Newport County return to League Two action this Saturday as they travel to Blundell Park to take on Grimsby Town (3pm).
The Exiles will be looking to end a five-game winless run against the Mariners and secure their first away victory since a commanding 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra on February 8.
Opposition Form
Grimsby Town have enjoyed a strong season so far, with the North East Lincolnshire side pushing for a playoff spot in the final nine games of the campaign.
Currently sitting ninth in the table on 56 points—just three points off the top seven—the Mariners are well-positioned for a late-season push.
Attacking football has been a key strength for Grimsby this season. The Mariners have been one of the most potent teams in the division, ranking highly in several key attacking metrics:
- Goals per game: Joint-sixth (1.4)
- Big chances created: Sixth (80)
- Touches in the opposition box: Second (854)
However, their defensive record has been a weakness. They have conceded 49.2 expected goals (xG)—the sixth most in the league—and have kept just eight clean sheets all season.
Players to Watch
Danny Rose (Forward)
A vital figure in Grimsby’s attack, Rose has netted 12 league goals this season, making him the Mariners' top scorer.
His goal tally also sees him ranked joint-seventh in the League Two scoring charts.
Denver Hume (Left-Back)
Hume has been a creative force from the back, registering 10 assists—the most in League Two—and creating 81 chances, the joint-highest in the league.
His delivery and attacking intent make him a key threat down the left flank.
A Previous Encounter
The last time Newport County defeated Grimsby was on February 6, 2021, in a hard-fought 1-0 victory—despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the match.
Midfielder Scot Bennett was sent off in the first half for a foul on Stefan Payne, but the Exiles held firm. A second-half goal from Nicky Maynard, following a deflected Matty Dolan shot, sealed the win.
Goalkeeper Nick Townsend played a pivotal role, making six crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet and secure all three points.
Head-to-Head Record
Newport and Grimsby have met 37 times since their first encounter in 1921, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Newport.
Overall Record
- Grimsby Wins: 16
- Draws: 9
- Newport Wins: 12
Grimsby have had the upper hand in recent meetings, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches against Newport, with two wins and three draws.
Their most recent triumph came on April 6, 2024, when they edged out the Exiles 1-0.
Newport’s last double over Grimsby came in the 2020-21 season, when they won 2-0 away in December and 1-0 at home in February—their most recent victories against the Mariners.
Shared Shirts
One player who currently plays for the Exiles, Anthony Glennon, joined the Exiles in the summer from Grimsby after making 60 appearances for the Mariners. Glennon has been a key contributor to Newport’s attack, with seven assists so far this season.
A former County Cult Hero has also played for both Grimsby and Newport. Padraig Amond joined Grimsby Town on 1 July 2015, signing a one-year contract. Amond quickly became a fan favourite, scoring in his debut match against Kidderminster Harriers and bagging a brace in a 4-1 win over Bromley.
His career at Grimsby flourished as he netted a memorable hat-trick in a 7-0 victory over FC Halifax Town. His crucial contributions helped secure Grimsby’s promotion to the Football League after a 3-1 win over Forest Green Rovers in the 2016 play-off final, where he scored 30 goals in 40 appearances.
In May 2017, Amond made the move to Newport County, where he cemented his place as a club legend. His goalscoring feats included a memorable strike against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in the 2017-18 FA Cup, as well as finishing as Newport's top scorer in the 2018-19 season with 24 goals across all competitions.
Amond continued to shine in key moments, including scoring crucial goals in FA Cup ties against Leicester City and playing an important role in Newport’s play-off final appearance in 2021.
Key Facts
- Grimsby Town are unbeaten across their last five league games against Newport County (W2 D3), conceding just two goals in total in that time.
- Newport County have won just two of their last 15 away Football League games against Grimsby Town (D2 L11), a 2-1 victory in January 2018 and a 2-0 success in December 2020.
- Grimsby have lost each of their last two league games and could lose three in succession for the first time since October 2023
- Newport have won just one of their last 12 away league games (D4 L7), losing each of their last three in succession whilst conceding 10 goals in total in the process.
