Notts County return to Meadow Lane for more Vanarama National League action this weekend, as the Magpies welcome Grimsby Town in a game they will be hoping to return to the play-off places from.
Notts come into the fixture off the back of their first defeat in nine, seeing an impressive unbeaten run come to an end following their loss to Bromley. A goal against the run of play by Jude Arthurs turned out to be enough for the Ravens to send Ian Burchnall’s side home empty handed. Beyond the full-time whistle, Burchnall stated that there was absolutely no need to rush into the market to bring in a forward, despite fans expressing their worries online that the goals seem to be drying up given the past two outings which have seen their side unable to score in either. Due to this, January concluded uneventfully with only Zak Brunt and Vitezslav Jaros checking into the club. As for this weekend, these two sides have faced off already this season. The game came right back in October at Blundell Park, where a last-minute strike from Ruben Rodrigues sent the away end into ruptures as the goal meant the Magpies left 0-1 winners. Times have changed drastically since that meeting, as both sides sit outside the play-off places currently. However, with Notts County having two games in hand with the potential to go up to second if all three games go in their favour, it will come as no surprise to see the Magpies come out of the blocks quickly this weekend in quest of an early goal to silence an away end in which will be filled by 2,500 travelling Mariners.
As for Grimsby Town, they come into the fixture off the back of a 2-1 home win over Wealdstone. Two goals on the day from former Stones defender Michee Efete gave the Mariners the all-important three points as they head to Nottingham this weekend for the big game. Paul Hurst’s side have a favourable away form for their opponents this weekend as they have failed to win any of their last eight on the road. Along this run, Grimsby Town were also eliminated from the Emirates FA Cup by Kidderminster Harriers. In their last five outings in the Vanarama National League, the Mariners have only collected six points out of a possible fifteen, with defeats by FC Halifax Town, Wrexham AFC, and Bromley. It has been a majorly difficult past two months for Town, but it is essential to not underestimate the quality they possess in their side. Currently sitting tenth in the league, the visitors will be coming to settle for nothing less than a victory due to the fact that victory would see them level on points with Notts County for the time being, as things could and more than likely will change as all teams level up on the number of games played. In conclusion to this, there is a lot at stake this weekend at Meadow Lane.
So, what can you expect from this fixture?
Undoubtedly an incredible atmosphere. In recent years, Notts County v Grimsby Town has attracted some of the biggest crowds within the league that season. During those meetings, the clubs have developed a real disliking for each other so I would expect Saturday to have that derby kind of feeling. Ian Burchnall will undoubtedly be demanding an immediate response from his side, and I feel like he will get that despite the quality Grimsby Town possess. The Magpies have only been defeated once in the league at Meadow Lane this season and I don’t see that number increasing this weekend and if they are serious on challenging for the title this year, they must win this game.
My personal prediction: Notts County 2-0 Grimsby Town.
Current form:
- Notts County: WWWWL
- Grimsby Town: LWLLW
Probable line-ups:
- Notts County: Slocombe, Richardson, Brindley, Cameron, Lacey, Taylor, Brunt, Palmer, Rodrigues, Roberts, Wootton.
- Grimsby Town: Crocombe, Amos, Clifton, Waterfall, Efete, Raikhy, Sousa, Coke, McAtee, Pearson, Taylor.
Venue & time:
- Meadow Lane, 3pm Saturday 5th February 2022.
*Article provided by K-Ci Rennicks (Notts County Correspondent).
*Main image @Official_NCFC Ian Burchnall is hoping his side can return to winning ways.
