Match Preview: Grimsby v Notts County

The Opposition

After finishing in their lowest ever position, Thordarson predictably left the club by mutual consent. Ex-Lincoln and Cambridge manager Steve Thompson was surprisingly then appointed as manager, a move that was initially unpopular with the supporters as Thompson had been assistant manager when County had been relegated to Division 3 in 1996/97. With few contracted players, Thompson made a big overhaul of the squad and signed a large number in the summer, which seems to have paid dividends as County have made a much better than anticipated start whilst also progressing to the third round of the Carling Cup.

Town are likely to face four ex-Mariners on Saturday in the shape of Andy Parkinson (top), Junior Mendes (left), Jason Lee and Mike Edwards. Parkinson and Mendes both left Blundell Park for Meadow Lane in the summer and have established themselves in the first team; Parkinson has started every league game and scored once, whilst Mendes has started 10 matches and claimed three goals so far. Well-travelled striker Lee was Thompson’s first signing of the summer and has been appointed as club captain, scoring twice so far this season. In goal is ex-Man Utd ‘keeper Kevin Pilkington who joined County in the summer of 2005 after five seasons at Mansfield.

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Head to Head

The Mariners have a good record against The Magpies, especially at Blundell Park where they haven’t lost to the visitors since 1950, and have won this fixture in each of the last three seasons.

P 70 W 31 D 16 L 23 F 101 A 100

Notts Co Head-to-Head (23rd on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

The last time The Magpies visited Blundell Park was little over a year ago when Town produced one of their best performances of the season to record a 4-0 victory and remain top of League Two. The match included Martin Gritton’s last and Gary Cohen’s first goal for the club.

Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, McDermott, Whittle, R Jones, Croft, Francis, Kalala, Bolland (Toner, 54), Parkinson (Newey, 79), Reddy (Cohen, 71), Gritton
Subs (not used): Ramsden, Barwick

Notts Co Team: Pilkington, O'Callaghan, Edwards, Wilson, Ullathorne (Martin, 62), Pipe (Long, 54), Gill, McMahon (sent off 48), Sheridan, Berry, McGoldrick
Subs: (not used) Gavin Gordon, Palmer, Marshall

Attendance: 5,577  Report

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