Exeter City FC

Exeter City are back in action this Saturday and they are looking to build on a good run of form which has seen them pick up three consecutive wins.

The visitors to St James Park will be Grimsby Town, a side who are on a good run themselves, having also picked up three wins in a row and they now sit 14^th in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Mariners...

• Founded: 1878
• Stadium: Blundell Park
• Nickname: The Mariners

Adopting black and white stripes, the Mariners were most renowned for success in their early years. Their hay-day coming in the early 20th century with Division Two title wins in 1900/01 and 1933/34.

The Lincolnshire-based side most recent Football League success came in 1998 when they won the Division Three play-off final. Grimsby have been in the Football League since 2016 after securing promotion from the Conference via the play-offs.

The Manager: Michael Jolley

After excelling in a coaching capacity and working alongside impressive academies such as Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Burnley, as well as Crewe Alexandra, Jolley’s first foray into management came in 2017.

A rather unorthodox turn saw him take charge of struggling Swedish side AFC Eskikstuna who were rock bottom with four points from twelve games. Though improving markedly under Jolley, he was unable to prevent their plight as they got relegated from the Allsvenkan.

The 41-year-old then received his first taste of the Football League when taking the reigns of Grimsby in March 2018 and successfully leading them to safety. 

The Ground

• Name: Blundell Park
• Capacity: 9,052
• Year opened: 1899
• Address: Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, DN35 7PY

After leaving Abbey Park in 1898, Grimsby took up residence at Blundell Park in 1899 and it has remained their home to this day. The Mariners boast a capacity marginally above 9,000 but peaked at 31,651 when they faced Wolves in an FA Cup tie in 1937. 

One to watch: Wes Thomas

Current top scorer for the season, Wes Thomas is on eight so far in the 2018/19 campaign. The 31-year-old has a wealth of experience in the Football League but actually began his career in non-league with the likes of Waltham Forest, Thurrock and Fisher Athletic. After impressing there he then moved on to Dagenham & Redbridge before joining Cheltenham Town in 2010.

Spells with the likes of Crawley Town, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Birmingham City preceded a move to Oxford United where he spent two seasons playing 57 times and scoring 15 goals. He joined Grimsby prior to the start of this season and netted his first for the club against Port Vale in October. Very much in-form, Thomas has netted four goals in his last three matches.

Recent form guide

Grimsby began December with a 2-0 win on the road against Chesterfield in the second round of the FA Cup which preceded a narrow 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town on the road.

Town then impressed with a 2-1 win over Swindon Town at Blundell Park before they built on that result with an excellent 4-0 win over Notts County. Arguably one of their most impressive results then came on Boxing Day when they ground out a 1-0 win away from home at Port Vale.

2017/18 season in review

• Position: L2, 18th
• Average attendance: 4,658
• Top scorer: Mitch Rose, 8

After getting off to the perfect start to the season winning 3-1 at Chesterfield, Grimsby soon saw their season derail as they tailed off to mid table over the Christmas period.

A failure to win any league games after the turn of the year then saw manager Russell Slade dismissed, before now current manager, Michael Jolley, succeeded in leading the Marines to safety.

Recent Meetings

Grimsby Town 0-0 Exeter City (20/10/18) League Two

A game in which City came away frustrated to not have picked up three points after they created some good chances on the day. Grimsby perhaps started the match more lively but the Grecians improved in the second half and could’ve won it but for James McKeown’s penalty save from Pierce Sweeney.

Grimsby Town 0-1 Exeter City  (24/2/18) League Two

The ever-reliable Jayden Stockley provided the game’s only goal after he dispatched from the penalty spot in the first half.

The Grecians’ victory maintained their push for promotion as they moved up to fifth, while Grimsby stuttered once more after losing their previous two games.