Kettering v Grimsby Team News

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/01/2011

AFTER three consecutive defeats on their travels, Grimsby need to return to winning ways tonight at home to Kettering. It is the first of two games this week at Blundell Park, the second being promotion favourites Crawley. Grimsby won their last game at home 7-2.

Manager Neil Woods is under some pressure following the defeat to Chasetown in the FA Trophy, although that defeat could probably do Town a favour if they are to make a push for the promotion places. The previous two games ended in defeat, but they were two of the harder fixtures in the calendar - away at Wrexham and York.

Now the Mariners are in front of their own supporters they will be expected to win, starting with tonight's visitors Kettering. The Poppies have one of the best away records in the division, and are a strong counter-attacking side. Their danger man is Congolese winger Serge Makofo, and in Senegalese striker Jean-Paul Marna they have another African of genuine quality.

Kettering have just lost two players to Crawley, winger James Dance and defender John Dempster. Like Town they have just played three consecutive away games, and like Town they lost to Chasetown in the FA Trophy (at home). The Poppies won at Rushden, but lost at Kidderminster and Crawley, although they were leading at half time at the match at the Broadfield stadium.

Left back Lee Ridley and winger Michael Coulson are both injury doubts. Dwayne Samuels has gone on loan to Redditch, which leaves Town rather short of full backs. Scott Garner is likely to be involved, and Steven Watt is another possibility after returning from injury. Any other changes are likely to be tactical as Neil Woods looks to bounce back from the defeat to Chasetown and recapture the scintillating form of just two weeks ago.

Kettering striker Iyesden Christie is a doubt with a virus.

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