We’re back on the road on Sunday as we take on Grimsby Town in our final fixture of 2024
We come into the game looking to get back to winning ways following a narrow 2-1 defeat on Boxing Day at Bradford City.
On the road this season, the Valiants boast the best away record in the league. In our twelve games away from home we have won six, drawn three and lost two. Four of these away wins have come in the form of a 1-0 victory.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Thursday’s loss:
“A bitterly disappointing game for us. Take nothing away from Andy Cook’s first strike, that would be a wonderful goal to score at any level. It’s a great goal”.
“That knocked us back really, it was an individual bit of brilliance and he took it early. We regained our composure, battled away in the first half and then got back in the game in the second half.”
“We then huffed and puffed. I thought we did well in the second half and penned them in but, once we got the sending off late in the game, that was it really.”
The gaffer also spoke about Sunday’s trip to Blundell Park:
“We have to quickly regroup as we have another away game at Grimsby which is another important match. It’s the next game we’re looking forward to and we want to get this taste from today’s game out of our mouths.”
The Opposition
The Mariners are sat in 8th place in League Two, but they are level on points with the teams placed 7th, 6th and 5th in the table.
Grimsby come into the game off the back of a 2-1 victory against Harrogate Town on Boxing Day. Second half goals from Evan Khouri and Jason Dadi Svanthorsson gave them a comfortable lead, before Harrogate hit back with what was merely a consolation goal from Stephen Duke-McKenna.
At Blundell Park, The Mariners have lost more than they’ve won. In their eleven games at home, they have lost six and won five, scoring 16 goals and conceding 21.
Who’s in Charge?
Former Crewe Alexandra manager Dave Artell is in charge of the Mariners. The former Gibraltar International joined the club in November 2023 after Paul Hurst left the club.
In his first season at the helm, Artell guided his side to safety as they finished 21st, seven points above the relegation zone.
This is Artell’s second managerial role, his first was with Crewe Alexandra where he managed over 270 games for the Railwaymen. In this time, he guided Crewe to promotion from League Two in the 2019/20 season.
Player to Watch
Danny Rose is the club's leading scorer this season. He has scored six goals so far in his 22 games played. The experienced EFL forward has played over 400 games in the Football League, scoring 87 goals.
Kieran Green is another player to keep an eye out for. The 27-year-old has five assists and two goals to his name this season from midfield.
There is a Vale link in the Grimsby side. Right-sided defender Lewis Cass has enjoyed a good run in the Mariners side.
Cass initially joined Vale on loan in the Summer of 2021 where he would make 27 appearances before picking up an injury in January that ended his season. The following season, Cass signed on a permanent deal before leaving the club last summer.
Fixture Throwback
Grimsby Town 1-2 Port Vale, Monday 28th December 2009
The Valiants haven’t won in our last five trips to Blundell Park and so we have to go back almost 15 years to the day for our last victory on the road against Grimsby Town.
Sean Rigg gave the Valiants the lead after seven minutes when his low effort squeezed underneath the Grimsby keeper from the right side of the box
Four minutes before the break Vale’s lead was doubled. Louis Dodds’ effort from close range was blocked and the rebound fell to Rob Taylor who hammered home to give Vale a comfortable lead going into the break.
Vale were reduced to ten men in the final minutes of the game when Rob Taylor was sent off. From the following free kick, Grimsby were awarded a penalty when Anthony Griffith handled the ball in the box. Barry Conlon dispatched the spot-kick, but it was too little too late as the game ended 2-1 to the Vale.
