By Grimsby look for bounceback FA Cup win
Grimsby Town are looking for a bounceback win after two successive league defeats as they travel to Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup First Round.
The game is the Mariners second in the competition this season, following an emphatic 5-0 win at Bromsgrove Sporting in the last round.
A win would be one better than last season when Town fell at the first hurdle at Dag & Red in one of Ian Holloway’s final games in charge.
Kidderminster have fallen a tier since the last meeting between the sides as they currently sit sixth in the Vanarama National League North – one level below Grimsby.
They are in mixed form, having lost two of their previous five but are unbeaten in their last three – winning twice and drawing once.
Grimsby are in similarly mixed form, with three wins and two defeats in the last five, but are strong favourites for this tie.
Speaking before the game, manager Paul Hurst has said that they will not be “taking the game lightly”.
“[We want to] win the game, get through and be part of the draw again on Monday.
“We feel we’ve got a good chance of doing that, but at the same time we’re coming up against a team at home that have had some really good wins.”
Although, some changes are expected in a hectic schedule, with James McKeown expected to be rested with Summer signing Max Crocombe coming in.
Full back Ryan Sears is fully available for the game, despite going off injured in the last game – a cruel 1-0 loss to Notts County.
Ryan Taylor “should be fine” but may not start as he is recovering from a hamstring problem, while Joel Grant “probably be involved” but won’t start.
Hurst will be keen that some of these fringe players take their chance and importantly ‘don’t underestimate’ their opponents.
“We know it’s going to be a tough test.
They’re going to be full of confidence, looking to cause a minor upset but we don’t want to be victim of that.
Should the Mariners win, they’d be just one more win away from a potential dream FA Cup tie against one of the Premier League ‘big boys’.
Elsewhere, local sides Scunthorpe host League One Doncaster and Lincoln host seventh-tier minnows Bowers and Pitsea.
For those not travelling to the game, you can listen to commentary on BBC Radio Humberside.
