Grimsby Town v Torquay United - Match Preview - Vanarama National League

Grimsby Town will look to further grip their place in the playoffs when they welcome Gary Johnson's Torquay United to Blundell Park on Saturday.

The Mariners are coming into this fixture in very good form, winning four of their last five league games, drawing the other. Their most recent victory was a 1-0 victory away from home against relegation bound, King's Lynn Town. Substitute Tristian Abrahams with the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.

Torquay are also on some good form themselves. Their last five are exactly the same as the Mariners with four wins and a draw in their last five league games. Their last result was that draw at home to Eastleigh with the game finishing 0-0. 

In terms of where the two teams sit in the league, Grimsby currently occupy one of the four playoff places, currently sitting sixth on 69 points, four points clear of Dagenham and Redbridge who just sit outside the playoffs. 

Torquay United however currently sit one place behind Dagenham and Redbridge in ninth on 60 points, seven points adrift of Notts County who sit in the last playoff place in seventh. 

Previous Meeting

The reverse fixture at Plainmoor back in September saw Grimsby travel back to North East Lincolnshire with all three points, winning the game 3-1.

Armani Little gave the home side the lead after only 11 minutes but it was the Mariners who were leading 2-1 at the break with goals from Michee Efete and Giles Coke. 

Harry Clifton made sure the points were safe in second half stoppage time to complete a good day for the Mariners.

Team news

- Grimsby are expected to be without forward John McAtee for this fixture. The Mariners' number 10 was substituted midway through the first half at King's Lynn with what looked to be a shoulder injury. 

Manager Paul Hurst has since confirmed that McAtee has not fractured his shoulder but now awaits the results of an MRI scan.

"He (John McAtee) has had an x-ray, that was good news in regards to there was no fracture," he said. 

"He's due to have an MRI scan and he's also booked in to see a specialist. Once we've got the results and understanding of what that means, we'll be in a better position. 

"Fingers crossed we can have some more good news".

- Other than McAtee, Grimsby are expecting to name a fully fit squad. 

- For Torquay, the duo of Tom Lapslie and Chiori Johnson could be back in contention for the Gulls ahead of their trip to Cleethorpes. 

- Defender Dean Moxey came off early in the draw to Eastleigh but that seems more to do with avoiding an injury rather than him causing one. 

- Sunderland loanee Stephen Wearne is out for the remainder of the season with an ankle ligament injury. 

"Unfortunately we had too many niggly injuries to our players that we want out on the pitch. And we have got to try and clear them up," said Johnson. 

"We have got to work very hard getting a flow back into our game, because when we are flowing, and when everybody's on song, we can look like we did against Notts County."

Ones to Watch

Grimsby Town - Jordan Maguire-Drew

As Grimsby are expecting to be missing star man John McAtee this weekend with a shoulder injury, winger Jordan Maguire-Drew might be the man who steps up for this fixture. 

Albeit Maguire-Drew and McAtee play in slightly different positions on the pitch, he could be the creative spark that the Mariners need in this game and the final five games of the season. 

The 24-year-old has impressed since signing from Woking in November and has been one of Grimsby's key players ever since with his creativity and his crossing ability. 

Torquay United - Armani Little

Torquay attacking midfielder Armani Little has certainly impressed this season, scoring 14 goals in 32 appearances, including against Grimsby Town back in September. 

The 25-year-old is sure to be a big threat along with teammate Connor Lemonheigh-Evans on the attacking side of things as well as an eye for goal that both of them possess. 

The Grimsby defence of Luke Waterfall and Andy Smith will have to be on the top of their game for this one in order to keep both Little and Lemonheigh-Evans quiet. 

Managers thoughts

Ahead of the game at Blundell Park, Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst is very much weary of the threat Torquay United can pose as is expecting the game in Cleethorpes to be an open one. 

"They are a little bit behind us and three points is almost a must for them. I am expecting his team to come and want to win the game - whether that is from minute zero to 90," he said. 

"At some point I expect the game to be open. When that happens it can come down to the teams taking their chances when they arise.

"They have been very positive in their approach in the games that I have watched. They have got some good players and players that look like they are in form."

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is refusing to accept defeat in his sides quest for a playoff place. On top of that, he has told his players to go and enjoy the big games they have left this season.

"We have done a lot of homework on them of course and Paul has got his way of playing - we have been up against each other over the years," he said.

"He has got a really solid group of lads that believe in themselves. They had a bit of a bad spell for a little while, but he has turned that around now and I think they have won five out of five or something, though we have won four out of five.

"And they are formidable at home and the crowd will get behind them - and we have got to cope with that, cope with a decent team, and believe that we are a decent team. 

"We are in a good run, even though we were disappointed with the nil-nil in the last game, so we have got to go there and perform. 

"That's what we are all in football for - enjoy the big games, and now they are big."

Previous Line-up

King's Lynn Town 0-1 Grimsby Town - 18/4/22

Grimsby Starting XI: 21. Crocombe, 32. Cropper, 26. Smith, 6. Waterfall, 22. Amos, 4. Fox, 15. Clifton, 19. Wright, 25. Maguire-Drew, 12. Dieseruvwe, 10. McAtee

Substitutes: 5. Pearson, 9. Abrahams, 11. Scannell, 18. Sousa, 30. Burgess

Torquay United 0-0 Eastleigh - 18/4/22

Torquay Starting XI: 37. MacDonald, 2. Wynter, 3. Martin, 7. Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Hall, 9. Wright, 10. Little, 15. Duke-McKenna, 16. O'Connell, 21. Moxey, 31. Lewis

Substitutes: 5. Omar, 13. Wonnacott, 19. Lolos, 27. Edwards, 29. Felix

Date: Saturday 23rd April 2022

Venue: Blundell Park

Kick-off time: 15:00