Notts County 4-1 Grimsby Town
Solitary League Two fixture taking place on Thursday
Hosts yet to win this season in their opening two games
Grimsby have won once heading into their trip to Meadow Lane
Alasaana Jatta gives Magpies early lead while Dan Crowley doubles their advantage
Jodi Jones curls in cross-turned-shot to put hosts 3-0 up but Harvey Rodgers gets Grimsby on the scoresheet just before half-time
Crowley bags second with deflected effort just before the hour mark to put Notts County in control
These sides drew 5-5 in remarkable display in most recent league meeting in January
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Dan Crowley (15 mins)
What an opening 15 minutes for Dan Crowley! The Notts County skipper made the first goal and now has the second, controlling a cross from Jodi Jones before firing into the far corner.
I was going to say on his chest but the replay shows it was chest onto hand before his shot into the back of the net. Notts County perhaps a touch fortunate with that call?
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
That's the end of Jordan Davies' night so a former neighbour of mine Callum Ainley is on. He's had a tough year or so so it's great to see him back on the pitch.
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
Jordan Davies felt his hamstring as soon as he had that shot charged down and the Grimsby man is in a heap on the pitch now asking for treatment. Not good signs.
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
Mark Stallard
Former Notts County striker on BBC Radio Nottingham
Image source, PA MediaHaving said that it was all Notts County before the goal, since the goal it's been all Grimsby!
The game has flipped completely. From Notts it has been sloppiness, it has to be said.
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
Some game this! It could now be 1-1 as Jordan Davies gets clear of a scrambling defence, his shot is charged down but falls for Charles Vernam inside the area, his low shot is on target but is kicked clear by Alex Bass.
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
Almost two - Cameron McJannet has to slide in to clear another testing cross away from his own goalmouth. Grimsby are getting a working over at the moment.
Notts County 1-0 Grimsby
Gary Croft
Former Grimsby defender on BBC Radio Humberside
It's the Dan Crowley show isn't it?
That was magnificent from him again - he had so much space. He whips into the perfect position, right in front of the keeper.
Alassana Jatta doesn't hit it perfectly but he gets just enough.
Alassana Jatta (6 mins)
Image source, PA MediaQuality again from Dan Crowley, who's had as good an opening six minutes as you can have without scoring.
On the right, he beats a man and threads in a lovely curling cross that is crying out for a big man in the middle to get a touch and Alassana Jatta does just that, turning it in from a few yards out with his left shin.
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby
These two sides shared 15 goals in their two League Two meetings last year and Notts County look in the mood for a hatful tonight as well. The Mariners are yet to take a breath or get the ball out of their half.
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby
Gary Croft
Former Grimsby defender on BBC Radio Humberside
Dan Crowley is the man of the game at moment.
He's very comfortable in possession and the way that ball was heading, I thought it was going in.
Magnificent save from Jordan Wright.
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby
Chance - and a good save! Sparkling football from Notts County as Dan Crowley picks the ball up in the hole, skins a man and fires in a low shot which is heading in until Jordan Wright gets down really well to make the save at full stretch!
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby
Bright start from the hosts with skipper Dan Crowley making a break down the left but he can't connect with a team-mate in the middle.
I know you were all thinking it but Grimsby are in a pale yellow and red number of an away kit tonight.
Notts County 0-0 Grimsby
Bubbling atmosphere, Thursday night lights, let's hope for a top-class game!
We are off at Meadow Lane.
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesSay what you like about supporting Notts County or Grimsby but it's not boring.
Both sides have been promoted or relegated 31 times - a record ahead of Bolton (30).
They’ve won promotion to or within the Football League 14 times which is the joint-most with three other teams, but they are the only two sides to be relegated from or within the Football League 17 times.
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
I know I've already mentioned Wrexham once, but Grimsby provide another link to the Hollywood-backed side who found themselves rivals of both of these clubs in recent years.
Jordan Davies featured heavily in the TV documentary, and Wrexham's rise from non league to League One, but is now on loan with the Mariners and scored a sensational free-kick to beat Cheltenham last weekend. One to watch, for sure.
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Image source, BBC SportIs it too early to show a graphic of the League Two table? Of course it is.
Have two EFL clubs already lost their manager? Of course they have.
You don't get the chance to make a slow start these days. But where should tonight's two clubs be aiming to finish in League Two this season? And where will they end up?
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesMacauley Langstaff scored 70 league goals in 90 starts for County before moving on to Millwall last month - the sort of departure that would leave a hole in any team.
Gambian gamble Alassana Jatta is the man tasked with filling his boots and the striker has scored in each of the last two games. A solid start.
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
Stuart Maynard has just been asked if tonight's game will be fun.
"No," he says. That's the spirit.
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
Notts County boss Stuart Maynard makes three changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Fleetwood. In come Scott Robertson, Nick Tsaroulla and Curtis Edwards for Adam Chicksen, Jack Hinchy and Cedwyn Scott.
Notts County: Bass: Bedeau, Platt, Macari; Robertson, Crowley, Edwards, Jones; Tsaroulla, Grant; Jatta
Grimsby are unchanged from the XI that started Saturday's thrilling 3-2 win over Cheltenham.
Grimsby: Wright; Khouri, McJannet, Rodgers, Cass; Davies, McEachran; Vernam, Green, Barrington; Wilson
Notts County v Grimsby (20:00 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesTwo games, two draws.
Notts County have not got off to the sort of start they would have wanted to and come up against another black-and-white-striped sleeping giant of sorts tonight in the form of Grimsby Town.
Stockport and Wrexham may have departed but League Two remains a tricky beast.
Will it be third time lucky for the Magpies?
Dan Crowley has now scored 17 goals in 49 league appearances for Notts County
Notts County's Dan Crowley scored two goals and created another as his side beat Grimsby Town 4-1 at Meadow Lane to record their first League Two win of the season.
A teasing cross from the Magpies captain helped Alassana Jatta to steer in his third goal in three games to put the hosts in front, before Crowley ghosted in unmarked to double the advantage.
Jodi Jones then curled in a delightful chipped goal, only for Harvey Rodgers to reduce the visitors' deficit by finding the far corner.
Crowley's deflected strike added gloss to the scoreline in the second half, as Notts County moved up to fourth in the early-season table and Grimsby slipped to 16th.
The first clear chances of the night were a sign of things to come. A brilliant reaction save from Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright prevented Crowley's low drive from giving the home side the lead.
But these teams shared 15 goals in their two League Two meetings last year, so it was only a matter of time until the net rippled.
Before the Mariners could draw breath, the hosts' skipper fired in a dangerous ball, which only required the slightest of touches for Jatta to turn home.
Grimsby could have equalised soon after, but Magpies keeper Alex Bass was alert enough to kick away Charles Vernam's powerful strike.
Crowley then capped off his lively opening to the game by controlling the ball with his chest and firing it into the far corner, though there was a suggestion of handball as he attempted to cushion Jones' delivery.
Jones then floated a ball in from the right which sailed over the goalkeeper and crashed in off the post, with only the menacing winger knowing if he meant it as a shot.
Harvey Rodgers' neat finish pulled a goal back for Grimsby on the stroke of half time, only for Crowley to have the last laugh in a quieter second half, as his shot spun into the goal off the helpless Mariners defender Cameron McJannet.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
| |
| 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
| |
| 19 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| |
| 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| |
| 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
| |
| 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |
|
Manager: Stuart Maynard
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
Manager: David Artell
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Stuart Maynard
Formation: 3 - 5 - 1 - 1
Manager: David Artell
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
League Two
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The two league meetings between Notts County and Grimsby Town last season saw a combined 15 goals (3-2 Notts County home win, 5-5 draw in Grimsby’s home game), with only Harrogate Town v Mansfield Town (16) producing more in the EFL in 2023-24.
Grimsby Town are winless in five Football League away games at Notts County (D3 L2), losing both of their last two such trips. They last lost more in a row away to the Magpies in the top four tiers in April 1973 (run of 5).
Notts County have drawn each of their opening league games this season and haven’t drawn all three of their opening outings of an EFL season since 2007-08.
After beating Cheltenham Town 3-2 last time out, Grimsby Town will be looking to claim successive league wins for the first time since March 2023.
