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Next Up: Meadow Lane
Next Up: Meadow Lane

Preview: Notts County v Grimsby

By: Sam Kinnaird
Date: 29/03/2007

THE Mariners travel to Notts County's Meadow Lane looking to get back into the top half of League Two, and leapfrog their opponents in the table.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Notts Co (a)


The Opposition

Overview
County have found it tough financially in recent years, notably in September 2003 when many feared they would close down altogether with crippling debts. A group of local businessmen and the clubs fans saved the club from liquidation, but they were relegated from the old division two in 22nd place, along with town who finished 8 points and two places above them. The following season County struggled, and after a managerial change they managed to avoid relegation and finished 19th, one place and 6 points behind Town. County started last season in great form, unbeaten in their first 7 games, but then failed to win any of their next 14. Managing just 13 points from their last 16 games, they were two points above the relegation zone going into the final day. A 2-2 draw at home to Bury along with other results meant they were safe, finishing in 21st place, the clubs lowest ever position.

This Season
Under the guidance of Steve Thompson (above), County again started the season well losing twice in their first 15 games. However again they fell back down the table, and ended a six game winless run with a 1-0 win at struggling Bury. That result means they are in 12th position, 8 points from 7th spot with an inferior goal difference. County currently have 4 ex-Town players, Mike Edwards, Jason Lee, Andy Parkinson and Junior Mendes (left), who is currently on loan at Lincoln.

Key Player
35-year-old Club captain and ex-Mariner Jason Lee played 7 games on loan for Town in 1997, scoring 2 goals. The much travelled front man has played for the likes of Charlton, Nottm Forest, Southend and Watford, and was signed on a free from Northampton in the summer of 2006,. Lee is this seasons top scorer for County, he currently has 15 goals in 34 games in all competitions, and 14 in the league.

Recent Form

TownNotts Co
LPeterborough(h)0-2
WSwindon(h)1-0
WHereford(a)1-0
WBury(h)2-0
LMacclesfield(a)1-2
Currently 14th in League Two.
WBury(a)1-0
LBristol R(a)0-2
DMansfield(h)0-0
LPeterborough(a)0-2
DMK Dons(h)2-2
Currently 12th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownNotts Co
Peter Bore8
Ciaran Toner8
Lee15
Dudfield8

Team News

TownNotts Co

  • Nick Fenton is doubtful after limping off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Peterborough. Simon Grand stands by to replace him.

  • Michael Reddy had a further injury blow in the midweek reserve win over Scunthorpe and his season looks to be over, if not his entire football career.

  • Alan Buckley again has to decide between 4-4-2 and 4-5-1.
  • Steve Thompson has no injury worries at all, but midfielder Jay Smith has recovered from an knock which caused him to miss last week's game against Bury.
  • Probable Teams

    TownNotts Co
    1Phil Barnes
    2John McDermott
    3Tom Newey
    5Nick Fenton
    6Justin Whittle
    17Peter Till
    25James Hunt
    16Danny Boshell
    8Paul Bolland
    10Ciaran Toner
    22Danny North
    1Kevin Pilkington
    2David Pipe
    4Mike Edwards
    18Stephen Hunt
    3Austin McCann
    12Gary Silk
    6Matt Somner
    24Ian Ross
    9Jason Lee
    10Lawrie Dudfield
    15Tcham N'Toya

    Subs

    TownNotts Co
    13Robert Murray
    20Matt Bloomer
    24Simon Grand
    18Peter Bore
    19Gary Jones
    24Saul Deeney
    31Dan Martin
    11Andy Parkinson
    21Michael Byron
    27Jay Smith

    Head to Head

    Town have the upper hand over County in their 71 game to date. Before the home game this season, Town were unbeaten in the last 4 games against County.

    P 71 W 31 D 16 L 24 F 101 A 102

    Notts Co Head-to-Head (26th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    A Michael Reddy goal just before half time clinched a 1-0 win for a makeshift Mariners side, it was a huge win in the context of the season, and proved to be towns final away win in the league.

    04-Feb-2006
    Notts County0 - 1Grimsby
      Reddy 40

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, Cohen, Newey, Futcher, Croft; Toner, Bolland (Barwick 82), Woodhouse, Goodfellow (Parkinson 78); Reddy, Mendes Subs (not used): Downey, North, Murray

    Notts Co Team: Pilkington; Wilson, Baudet, Martin (Long 78); Pipe, Edwards, Crooks, Needham (Scoffham 69), Palmer; Dadi, DeBolla
    Subs (not used): Marshall, O'Callaghan, Ullathorne

    Attendance: 6,456  Report

    Prediction

    Notts Co 0-1 Town

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Meadow Lane (left).

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