The Mariners begin their Emirates FA Cup campaign this Sunday as Town travel to Stafford Rangers for a first-round tie at the Stan Robinson Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 12pm.
David Artell’s side head into the competition following an impressive run of form, having recorded back-to-back league victories over Gillingham and York City, scoring nine goals across the two matches. Meanwhile, Stafford Rangers will be looking to cause an upset on home soil as they look to progress against Football League opposition for the first time since 1992 when they beat Lincoln City via a first round replay.
The tie will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with the Mariners looking to avoid a potential cup upset and secure their place in the second round.
Sunday’s encounter will also mark the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, adding a new fixture to the history books.
The Opposition
Stafford Rangers currently compete in the Northern Premier League Division One West, sitting second in the table with 33 points from their opening 14 league fixtures.
Managed by Graham Deakin, Stafford have enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2026/27 campaign, recording 11 victories from their 14 league matches. They have scored 32 goals and conceded 17, demonstrating their attacking threat while establishing themselves among the early promotion contenders.
Deakin joined the club as assistant manager in October 2024 before recently stepping up to take charge of the first team. As a player, he featured for Walsall, making one senior appearance in a Football League Trophy semi-final against Swansea City in January 2006, before going on to represent a number of non-League clubs.
The Boro have enjoyed an impressive journey through this season’s Emirates FA Cup qualifying rounds, beginning with a 5-0 victory over Tividale before defeating Matlock Town 2-1. A 3-0 win against Northampton ON Chenecks followed, before Stafford produced one of their biggest results of the campaign by beating National League North side Hereford 3-2.
They were subsequently held to a 1-1 draw by Halesowen Town and Gateshead, but progressed on both occasions through replay victories, beating Halesowen 2-1 away before recording a commanding 5-0 home win over National League side Gateshead.
Stafford’s most recent league outings have included a 1-0 victory away at Congleton Town on Tuesday evening, a 3-5 defeat away at Lower Breck, and a 2-0 home victory over 1874 Northwich.
Sunday’s fixture represents a significant occasion for the Staffordshire club, who will be making their first appearance in the FA Cup first round proper since the 2006/07 season. They will be hoping to make home advantage count and produce another memorable cup result.
Mariners’ Start
Town travel to Stafford looking to carry their recent attacking momentum into the Emirates FA Cup, having scored nine goals across their last two Sky Bet League Two fixtures.
The Mariners produced an impressive performance away at Gillingham, securing a 4-1 victory at Priestfield before returning to Blundell Park last weekend to beat York City 5-2 in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Andy Cook opened the scoring against the Minstermen before Alex Hunt equalised for the visitors. Jack Hunt then put York ahead, but Town responded through Iwan Morgan before Cameron McJannet marked his return from injury with a goal. Josh Andrews added a fourth before Géza Dávid Turi completed the scoring to secure another important three points.
Those consecutive victories have provided a welcome boost for David Artell’s side, who will now turn their attention to the FA Cup and the opportunity to progress into the second round.
Despite facing opposition from five leagues below them, Town will be aware of the potential dangers of a cup tie away from home. The Mariners were eliminated by non-League opposition in four of their previous six first-round ties as a Football League club, although they progressed with a 3-1 victory over Ebbsfleet United last season.
Artell’s side will therefore be determined to approach Sunday’s contest with the right mentality, make their quality count and secure their place in the next round.
Head-to-Head
Sunday’s encounter will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Grimsby Town and Stafford Rangers.
The two clubs have not previously faced one another in a recorded competitive first-team fixture, meaning the Emirates FA Cup provides the opportunity to establish a new chapter in their respective histories.
While the Mariners will arrive as the Football League visitors, Stafford have a proud history in the competition and will be hoping to add another notable result to their FA Cup record.
Ones to Watch
Leading the Line – Jack Birch
One of Stafford Rangers’ main attacking threats is forward Jack Birch, who has been among their most consistent performers during the opening months of the season.
Birch has scored five goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, making him one of the club’s leading goalscorers. His contribution has helped Stafford maintain their position towards the top of the Northern Premier League Division One West table, and Town will need to be mindful of his threat in the final third.
Goalscoring Threat – Darrhyl Nathaniel Mason
Another player to keep an eye on is Darrhyl Nathaniel Mason, who has also found the net five times in his nine appearances this season.
Mason has made an encouraging start to the campaign, providing an important attacking option for Deakin’s side. His goalscoring record highlights the threat Stafford can pose going forward, and the Mariners will need to remain alert to his movement and finishing ability.
The Numbers
- This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Grimsby Town and Stafford Rangers.
- Stafford Rangers are making their first FA Cup first-round appearance since the 2006/07 season, when they defeated Maidenhead United before losing 3-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the second round.
- Stafford have progressed from just one of their 16 FA Cup ties against Football League opposition since 1975, beating Lincoln City after a first-round replay in November 1992.
- As a Football League side, Grimsby Town have been eliminated from four of their last six FA Cup first-round ties against non-League opposition, although they beat Ebbsfleet United 3-1 in last season’s competition.
- The Mariners have scored 17 goals in their last seven FA Cup matches, averaging 2.4 goals per game, despite failing to find the net in three of those fixtures.
Match Officials
Isaac Searle will take charge of Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup first-round tie between Stafford Rangers and Grimsby Town at the Stan Robinson Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 12pm.
Searle will be assisted by Drew Dutton and Oliver Nolan, while Darren Drysdale has been appointed as the fourth official.
During the 2026/27 season, Searle has officiated 12 matches across various competitions, issuing 24 yellow cards and awarding two penalties. He has yet to issue a red card this campaign.
His appointments so far this season have included four League Two fixtures, in which he has issued 14 yellow cards and awarded two penalties.
Last season, Searle officiated 31 matches across various competitions, issuing 143 yellow cards, two second-yellow-card dismissals and three straight red cards, while awarding seven penalties.
Sunday’s fixture will be the first time Searle has officiated a Grimsby Town match.
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