Grimsby Borough Vs Consett: Match Preview

Grimsby Borough Vs Consett: Match Preview

The Wilderness Boys return to the Technica Home of Grimsby Borough on Saturday as we host Consett in our latest Northern Premier League Division One East clash (3pm kick-off).

After a disappointing defeat at Bradford Park Avenue and a hugely frustrating setback at Stocksbridge Park Steels over the past week, Manager Tom Claisse and his men will be targeting a first home success of the campaign to help kick-start their 2026/27 season.

There’s no getting away from the fact that it's been a tough opening six weeks for Borough in both league and cup, with just one victory and two draws thus far, leaving them on five points from their first eight step four matches.

However, for the most part, Claisse’s men have been competitive throughout, with fine margins often the difference in many closely contested games.

Borough will hope their fortunes change for the better quickly, starting with this weekend’s matchup against a Consett outfit who will have their eye on a play-off push this time round.

With Edwin Essel, Anane Wireko, Charlie Burden-Whittleton, and Mason Couch out injured, Claisse will likely have the same squad that deserved more than they got at Stocksbridge at his disposal, though it’s hoped AJ Adelekan could return after missing the midweek trip to South Yorkshire.

Bradley Wood, Paul Walker, Harvey Cribb, and Kieron Ceesay dropped to the bench last time out, with Luke Ayris, Charlie Clements, Josh Clarke, and Tristan Drummond starting in their place, and the Wilderness Boys may decide to freshen things up once again as they look for that winning formula.

Bismark Osei made an impressive league debut at the heart of the defence against Steels, picking up the Man of the Match award in the process, and he will be hopeful of keeping his place in the side. While Jack Barlow offers a further attacking option, having been regularly among the substitutes in recent weeks

Consett make the trip down from County Durham sat in 14th place in the early league standings, picking up seven points from their opening six matches.

Having finished 10th last season, the Steelmen will be harbouring hopes of pushing that little higher and forcing themselves into the promotion picture come the spring.

Jason Miller’s side have got off to a mixed start thus far, with an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay victory over North Shields followed up by back-to-back 1-0 NPL East defeats at Ossett United and Dunston.

They then exited the FA Cup at the hands of Marske United, before picking up their first points of the campaign with a fine 6-2 victory over Blyth Spartans that included a hat-trick from Donny Holdsworth.

Consecutive away setbacks at Silsden and Guisborough Town in the FA Trophy and league respectively followed, before the Steelmen comfortably saw off Hallam by four goals to nil, and took a point in a 1-1 stalemate with the aforementioned Silsden last time out.

Miller retained plenty of the squad that finished in the top half of the table last season, while adding some new faces in the shape of ex-Gateshead forward Oli Thompson, Gibraltar international midfielder Jesse Gomez, formerly of Blyth Spartans, and central defender Lucas Lockhart, who impressed while on trial over the summer.

Experienced full-back James Risbrough also joined Consett during the off-season following his departure from Bishop Auckland, while, more recently, winger Lucas Lowery arrived on loan from National League club Gateshead, scoring twice on debut in the win over Hallam.

The Steelmen will feel their performances have warranted more points than they’ve picked up so far, and will provide another stern test for a Borough side who are desperate for that first home victory, and more consistency overall.

The head-to-head record is evenly poised, with both sides winning on three occasions each over the previous eight meetings between the two. Last season saw both win their respective home fixtures, with Borough taking the season opener by two goals to one, while Consett wrapped up a comfortable 3-0 victory at their Belle View Stadium in February.

It promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams who will be looking to use it as a springboard to better things and push their way up the table. We look forward to welcoming all associated with Consett to the Technica Home of Grimsby Borough, and hope to see plenty there backing the Wilderness Boys.