The Fleet make the trip to Grimsby Town this weekend in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup with three wins in the competition already behind them. Grimsby, who lost to a last-minute goal at home to Wealdstone in the First Round last season, will be looking to get over their defeat at the hands of Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
The Fleet’s journey to the First Round
This is the first time in three years the Fleet have reached the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup after a win over Sevenoaks Town that brought about a home win over FC Halifax Town at the Kuflink Stadium.
An emphatic win for the Fleet in the Second Qualifying Round saw five goals fired past Ashford Town (Middlesex), while Faversham Town were the opposition at the Third Qualifying stage. That game was a closer one, by 2-1, before National League Solihull Moors were dispatched in the final qualifying round. Jamie Fielding and Lennon Peake were the players to send the Fleet through to Saturday’s Grimsby tie.
Grimsby Town
The Mariners have had their fair share of success in cup competitions this season having knocked out Manchester United in the Carabao Cup earlier on this season, although they were beaten 5-0 at home by Brentford in their Fourth Round meeting in midweek. They also made the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup as recently as 2022/23. The League Two side currently sit sixth in their division following a defeat at the weekend away to Crewe.
Who’s who
Charles Vernam is into his third season with the Mariners and has become a key figure in their attack. Since making his debut, the 29-year-old wide player has clocked up more than 130 appearances and found the net 21 times, leading the scoring charts for Grimsby so far this campaign, He has also represented Bradford City, Lincoln City and Derby County earlier in his career and this is his second spell at Blundell Park.
George McEachran is a 25-year-old midfielder who was a product of Chelsea’s academy and featured over 80 times for the Blues U23 side. McEachran also spent time out on loan to Dutch sides MVV Maastricht and SC Cambuur Leeuwarden before making a permanent move to Swindon Town in 2023 before making the switch to Grimsby the following season.
The manager
David Artell took charge at Grimsby Town in November 2023 and successfully guided the Mariners clear of the relegation battle during the closing stages of the 2023/24 season. He then built on that momentum, overseeing an impressive ninth-place finish in his first full campaign. Before arriving in Cleethorpes, Artell spent over five years in charge of Crewe Alexandra, leading them to promotion to League One in the shortened 2019/20 season. As a player, Artell enjoyed a long and steady career with close to 500 appearances to his name, representing clubs including Morecambe, Mansfield and Crewe, where he would later return as manager.
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