabia and Kieran Green all entered the action.

The Mariners made a bright start after the restart.

Good football through midfield saw Jamie Walker win possession before Green found Brown inside the box, although the midfielder’s first-time effort cleared the crossbar.

At the other end, Cameron McJannet produced an outstanding recovery challenge to prevent Zorya restoring their advantage after the visitors threatened on the counter-attack.

Town continued to create the better opportunities.

Rodgers delivered an excellent cross which Kabia headed goalwards, with the goalkeeper spilling the initial effort before appeals for a penalty were waved away as Kabia challenged for the loose ball.

Cook then showed good awareness to chest the ball into Kabia’s path, only for a last-ditch tackle to deny the forward as he prepared to pull the trigger.

Staunton’s dangerous free-kick delivery shortly afterwards picked out Kabia inside the six-yard box, but his header drifted over.

The contest became increasingly competitive during the second half, with both Staunton and a Zorya player shown yellow cards following an off-the-ball altercation before another visiting player entered the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on Walker.

Rodgers thought he had helped create the go-ahead goal when his powerful strike was saved into the path of Cook, who bundled home the rebound, but the assistant referee’s flag ruled the effort out for offside.

Town continued to push for a winner.

Staunton delivered another excellent cross to the back post where Smith struck the upright, before Cook fired the rebound just over the crossbar from close range.

Green also came close late on, driving into the box before seeing his low effort denied by the goalkeeper’s feet.

The closing stages were disrupted when Staunton was forced off with a shoulder injury following a robust midfield challenge, temporarily leaving the Mariners down to ten men, before Pym also required treatment after a clash with a Zorya forward.

Neither side could find a decisive breakthrough during the closing minutes as the contest ended all square.

The Mariners now return to England ahead of next weekend’s pre-season fixture against Hartlepool United, with another positive workout under their belts following a productive week in Slovenia.

Town: Auton, Foulkes, Kacurri, McJannet, Sweeney, Turi, Catchpole, Brown, Amaluzor, Vernam, Andrews

Subs: Pym, Rodgers, Pruti, Staunton, Walker, Green, Smith, Cook, Kabia

UTM