Setting the scene…
It’s a trip to Lincolnshire for Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night for a Sky Bet League Two fixture away at Grimsby Town.
Micky Mellon’s Rovers had to settle for a point against Oldham Athletic at Prenton Park on Saturday after Connor Jennings’ second-half equaliser earned a 1-1 draw to keep Tranmere in the Play-Off places.
Grimsby also played out a draw on Saturday, with their game away at Northampton Town ending in a 2-2 stalemate, a result which halted Michael Jolley’s Mariners three-match losing run on the road.
Harry Cardwell’s late equaliser ensured ten-man Town left Sixfields with something, with the result seeing them in 20thposition heading into Tuesday’s contest at Blundell Park.
Team news
Larnell Cole could be in contention to return to the first team after missing Saturday’s game. Otherwise Micky Mellon has a full team to select from for the game.
The Mariners season so far
From their 19 fixtures played so far, Jolley’s side have won five times, as they look to put a run together and climb up the division as they sit currently in 19th spot.
Wins against Macclesfield Town, Carlisle United, Port Vale, Colchester United and Crawley Town over the first three months of the campaign have been sandwiched in between four draws and 10 defeats.
Three points for Grimsby on Tuesday could see them move up a place should results go their way.
One to watch
Wes Thomas leads the way for Grimsby in the goal-scoring charts this season, so TRFC will need to keep an eye on him.
An experienced striker across the EFL, Thomas began his playing career in the youth set-ups at Queens Park Rangers before going onto play at Non-League level with Waltham Forest, Thurrock and Fisher Athletic.
He made his EFL debut with Dagenham and Redbridge in 2008, spending time on loan with Grays Athletic and Rushden and Diamonds in that time.
Cheltenham Town secured Thomas’ services in 2010, where he scored 18 goals before stints at Crawley Town, AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Blackpool, Birmingham City, Rotherham United, Swindon Town, Bradford City prior to a two-year stay at Oxford United which saw him net 13 goals in 50 appearances at the Kassam Stadium.
The Londoner, now 31-years-old, signed for Grimsby back in August and has scored three times following his transfer to Lincolnshire.
The referee
Darren Drysdale will oversee Tranmere’s visit to Blundell Park on Tuesday.
Lincolnshire-based Drysdale has refereed 18 matches across the EFL this term, brandishing 66 yellow cards alongside three red ones.
David Benton and Geoffrey Liddle will run the line while Wayne Grunnill is the fourth official.
Tickets
Tickets and travel for Grimsby away at Blundell Park are available to purchase online.
For full details, click here
Match coverage
If you are not making the journey across to cheer on TRFC away at Grimsby Town, there are plenty of ways that you can keep up with their progress.
You can now sign up to Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, which allows access to extended highlights and interviews with manager Micky Mellon and a player, after the game.
To sign up, click here
Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @tranmererovers
Facebook: @trfcofficial
Instagram: @tranmererovers