Tomorrow afternoon sees Crewe Alexandra travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town, the hosts’ playing squad containing former Alex midfielder Callum Ainley.
This Season:
This season sees the Mariners sitting in 5th place in the league having beaten Cheltenham Town, Bradford City, Bromley, Carlisle United, Gillingham, Salford City, Tranmere Rovers, AFC Wimbledon, Accrington Stanley and Morecambe, they have drawn with Newport County while they have lost against Fleetwood Town, Notts County, Chesterfield, Barrow, Doncaster Rovers, Walsall, MK Dons and Colchester United.
They lost against Wealdstone in the FA Cup 1st Round and against Sheffield Wednesday (having beaten Bradford on penalties in the previous round) in the 2nd Round of the Carabao Cup. In their EFL Trophy group, they lost against Lincoln City, Manchester City’s Under-21s on penalties and Chesterfield to finish bottom of their group.
Transfers:
They have signed goalkeeper Jordan Wright, defenders Cameron McJannet, Matthew Carson, Tyrell Warren and Lewis Cass, midfielder George McEachran with forward Jason Svanporsson completing their permanent signings. Midfielders Jordan Davies and Jayden Luker and forwards Luca Barrington and Justin Obikwu have all joined on season-long loans.
Leaving the club this summer were Harry Clifton, Anthony Glennon, Jamie Bramwell, Abo Eisa, Gavan Holohan, Edwin Essel, Niall Maher, Aaron Braithwaite, Otis Khan, Danny Amos, Harvey Tomlinson and Arthur Gnahoua left when their deals expired.
Coaches Thoughts:
Here are the thoughts of the two sets of coaching staff heading into the game:
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 25
Grimsby Wins: 30
Draws: 11
Biggest Alex Win: 5-0 at Gresty Road in February 2017
Biggest Grimsby Win: 5-0 at Abbey Park in December 1894
Last Meeting
Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Grimsby Town, 13th April 2024
Toby Mullarkey opened the scoring against the club he began his career at in the 38th minute before second-half goals from Curtis Thompson and substitute Denver Hume extended the lead in the 59th and 90th minutes.
Crewe: Stryjek; Billington, Demetriou, Williams; Cooney, Austerfield (Tabiner 54), Holicek, Adebisi; Rowe (Agius 61), Nevitt, Kirk (Finney 54)
Booked – Cooney 34, Kirk 45, Williams 62
Grimsby: Eastwood; Mullarkey, Tharme, Rodgers; Smith, Thompson, Green (Clifton 82), Vernam (Hume 82); Holohan (Andrews 88); Obikwu (Ainley 88), Rose (Wilson 22)
Booked – Mullarkey 45
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Nick Colgan, Dave Felgate, Gary Montgomery, Tom Poskett
Defenders: Paul Bignot, Marlon Broomes, Harry Davis, Darran Kempson, Olly Lancashire, Toby Mullarkey, Gregor Robertson
Midfielders: Callum Ainley, Chris Clements, Paul Holsgrove
Forwards: Omar Bogle, Dougald Campbell, Colin Cramb, Anthony Elding, Thomas Elliott, Rod Fletcher, Wes Fletcher, Riccardo Gabbiadini, Bill Gardner, Joel Grant, Martin Harris, Billy Haydock, Harry Mellor, Greg Pearson, Jimmy Pennington, George Ratcliffe, Steve Saunders, John Waring, Norman Wright
Officials:
The EFL have announced that James Durkin is tomorrow’s referee with Martin Parker and Ivan Stankovic assisting him and Carl Boyeson the fourth official. Durkin has refereed the following Crewe game in the last 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Tranmere Rovers (26th October 2024) – Tracey (2), Tabiner
