Grimsby come into this game with only faint hopes left of making the play-offs following two consecutive draws at Blundell Park. In each of those games the Mariners had been leading 2-0.
Again, it is off field issues that are dominating the headlines at BP, with the impending legal action by Boston United being most prominent.
However joint managers, Rob Scott and Paul Hurst, are trying to focus their attention on assessing the playing squad that they have inherited, and preparing for tonight’s game.
Congratulations to Darlington on reaching the final of the FA Trophy, and a day to look forward to at Wembley for their supporters.
The Quakers manager, Neil Cooper, is no stranger to media outlets in this area, as he was strongly tipped to have been the Grimsby manager after the dismissal of Neil Woods. That is all water under the bridge now, and Cooper is currently negotiating a new contract at the Northern Echo Arena.
Like Grimsby, the Quakers seem to have blown their own chances of a play-off position following their home defeat by Altrincham on saturday.
Vital Quotes:
Mariners joint boss Rob Scott shared his thoughts ahead of the game with the Evening Telegraph :
‘It’s an opportunity to quickly right some wrongs and it’s nice to get playing again so soon when you have had that disappointment.
‘We know it will be tough. Darlington have a trip to Wembley ahead and their players will be keen to earn a place in that team whatever their recent results.
‘It’s up to us to go out and stamp our authority on the game like we did for 65 minutes on Saturday.
‘And if we do concede, we have to avoid the panic stations that we saw at the weekend.
‘You could sense it in the crowd as well, for 70 minutes they were behind us and it lifted the players. Then the goal went in and it was nervous all around.
‘We want to see a performance for a full 90 minutes with belief. We want to send those fans away saying to their mates that the players put a good shift in’.
Darlo boss Mark Cooper gave his view on their play-off chances following saturday’s loss, and the opportunity to make amends at Grimsby. He told the Northern Echo :
‘It is a big game and they are a big club.
‘Players should have a point to prove and we’ll probably change things around and give it a shake up.
‘Stevenage did it last year. They won the league. They won 14 of the last 15 games and got to the FA Trophy final. Tiredness is a state of mind. You can have as much rest as you want during the week and make sure you’re ready on a Saturday afternoon’.
He followed that with a statement that could easily be attributed to the Mariners as well as his own side.
‘You can paint as many pretty pictures as you want in the middle of the pitch, but you have to be able to defend your goal and put the ball in the back of the net in theirs. If you don’t you won’t win a game. That is what it’s all about’.
Grimsby Town Team News:
Scott and Hurst have several problems due to injuries and illness.
Defenders Lee Ridley (thigh) and Steve Watt (hamstring) both came off in the Tamworth match and are due to have scans on wednesday.
Darran Kempson will not be available due to his hamstring injury, but should be back in action on the weekend at Newport.
Peter Bore has suffered a recurrence of his longstanding groin problem, and will not be considered tonight.
Michael Leary, as previously reported, collapsed after training last thursday. He has done some light jogging, but he will still see a cardiologist this week.
Bryan Hughes has finally got over his achilles problem, and is available.
Centre back Scott Garner has been recalled from his loan at Alfreton Town, and is likely to partner Rob Atkinson in the centre of defence.
Dwayne Samuels and Mark Gray have been included in the squad together with Charles Ademeno, whose three match ban starts after this game.
Player to watch: Micky Cummings
Back in the centre of midfield, Micky is a steady influence in the engine room.
He played over 70 times for Darlington, scoring 10 goals, during a two season spell with the Quakers.
Darlington Team News:
Darlo’s midfield pair, Gareth Waite and Michael Brough will both miss out with knee injuries.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson will undergo a late fitness test after limping off in the game last saturday against Altrincham.
Player to watch: Liam Hatch
Hatch had been a Grimsby target during January’s transfer window, but he signed a permanent deal from Peterborough, having spent the previous six months on loan at the Arena.
6’3′ Hatch is principally a striker, but he has also been used as a centre back this season.
Match Facts & Stats
The reverse league fixture :
Tues, 24/8/2010 Northern Echo Arena
Darlington 0 Grimsby 1 (Watt 48) Att : 1,993
Match Prediction:
Only Bath City have drawn more home games than Grimsby Town this season, whilst Darlington have the most away draws.
Dare I suggest : 2-2 !!!
Next Fixtures:
2 April, Newport County (away) 7.45pm
9 April, Kidderminster (home) 3pm
