The Mariners return to Blundell Park on the back of an unbeaten league run of six and a home unbeaten run to five as they face Harrogate Town this weekend.

A win could see the Mariners pick up back-to-back home wins for the first time this season. David Artell has so far gone unbeaten in the league since taking over, picking up his first victory in his home debut against Crewe two weeks ago.

Team News

Charles Vernam is continuing his rehab following his injury which has kept him out since September whilst Jamie Andrews, who featured off the bench away at Spalding on Tuesday night in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup could be in line for a return to the squad.

Rekeil Pyke and Donovan Wilson are nearing a return to fitness after missing out on action for the last two weeks.

Should Harry Clifton feature the midfielder will make his 250th appearance for the Mariners.

Harrogate Town

This weekend’s visitors Harrogate have the EFL’s longest serving manager in Simon Weaver who has been in charge for 14 years and has solidified their status in League Two following promotion in 2020.

Promotion saw Weaver’s side beat Notts County 3-1 at Wembley on August 2nd 2020 to see them into the EFL for the first time in their history.

Since promotion Harrogate have finished 17th, 19th and 19th in the Sky Bet League Two table and currently sit 16th just two places above the Mariners ahead of the game.

The North Yorkshire side retained the services of striker Luke Armstrong in the summer transfer window despite the forward almost making a late deadline-day move to Wrexham. However, Armstrong has since joined Carlisle United on a pre-agreed move which will come into effect from the 1st January.

Harrogate added eleven new faces on permanent deals in the summer, brining in Dean Cornelius from Motherwell, Abraham Odoh from Rochdale and Josh March who returned to the club after a loan spell in the 2020/21 season to name a few.

Harrogate’s top scorer this season is George Thompson with six goals so far followed by Matty Daly and Jack Muldoon with three apiece.

Form

Harrogate come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Notts County last Saturday, Thompson, Odoh and Daly were all on target to help them to the three points ending a run of five games without a win in all competitions.

Home draws against Swindon and Wrexham in-between away defeats against Carlisle, Crawley and Bolton Wanderers make up their last five results spanning three competitions.

This weekend’s visitors rank fifth in the table for away results so far this season winning 5 of their ten away days, drawing once and losing four times.

The Mariners welcome Harrogate looking to build on an unbeaten run of six in the league, winning two and drawing four and remain unbeaten since the arrival of David Artell.

Harrogate have the better of the head-to-head record against Grimsby winning three of the five meetings between both sides. The previous meeting at Blundell Park saw both sides play out a 0-0 draw last February.

Coverage

Overseas supporters will be able to watch Saturday’s match against Harrogate Town on Mariners TV with match passes available for £10 – they are available HERE.

UTM