Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Blundell Park will host Tuesday’s football game between Grimsby Town and Colchester United, the two bottom-table sides. The Mariners suffered a dip in form, with the team losing to both Accrington and Stockport County in the last two league matches. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team ahead of the midweek clash, but Rekeil Pyke could start this time out.
The U’s, on the other hand, aim to recover from a 2-1 defeat to Harrogate, but beating Grimsby on the road is easier said than accomplished. A close encounter is on the cards at Blundell Park and we predict that the two sides are going to share the spoils on Matchday 15. Both Hopper and Edwards are pushing for a start as Ben Garner should opt to make changes to the team that suffered the defeat against the Sulphurites.
Highlighted Player (Mark Oxley):
Born in Sheffield, England, on the 2nd of June, 1990, Oxley's football journey started as a Rotherham youth product. The English International signed his first professional contract with the Millers in 2007 but failed to make a single appearance for the club during that season.
The following season, he signed for Hull City, who, in turn, sent him out on successive loans to clubs like Walsall, Grimbsy Town, Oldham Athletic, and Hibernian. The 6ft 3-inch goalkeeper's professional debut meanwhile, came on the 27th of February, 2010, playing for Grimbsy in a 2-0 away loss to Dagenham in League Two. Oxley's performance during his six-month loan period with Hibernian earned him a permanent deal. He signed a two-year contract starting with the club in July 2015. In his time at the Scottish outfit, he made 90 appearances and kept 35 clean sheets. Oxley then joined his current club Southend in July 2016 on an initial two-year deal.
He had a fantastic first season, winning both fans' player of the year and players' player of the year awards. As of August 2018, Oxley has signed a contract extension and also got given the captain's armband. On the International forefront, the 29-year-old is a former youth International having capped once for England at the under-18 level.
Highlighted Team (Grimsby):
Founded back in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham, Grimsby Town are a professional football club that compete in League Two, the English fourth tier. Grimsby Town welcome their opponents at Blundell Park, the stadium which has the capacity of 9,027 people (all seated).
The Pilgrims are well known for their black jerseys with white stripes, whilst blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. Grimsby Town made it to the FA Trophy final on two occasions (2012/13, 2015/16), but they have yet to win the title in the competition. The likes of Hull City and Scunthorpe United are regarded as the club’s main rivals.
The Pilgrims registered their biggest win on September 4, 1925, as they crushed Tranmere Rovers 8-0. Speaking of their heaviest loss, Grimsby Town were beaten by Arsenal 9-1 on January 28, 1931. Pat Glover is sitting in top position in the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 180 league goals on his account.