Although a home draw isn't the end of the world, the toothless second half offered as a supposed riposte to a dismal showing at Accrington was not what the majority of those watching had hoped for, especially having battled to a relatively untroubled half-time lead. It's difficult to know what makes for more uncomfortable viewing: the profligate Gills finishing on show at the start of the second half, or the dithering, no-you-go-first defensive calamity that gifted Vale their equaliser. In similar fashion to the last home league game against Newport, we'd probably have lost that last season, but even with that credit in the bank, it's an increasingly tough watch for the poor sods who've seen just six wins from our last 27 home fixtures.

We get another stab at trying to improve that unimpressive statistic tomorrow, with Grimsby the visitors to Priestfield. The Mariners made only moderate changes to their squad over the summer following their unsuccessful 2025/26 play-off campaign, the key departure being top scorer Jaze Kabia to Leyton Orient for a club-record fee in excess of £500,000. Veteran striker Andy Cook signed on permanently from Bradford following his successful loan spell at the club, where from January onward he scored eight goals. Another player signed to bolster the forward line was Josh Andrews, formerly of this parish. Sadly, it would appear he is unable to escape the injuries that plagued his time with us, and he's currently out of action again after suffering a knee injury in training.

David Artell's men started the season seven unbeaten and, a mere month ago, were sitting in the automatic promotion places. It's a testament to how tight this division is that they now occupy our coveted 17th place after four successive defeats plus Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Rochdale. As with Port Vale, I probably shouldn't mention that they've not won away from home this season—especially given our historical status of ending such crap runs for our opponents—but here we are.

Injuries? Who knows any more. Some are allegedly close to being back, although my version of close and GA's version of close appear to differ somewhat. The really broken players are all still really broken. Bradley Dack and Robbie McKenzie aside, it's pretty much as you were ahead of tomorrow, Albarus having apparently dropped off the face of the earth à la Antwi. The bench had started to look a little healthier a few weeks ago, but we're down to the bare bones again with most spots taken up by our youngsters who probably couldn't have imagined they would be as involved as they have been so far this season.

The head-to-head is heavily weighted in favour of Grimsby with 20 wins to our 12. Our away record against them is horrendous, and recent home games haven't been much better; last season's 1-4 tanking was the pits, battling back from a goal down only to hand the lead back to Grimsby on a plate via defensive ineptitude before capitulating entirely. Only three of our starting XI from that April showing could still feature tomorrow, hopefully the scars of that defeat will impel them to turn the tables for a resounding home win. We can but hope.

For the highlights you get a real treat, not only did we win 3-0 back in September 2008, but Mark McCammon scored a goal and made people cheer. It really did happen, and here it is...

Tuesday's attendance of 4,866 was our lowest in the league this season, not aided by a surprisingly low turnout of 138 in the away end. From a home perspective, we're only at 150 or so more ticket sales than for the Vale game as the inclement weather forecast, cost of living pressures and scintillating football combine to reduce the patrons in attendance. Grimsby usually travel well, ordinarily they're one of the very few teams to bring more to us than we do to them, and those numbers should help push the crowd past the 5,000 mark.

The weather looks grim for tomorrow, rain is forecast throughout and the tail end of Storm Boelo seems set to arrive by full-time. Will it be enough to blow us off course for another thunder-whelming home performance, or can we weather the Grimsby pressure with Hale striking again thereby lightning the mood around Priestfield?

On that dreadful note, I believe it is customary for me to tell you to enjoy the game, and...

COYG!!!

Although a home draw isn't the end of the world, the toothless second half offered as a supposed riposte to a dismal showing at Accrington was not what the majority of those watching had hoped for, especially having battled to a relatively untroubled half-time lead. It's difficult to know what...

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