Venue: Blundell Park
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday, August 12th
Kick-off: 3pm
The Sky Blues will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Blackburn Rovers as the league season continues against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.
The Mariners started their SkyBet League Two campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Gary Caldwell’s Chesterfield at the Proact last weekend.
Goals from former Sky Blues defender Nathan Clarke, Sam Jones and a spot-kick from Ben Davies sealed the win for Russell Slade’s experienced side against one of the early promotion favourites.
Zak Mills was however dismissed late on for a kick out at Krystian Dennis so will miss Saturday’s clash, likely to be replaced by Scotland International Paul Dixon.
The Opponents
Slade brought with him to Blundell Park defender Nathan Clarke who featured 18 times during last season’s campaign. Partnering him at the back are fellow experienced heads: Danny Collins and Ben Davies, who share nearly 1000 league appearances between them, with Collins playing over 100 games in the Premier League for Stoke City and Sunderland.
In attack for the Mariners, and finding the net last time out, is former Gateshead striker Sam Jones. The 25-year-old has made a stunning rise up the pyramid in recent years after notching double figures three seasons in a row in non-league, often from attacking midfield.
Alongside him up-front will likely be former Aberdeen striker Scott Vernon who enjoyed a successful League Two campaign with the Lincolnshire club last season. The tall striker brings with him a very different threat to Jones and could be one to watch on Saturday.
Memorable Meetings
Coventry have not made the trip to Blundell Park for 14 years, when Sky Blue fans left the happier after a late penalty from John Eustace sealed a 2-0 victory after a Simon Ford own-goal opened the scoring.
When the sides met at Highfield Road that season, fans were treated to a thriller. Goals from Steve Kabba and Alan Poulton were not enough to stop the Shrimpers from leaving the Midlands empty handed thanks to strikes from Jay Bothroyd, Lee Mills and a young Gary McSheffrey in front of 12,500 fans.
Last Four Meetings
Grimsby Town 0-2 Coventry City – Championship – Saturday 1st March 2003
Coventry City 3-2 Grimsby Town – Championship – Saturday 14th September 2002
Grimsby Town 0-1 Coventry City – Championship – Wednesday 26th December 2001
Coventry City 0-1 Grimsby Town – Championship – Saturday 8 September 2001