By Nathan Jackson
December 27 2004

The Imps finally reach what is considered to be the biggest Lincolnshire derby. Wednesday night sees the visit of the old enemy, Grimsby Town, their fans hate us more than Boston's do and vice versa. Can the Imps get back on track or will the Mariners get only their 3rd away win of the season?

INTRODUCTION

So we come to it at last, a game of true hatred, a game that has more fire than games against Boston and Scunny combined, a game, against Grimsby Town. Although the two clubs haven't met in the league since 1990, both sets of fans still see this as the main Lincolnshire derby and a game against the Codheads will surely be one of the most fiercely contested games of the season.

 

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

Not many injuries have cleared up since our last game at Wycombe but with the postponement of the game at Boston, many players who were injured, could possibly have recoved in time. However, players McAuley, GTF and Green are almost certain to miss out through various injuries.

Marriott

Bloomer  Morgan  McCombe  Futcher   Sandwith

Butcher  Toner

Yeo  Richardson  Carruthurs

GRIMSBY TOWN

It's been a rough few years for the Mariners, 2 years ago, they were in Division 1 and had been for many years, despite struggling the majority of the time. However, 2 relegations in the space of a year now sees them in the basement division of the football league and although they should avoid relegation to the conference, they are still nervously looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone where all the teams are starting to pick up a few points.

In a similar stance to Boston, Grimsby's home record is impressive, winning 5, drawing 6 and losing just the once, however, the away record stands at a measly 2 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats. This record currently sees them in 16th place on 29 points, 12 points ahead of the relegation places. A win would take Grimsby above the Imps.

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST GRIMSBY TOWN

The only recent game played between the two sides was in the League cup in 2001/2 when despite an early Tony Battersby goal, the Mariners came out as 2-1 winners. The Imps don't have a good record against the Mariners in general, Lincoln have won only 25 of 84 meetings with Grimsby getting 37. Grimsby also have quite a good record at Sincil Bank, taking maximum points on 15 occasions and coming away with 10 draws. The Mariners also score an average of 1.92 goals against the Imps compared to 1.44 goals a game.

The game almost certainly guarantees goals because in the 84 meetings between the two sides, only twice have there been a goalless draw, both coming before the first world war.

RECENT CONNECTIONS WITH GRIMSBY

Grimsby currently have former Imp, Terry Fleming in the squad and the Imps have former Mariner's trainee, Matt Bloomer in theirs.

Since the turn of the millenium, the only other connections have been former Grimsby players, Adam Buckley, Kingsley Black, Andy Smith and Ian Hamilton playing for the Imps whilst former Cods manager, Alan Buckley had his unsuccessful spell in charge of the Imps.

 

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