The Match

Wrexham's home form last season was good but Grimsby did do the double over the Red Dragons and Wrexham will be looking to gain revenge and to start the home campaign off with a win.

The Marriners

Following their play off final defeat to Cheltenham last season, Grimsby parted company with manager Russell Slade with Slade's assistant, Graham Rodger, taking over first team affairs. This is Rodger's first full time managerial job after previously holding the Caretaker's job at Grimsby for six games prior to Nicky Law's appointment in March 2004.

Grimsby were rocked on the eve of the season when last season's top scorer Michael Reddy handed in a transfer request after the Mariners had taken up the option on his contract to extend it to the end of this season. Reddy could not have timed his request any better, especially as he was still struggling with the groin injury that kept him out of the end of last season.

The most noticeable face to arrive at Blundell Park during the close season was experienced winger Peter Beagrie, who is famous for his trade mark somersault celebration when he scores a goal. The fact that he can still do this at the ripe old age of 40 is a testament to his fitness levels, as he starts his twenty third year as a professional footballer.

Also to arrive in the summer is goalkeeper Phil Barnes from Sheffield United, Harry Harkins from Blackburn and Isaiah Rankin from Brentford. It did not take the former Arsenal trainee to long to open his account with the Mariners as he grabbed the equaliser in the 3-2 with over Boston on the weekend.

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Apr 06: Grimsby 2 Wrexham 0

Dec 05: Wrexham 1 Grimsby 2

Mar 04: Wrexham 3 Grimsby 0

Jan 04: Grimsby 1 Wrexham 3

Mar 98: Wrexham 0 Grimsby 0

Last season Grimsby took all six points off Wrexham and although there can be no arguments about the away game, Wrexham were really unlucky to lose 2-1 at home on New Year's Eve. A Mark Jones goal on the stroke of half time had given Wrexham the lead but their failure to grab the crucial second proved costly as second half strikes from Reddy and Downey earned The Mariners all three points.

In the away game last April, Wrexham were never really in it and went down 2-0 with goals coming in either half.

Overall in the league, Grimsby edge out Wrexham with 20 wins to 19 and there have been 11 draws in the 40 league games played between the sides.

League Form Guide

Grimsby came back from two goals down at home to local rivals Boston to win their Lincolnshire derby 3-2. The Mariners got off to a bad start with Francis Green and Julian Joachim putting Boston into a command position but the introduction of teenage striker Peter Bore turned the game around. The eighteen year old grabbed one back with his first touch in league football and scored the winner with eleven minutes left after Rankin had equalised for Grimsby.

Wrexham equally got off to a bad start at Wycombe on the weekend with Tommy Mooney scoring after just six minutes. Wrexham got better as the game wore on with Mark Jones scoring the equaliser after the home keeper went on a walk about with Jones lobbing in from about forty yards on the half hour mark. Wrexham had chances in the second half but failed to make the most of their opportunities but will be content with a point against a team who were in the play offs last season.

Bookies View

Wrexham are favourites with the bookies with 13/10 the best price on offer with UK Betting, Total Bet and Expekt. The Grimsby win is on offer at 2/1with Bet Direct, Sporting Odds, Stan James, Premier Bet and Bet 365, who also have the draw at 23/10.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham will have new signing Josh Johnson available for selection after the Trinidadian winger returned back to the UK on the weekend after being grated a settlement visa to play professional football. Wrexham remain with out the injured Shaun Pejic (Achilles), Lee Roche (Broken toe) and Lee McEvilly (foot). Defender Mike Williams remains a doubt for the game after being rushed to hospital on Friday night after coming down with a virus.

Wrexham Squad (18): Ingham, Michael Jones, Spender, Steve Evans, Lawrence, Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Valentine, Danny Williams, Ferguson, Crowell, Mackin, Mark Jones, Johnson, Done, Llewellyn, Roberts, Reed.

Grimsby Team News: Gary Cohen is definitely ruled out for Grimsby as he is still out of action with a knee injury. Teenage striker Peter Bore may force himself into contention for a starting place after scoring a brace against Boston on the weekend.

Referee: The match referee is Dean Whitestone from Nottinghamshire. Last season he refereed 21 games, sending off 3 players and booking 52 at an average of 2.48 per game.

Other Games

Darlington, the opening weekend's biggest winner with a 4-0 hammering at home to Macclesfield, provide the opposition for Accrington's first home match back in league football. Lincoln City also travel to Hereford for their first home game back in the league after nine years of conference football.

Chester find themselves in third courtesy of their 2-0 with over Accrington and they travel to Gigg Lane to face Bury with the Shakers looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against the MK Dons.

Peterborough were the other big winners of the weekend and they travel to Boston for the only Wednesday night game this week.

Venue Guide

Address: Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AH

Telephone Number: 01978 262129

Fax Number: 01978 357821

Web Site: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk

Grimsby Websites

• Official Web Site
• Cod Almighty
• Electronic Fish Cake
• Supporters Trust
• Evening Telegraph

How to get there?

By Train: Wrexham General is next to the ground and there is a service every two hours between Chester and Shrewsbury. There is also an hourly service between Wrexham and Liverpool. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: The Turf is right next to the Kop but it gets very busy in the hour leading up to kick off, so arrive early. The Official Supporters Club has use of the Centenary Club on matchdays and this is located behind the Sainsburys Stand with the entrance off the club car park. The Plas Coch Retail Park has a pub and is normally a favourite for away supporters. The Railway is located down the side road along the Remploy factory at the opposite end of Crispin Lane to the ground. There are plenty of pubs in the town centre and the closet to the ground is a Wetherspoons Pub by following Mold Road into the town centre and is found on your left hand side. If you continue into the town centre McDonalds will be on your left and the next pub you reach is The Horse and Jockey and opposite that under the archway is a good chip shop. There are more pubs on High Street and to find them continue pass the Horse and Jockey, passing Burger King on your left, and High Street is the junction with Burtons.

Cash Machines: The Shell Garage on Mold Road with further machines at Sainsburys and Boots on the Plas Coch Retail Park. If you are heading into the town centre you will pass a number of banks on your way to the pubs.

How much to get in?

Family Tickets:

1 Adult & 1 Children: £20 all areas

1 Adult & 2 Children: £26 all areas

2 adults & 2 Children: £42 all areas

Must be purchased in advance from the ticket office

Young Persons: Only available to members and tickets must be purchased in advance from the ticket office.

Disabled Facilities

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