Grimsby v Newport Team News

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 24/04/2013

GRIMSBY and Newport clash horns for the second time in a week at Blundell Park, but this time the prize at stake will be vastly grander than Saturday's largely meaningless game. Town have the psychological advantage of having soundly beaten a second-string Newport side 3-0, but it's unlikely to be as easy tonight.

Newport rested a lot of first team players for the final match of the season, indicating that they were happy to play Grimsby in the play-offs and avoid Wrexham or Kidderminster. The Mariners however also rested first choice players, so the personnel on display may be quite different in both camps to what they were at the weekend.

Grimsby have three players who definitely won't be involved. Striker John-Lewis and defender Simon Ford are both injured, although arguably neither would have played anyway in the first choice XI. Winger Joe Colbeck is serving the final match of his three game suspension for the red card at Dartford.

The managers have some difficult decisions to make. First of all what formation do Town play? The 4-5-1 formation at the weekend was obviously successful against Newport. Then in every position virtually there are choices to make. In goal James McKeown is not guaranteed to start after missing the last two games with injury. In defence do Town stick with Naylor or bring back Pearson? Frankie Artus and Andi Thanoj are battling for a place in midfield along with Derek Niven, assuming Craig Disley plays. Up front Cook and Hannah look like the preferred option, but Hearn is making a late claim for a starting berth after netting against Newport on Saturday. Town also have choices to make at full back and on the wings. There can be very few players who can be certain of a starting place until the team sheet is revealed.

Newport are said to be set to make up to eight changes to face Town, including top-scorer Aaron O'Connor.

Fishy Prediction: Grimsby 2 Newport 0

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