Grimsby V Southport Preview
So to Blundell Park, the less than Bastille kind of venue we dreamed of, where the Grimsby Grinder appears all ground out, with lack of pace allowing acres of space for all who would take a punt, or as Eddie Wearing would say try the good old ‘up and under`. Now there was an old school commentator with passion, knowledge and a non PC TV accent.
Blundell Park and Woods way has its pros as well as cons in equal measure. With Southport`s dream striking partnership supreme around goals are sure to rain this day with Cool boots Connell scoring for fun and the Mariners an attacking joy to behold. Reality check needed you say? Indeed, for we are a Jekyll & Hyde side who drag forth tears, cheers and jeers in equal measure me hearties.
Southport have the luxury of two returning top notch finishers today which is not what Woods or the lads want to hear. That said, our attacking prowess continues to bag at least a brace a game, suggesting we will see another goal fest this afternoon. With goals the lifeblood of the sport few can say we don`t get value for money – two chaps who put a million between them in aside, perhaps.
Thus far the Conference journey has been an entertaining lesson, although given the funds showered upon him, Woods needs to learn faster if he is to see out the season and he will not have his in-form Eagle to dare this day due to suspension.
Vital Quotes:
Liam Watson is chuffed to say the least
LISTEN HERE
The Codfather has been a quiet since the Kidderminster shambles but had this to say on the defeat
‘We started slowly for whatever reason – I’d love to know the exact reason like you would. The preparation and everything was right but if anything we were too negative. We want them to pass it and play it, and play in an aggressive and creative way. But we didn’t play enough balls forward, we didn’t protect the ball – we were very loose in possession, which brought a lot of pressure on ourselves. Second-half we had to be more direct, we had to threaten the goal and get back into the game. We changed the system and went three up front, and you can arguably say we should have got something out of it. We had a lot of good chances second-half. But again the disappointing thing for me is that we only really had 45 minutes of the game – a game of football lasts 90 minutes and we have to compete better for all of the game than we are doing at the moment.’
Grimsby Town Team News:
————- 38 O’Donnell——————-
15 Samuels 5 Kempson 6 Garner 3 Ridley
2 Bore 8 Cummins 28 Wright 19 Wood
———–10 Peacock 17 Connell———-
Player to watch: Colossus Connell
Given the amount of goals we concede the free scoring hero may even have to triple his 11 goal haul just to keep things interesting.
Southport Team News:
————-1 McMillan—————–
——2 Lee 4 Flynn Powell 3 Lever—–
17 Blakeman 11 McGinn 8 Moogan 14 Barratt
————- McNeil —— Simm ————
Subs
22 Dickinson 15 Williams 7 Winn 6 23 Collins 10 Gray / 9 Daly
Player to watch: The New Dynamic Duo perhaps?
A complete change up front for Southport today. Matty McNeill returns from injury up front as does former hero Chris Sim. If these two click our defence will have serious problems today.
Match Facts & Stats
Grimsby Form
Home Record 9th
Away record 8th
Overall 8th
Biggest Home Win 2-0 Luton Town, 2-0 Newport County
Biggest Away Win Crawley Town 0-1, Darlington 0-1
Heaviest Home Defeat 1-2 Hayes & Yeading, 1-2 Fleetwood Town
Heaviest Away Defeat Rushden & Diamonds 4-1
Highest Score Forest Green Rovers 3-3
Grimsby Heroes & Villains
Goal Machines
11 Alan Connell
3 Eagle
2 Watt
1 Peacock, Cummins, Hudson, Bore
Assists
3 Peacock
2 Eagle Bore
1 Gobern Hudson Cummins Kempson
Keepers Corner
Richard O’Donnell
Games 7 Saves 27 Clean sheets 3
Kenny Arthur
Games 5 Saves 17 Clean sheets 3
Steve Croudson
Games 1 Saves 7 Clean sheets 0
Yellow Cards
5 Eagle
4 Steven Watt,
3 Gobern, Kempson
2 Hudson
1 Cummins, Connell, Coulson, Ridley, Bore & Wright
Red cards Kempson
Ker-Ching
Highest Gate 5037 York City
Lowest Gate 2532 Histon
Average Attendance 3470
Total Turnstile Clicks 20820
Southport Form
Home Record 15th
Away Record 18th
Overall Record 18th
Biggest Home Win 1-0 Altrincham, 1-0 Fleetwood Town, 2-1 Tamworth
Biggest Away Win Kidderminster Harriers 3-4
Heaviest Home Defeat 0-1 AFC Wimbledon, 1-2 Mansfield Town, 1-2 Kettering Town
Heaviest Away Defeat Gateshead 1-0, Wrexham 2-1, Darlington 1-0, Histon 2-1
Total Turnstile Clicks Kidderminster Harriers 3-4
Heroes & Villains
Goal Scorers
Matty McNeil 3
Matty McGinn 3
Steve Daly 3
Tony Gray 2
Liam Blakeman 1
Earl Davis 1
Assists
Paul Barratt 2
Ashley Winn 1
Adam Flynn 1
Steve Daly 1
Chris Lever
Keeper Corner
Anthony McMillan
Games 15 Saves 66 Clean Sheets 5
Yellow Cards
Earl Davis 5
Kevin Lee 4
Matty McGinn 3
Alan Moogan 3
Ashley Winn 3
Robbie Williams 2
Ker – Ching.
Highest Gate 1802 AFC W
Match Prediction:
Who would want to tempt the fates further given the gods of the sea are toying with us already. It will be a high scoring affair again you feel with us as ever coming out on top 3 or 4 goals to two.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 30/10 H – Eastbourne Borough 15:00 BSP
Tue 9/11 A – Cambridge United 19:45 BSP
Southport
Fri 29/10 H – Kidderminster Harriers 19:45 BSP
Tue 9/11 A – York City 19:45 BSP
