Grimsby Borough Vs Garforth Town: Match Preview

Grimsby Borough Vs Garforth Town: Match Preview

The Wilderness Boys are back in action on Wednesday evening as we host Garforth Town in the NPL Division One East at the Technica Home of Boro (19:45 kick-off), looking to bounce back from Saturday’s setback and put some points on the board for the first time in the 2026/27 campaign.

It’s another tough test awaiting Tom Claisse’s men, but the Manager and his Assistant Liam Dickens will be looking for a reaction and a confidence-boosting result from their third step four clash in the space of little over a week with the games continuing to come around quickly throughout August.

Borough have had a difficult beginning to the season. While the summer preparation matches showed plenty of promise, the competitive action has proved tough thus far, with defeats to Bourne Town in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round (0-3) followed up by league losses at Matlock Town (3-2) and against Liversedge (0-3) at the weekend.

Claisse has put together a talented squad, however, and will be hopeful for a change of fortunes that could start a positive run of form in an ever-competitive division.

Attackers Anane Wireko, Edwin Essel, and Jack Barlow missed out at the weekend, along with key midfield man Josh Venney and wide player Louis Boyd, and it remains to be seen whether any of that quintet will return to the fold for Wednesday’s clash.

In the midst of a busy early season schedule, the boss opted to rotate a little against Liversedge, with Alex Flett, Bradley Wood, and Tom Sawyer all utilised as second-half substitutes, and it’s possible the experienced trio may return to the starting line-up as the Wilderness Boys search for a winning formula.

Garforth make the trip from West Yorkshire with the overall aim of pushing for promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division come the spring, having finished in ninth place in both campaigns since being promoted from the NCEL Premier Division in 2024 via the play-offs.

They’ve retained much of the squad from last time out, including top scorer Luke Aldrich, captain Dan Coupland, and the long-serving Jamie Barkway, while adding the likes of defenders Niall Tilsley and Jack Johnson from North Ferriby, and attacking midfielder Harry Eggleston, previously of Harrogate Railway.

Experienced boss Paul Marshall, who has been in charge at Wheatley Park since 2019, guided his side through a positive pre-season, including victories against Emley, Knaresborough Town, and 1874 Northwich. The Miners then followed that up with success in their FA Cup qualifier replay with a solitary goal from Manager’s son Charlie Marshall proving enough against West Didsbury & Chorlton at the second time of asking following a 1-1 stalemate a few days prior.

Garforth began their league fixtures with an impressive 3-1 success at Dunston at the weekend; strikes from Harry Colville, Oli Patrick, and the aforementioned Eggleston proving the difference in the Tyne & Wear.

The head-to-head record shows the Miners will be seeking their third consecutive victory at the Bradley Football Development Centre, after winning 3-1 on their first visit in October 2024 and 5-0 just before Christmas last year.

Borough will hope to be more competitive this time, however, and get something from the game in the same way they have in their two away trips to Garforth in recent years, with those matchups in February and August of 2025 both ending goalless.

The Wilderness Boys will be determined to get their season up and running, though they’ll have to be at their best to achieve that against a strong Miners team who seem to enjoy their visits to North East Lincolnshire. We look forward to welcoming all associated with Garforth to the Technica Home of Grimsby Borough, and hope to see our loyal home supporters backing the lads once again.