As well we all know it's almost a year ago to the day that we were supposed to head to Grimsby for our March 2020 away fixture.

The kit was packed and ready to be loaded on the team bus, the lads were heading in to work and ready for the journey, but the Covid-19 crisis was about to strike in earnest, with the EFL rightly making the decision to suspend all football fixtures that March weekend.

And, 12-months further on, the pandemic still has a tight grip with supporters still locked out of games, and players subjected to twice-weekly tests in a bid to defeat the hidden enemy.

This is the corresponding night where we played our last pre-lockdown fixture (against Newport) before the plug was pulled ahead of that Saturday game at Blundell Park.

The Mariners don't need anybody to tell them that their current situation is perilous. 19 defeats and just six wins has seen them drop into the dreaded relegation zone, and just 23 goals scored is another symptom of a difficult season.

51 goals have been shipped at the other end, leaving them with the added headache of a sizeable goal difference of -28 to contend with.

A morale boosting home win against Crawley last month has thus far been the only victory of 2021, with a similar run before Christmas complicated yet further when boss Ian Holloway resigned amidst rumours of a potential takeover by London-based businessman Tom Shutes.

Paul Hurst returned as first-team gaffer - he had previoulsy managed Grimsby between 2011 and 2016 - just in time to undertake some January transfer comings and goings.

Defender Sam Habergham arrived from Lincoln until the end of the season as midfielder James Tilley headed out of the door to join Crawley.

And that was just the start of it as defender Rollin Menayese (Mansfield), midfielder Jay Matete (Fleetwood), striker Stefan Payne (Tranmere), midfielder Idris El Mizouni (Ipswich), striker Lenell John-Lewis (Hereford), keeper Jake Eastwood (Sheffield United), winger Joe Adams (Brentford), defender Joe Bunney (free agent), winger Julian Lamey (free agent) and midfielder Giles Coke (Hereford) all made their way to the east coast (roughly in that order). 

Time for settling in is now at a premium, but the belief at Blundell Park is that they'll click. Interesting times are ahead.

The arrival of striker Stefan Payne from Tranmere on a half-season loan deal has given the Mariners an attacking focal point that perhaps wasn't there prior to him putting pen-to-paper.

He's lively, mobile and already has a goal for his new club to his name.

A player who had to come back into the professional game via a spell on the non-league circuit, he has since built up a good level of experience with Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and Tranmere.

He'll be looking to make a mark with this latest loan, so we've gone for him as our man to keep an eye on.

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These two sides have met on a total of 47 occasions over the years - going all the way back to the 1907/08 campaign when the Mariners registered a 6-2 FA Cup home victory over the fledgling Blues.

Grimsby hold the bragging rights by some considerable margin, with 24 victories compared to United's 11. 

The first meeting of the 2020/21 campaign was a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park. Matt Pollock scored the opener but a James McKeown own goal meant it was a share of the spoils come full time.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The last time the teams met was at Brunton Park in December 2019. Both sides slugged it out, but it was clean sheets all round as the spoils were shared.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

It was a sunny Bank Holiday Monday at Blundell Park in April 2019, and the game appeared to heading to a draw until Joe Grayson grabbed a winner deep into time added on.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

United were left empty-handed at Brunton Park in October earlier in that season as a first half goal from Luke Hendrie proved to be enough to take the spoils. The Blues had chances, but it wasn't their night as the visitors shut up shop to frustrate the home crowd.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Our November 2017 trip to Blundell Park saw United give as good as they got in a tight game. Grimsby shaded the first half with the woodwork and some heroics from Jack Bonham to thank for a clean sheet. The deadlock was eventually broken when defender Clint Hill got on the end of a superb cross from Gary Liddle. 

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Things were more comfortable in the home game with Hallam Hope opening the scoring with just three minutes on the clock. It was the perfect thank you to the fans who had turned up as early as 8am on match day to help to clear snow from the pitch, and the surrounding areas, to allow the game to go ahead. Mark Ellis secured the points with a close range header with just over 15 minutes left to play.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Christopher Sarginson
Assistant Referee 1 - Ivan Stankovic
Assistant Referee 2 - Graeme Fyvie
Fourth Official - Paul Marsden
Observer - Edward Tarry

The referee for this game is Mr Chris Sarginson.

He has taken charge of 25 games so far this season showing 64 yellow cards and three reds.

We have to go back to April 2019 for our last game with Mr Sarginson, and that was an action packed 3-2 home victory over Bury. Jamie Devitt, Callum O'Hare and Hallam Hope scored the goals, and the Blues saw the victory through despite Mike Jones having received his marching orders on the stroke of half time.

He was also at Brunton Park for our November 2018 victory over Newport. Early goals from Jamie Devitt put Carlisle in the driving seat, but a late Butler strike levelled things up following a first half reply from padraig Amond. Danny Grainger snatched the last minute winner with a goal of the month volley to keep the points in Cumbria, and his was the only name taken on the day.

We saw him three times last season, with our first meeting with him for our Tuesday night away game at Luton last November. The home side scored twice in the first half and once after the break to take a 3-0 win, and Hallam Hope, Luke Joyce and Danny Grainger had their names taken for the Blues.

He was here at Brunton Park in January when a first goal for the club for Sam Cosgrove earned us a 1-0 victory over Crewe. Richie Bennett's name was the only one taken for the home side that day.

The last time we met was for our February away day in Barnet. The Bees took the lead just after the break but Ashley Nadesan [2] and Richie Bennett [1] came off the bench to change the game and make sure United went away with a valuable three points. Richie Bennett also went in the book late in the game.

This is a behind closed doors fixture. 

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