Grimsby Borough Vs Hallam: Match Preview

Grimsby Borough Vs Hallam: Match Preview

The Wilderness Boys welcome Hallam to the Technica Home of Grimsby Borough on Wednesday evening (19:45 kick-off) as new boss Ricky Ravenhill and right-hand man Martin Woods take the managerial reins for the first time.

While it’s been a tough start to the 2026/27 season for Borough, there’s renewed hope that what is a talented squad will be able to push on, gain belief, and pick up some much needed points as we look to climb the Northern Premier League Division One East table over the coming weeks and months.

The midweek clash with the Countrymen is the first of two important home matches for the Wilderness Boys this week, and spirits have been raised going into a crucial period of the campaign.

Borough were plagued with injuries for the weekend’s trip to Heaton Stannington, with nine first-team players missing out in the 2-0 defeat.

While Edwin Essel, Anane Wireko, Charlie Burden-Whittleton, and Mason Couch remain long-term absentees, others could return to the fold. Captain Sam Topliss and fellow midfielder Josh Venney were unavailable on Saturday, and a return for the key pair against Hallam would be timely.

Attacker Jack Barlow and defenders Bismarck Osei and AJ Adelekan weren’t in the last matchday squad either, and the new management team will be hoping to have more options at their disposal for a fixture in which both sides will be targeting a vital victory.

Academy graduate Matt Williams was the latest youngster to make his first-team debut at the weekend, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute, and Wednesday’s game could provide a further opportunity to those impressing in our development teams. Grimsby Town loanee Alex Graham is in line to make his first home start for the club after joining on an initial one-month deal last week.

Striker Charlie Clements will be looking to add to his tally of 4 goals in all competitions this season, while the likes of Josh Clarke, Tom Sawyer, and Bailey Wright will be eyeing a starting spot after being among the substitutes last time out.

Hallam travel east having had a difficult beginning to the campaign themselves, picking up two points from their nine league games to date.

Managed by experienced brothers Danny and Richard Patterson, the Countrymen, who finished 12th last season, have gone through a significant squad turnover in recent months.

With some choosing to move onto pastures new in the summer, Hallam’s off-season recruitment saw them bring in defenders Jack Dando, Bolton Makwedza, and Daniel Hernandez from Lincoln United, Wakefield, and Silsden respectively.

Forwards Desmond Amponsah, who has previously featured for multiple step three and four clubs, and Rhomani Murray, formerly of Doncaster Rovers, also arrived at Sandygate, along with ex-Ossett United midfielder Connor Hodgson.

The Countrymen opened up with a 3-0 defeat at home against Irlam in FA Cup qualifying, before losing out to Lincoln United (0-2) in their first league match.

A hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bridlington Town followed, before Hallam lost consecutive away games at North Ferriby (1-0), Guisborough Town (2-0), and Bradford Park Avenue (4-1) respectively.

Their FA Trophy First Qualifying Round tie with Mossley saw a 3-3 thriller at Sandygate, with the Sheffield-based side going through on penalties.

An impressive point picked up in a 1-1 draw against Matlock Town was followed by a heavy 4-0 defeat at Consett, before more spot-kick success against Runcorn Linnets in the Trophy.

Over recent weeks, back-to-back league defeats against Liversedge and Morpeth Town sees the Countrymen currently sit one place below Borough in the step four standings.

They did, however, see off current NCEL Premier Division leaders Dearne & District by four goals to one in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup, before their luck in the FA Trophy ran out as they exited the competition on penalties after holding Prescot Cables at the weekend.

Forward Calum Ward rejoined the club from Doncaster City last week, while Hallam have also confirmed the signing of the versatile Alfie Proctor from Ossett United in time for tomorrow's match. However, promising young defender Jesse Omoregbee has departed for National League side Boston United, while Alfie Dodsworth, Steve McDonnell, Rob Guilfoyle, and Ben Grainger have moved on in search of more regular gametime.

Leon Haworth and Ethan Kachosa have been regular goalscorers in the early part of the campaign, while midfielder Jacob Priestnall’s performances have stood out.

The two meetings last season were the only occasions that the clubs have faced each other in recent times, with that particular head-to-head favouring Hallam, who won 4-2 on their last visit to North East Lincolnshire in February, while the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in South Yorkshire earlier in the campaign

It’s a big game for both sides as we search for that winning formula and a positive result to build on in the weeks ahead. We look forward to welcoming all associated with Hallam to the Bradley Football Development Centre, and hope to see a big crowd there supporting the lads.