Match Sponsors:

Founded in 2008 by Managing Director Steffan Dancy, Rydal Communications has enjoyed a rapid progression from its beginnings in a small home based location. Today it operates from a two-storey office base, employs a workforce of twenty and maintains that ‘family team’ approach which has contributed to its success over the years.

Two factors have remained constant – Steffan’s initial vision to provide high quality consultative advice to telecom buyers and Rydal’s aim to maintain an excellent reputation through delivery of its three core values – Consult, Connect & Care

Consult – Independently explore bespoke solutions

Connect – Regular communication to ensure that the client’s product & services evolve in line with organisational change

Care – Rydal’s ongoing commitment to a personalised working relationship and first class customer service.

Contact Rydal Communications on 01733 511116 or visit www.rydalcomms.co.uk

Matchball Sponsor – Happy Birthday Phil Bates, from all your family and everyone at The Hive London!

Team News:

Dan Sweeney is still recovering from the knock he picked up during the game against Newport County on Tuesday night.

Curtis Weston and Richard Brindley are both back out on the grass and are close to a return to first-team action.

Elliott Johnson (knee) and Dave Tarpey (knee) are both sidelined with their long-term injuries.

Last Time We Met:

The last time the two sides met was in April 2017, where Barnet ran out 3-1 winners over Grimsby Town at The Hive London.

John Akinde opened the scoring after 21 minutes before David Tutonda doubled the sides advantage five minutes before the break.

The score was 3-0 in the 53^rd minute, Curtis Weston putting the Bees out of sight.

Grimsby thought they had started a comeback when Craig Disley got on back with 15 minutes left to play, but it wouldn’t be enough.

This closed the gap between the two sides, Grimsby in 14^th, Barnet in 15^th.

Manager:

Russell Slade is currently in his second spell in charge of the Mariners after previously taking the reins between 2004 and 2006. 

During that time, the 57-year-old led the club to within a whisker of promotion to League One, only missing out by a single goal in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium. During his 23-year career as a manager, Slade has also been in charge at Cardiff, Leyton Orient, Brighton, Yeovil, Scarborough, Sheffield United and Notts County.

He’s won League One Manager of the Year on two occasions, in 2007 at Yeovil and in 2014 at Leyton Orient, picking up the monthly accolade three times at Orient.

Dangerman:

October’s EFL Young Player of the month Siriki Dembele made his professional debut for Grimsby Town against Chesterfield in the first game of the league season. 

Older brother of 14-year-old Celtic wonderkid Karamoko, Siriki has played in all 19 of Grimsby’s Sky Bet League Two fixtures this season, scoring four goals and picking up two assists, including a brace in a 3-2 away with against Cheltenham Town.

The 21-year-old spent his youth career in Scotland at Dundee United and Ayr United, before joining the Nike Football Academy in 2016, where he played alongside current New Zealand international Myer Bevan.

With plenty of his career ahead of him, he’s certainly managed to impress in his short career so far, but Dembele will continue to develop and push through the leagues. Eligible for England, Scotland or Ivory Coast, he’ll have a big decision to make later in his career.

Connections:

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro spent 18 months at Blundell Park between 2008 and 2010. During his time at the club, he made over 50 appearances for the Mariners, scoring eight goals and assisting five times. He left for Rochdale in the summer of 2010, before joining Barnet from Shrewsbury in 2016. If he features tomorrow, it’ll be the Frenchman’s 50th appearances for the Bees.

Last Time Out:

In their previous fixture, Grimsby beat Swindon Town 3-2 at Blundell Park despite being behind at half-time.

Jamille Matt gave Grimsby an early lead in the 11th minute, but two quickfire goals from Keshi Anderson (26’) and an own goal from Matt (28’) saw them go into the break 2-1 down.

Siriki Dembele equalised for the Mariners with 20 minutes left to play before Mitch Rose completed the turnaround with his 86th-minute winner, his first for the club.

That win saw Grimsby leapfrog Cambridge United into 14th, while Swindon’s automatic promotion push took a hit as they stay 5th, now five points off third place.

Ticket info:

Supporters can find out more about tickets details here

Keep up with the game:

Full match commentary from every game is available on iFollow. If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland, you can watch the game live on iFollow.

You can also get live match updates on Twitter throughout the afternoon. We are also on Facebook and will go behind the scenes on our Instagram.

Special Offers:

Purchase a matchday programme for tomorrows game and get a £5 voucher off Football Manager 2018 in the Club Shop while stocks last!