Harrogate Town v Grimsby Town: Sulphurites close to sealing League Two safety 'deal'

With five games left to play in 202425, the Sulphurites head into the weekend nine points clear of 23rd-placed Morecambe, meaning that victory over the Mariners could potentially open up an 11-point gap to the League Two relegation zone.

With the bottom two of Morecambe and Carlisle due to face-off, there are of course a couple of possible permutations that will affect exactly where Town stand come Saturday tea-time.

But, the bottom line is that if they can do their bit and upset a promotion-chasing Grimsby side, then they will, at the very least, remain a minimum of nine points clear of danger with just four games remaining for whoever ends the weekend in 23rd position to try and reel them in.

While he isn’t taking anything for granted at this stage, Harrogate’s manager knows exactly how big a win against the Mariners would be for his team.

“We have to seal the deal, and the sooner the better," said Weaver. “The motivation is there in the changing room and we could be 95 percent safe if we do our job.

"It’s a massive incentive. It has been a long, hard season. There have been so many battles, and obstacles to overcome. So, if we can get that win on Saturday, you could probably envisage us going from strength-to-strength as a club.

"We are in a lot stronger position personality-wise and player-wise. We feel like we can be a match for anyone in the league now. But we have to seal the deal and go out there and be a forceful team and show a lot of personality again.”

The biggest factor in Town’s favour heading into Saturday’s fixture is how well they have been performing at Wetherby Road in recent months, winning four of their last five matches there during an eight-game unbeaten run which stretches all the way back to January 4.

They also boast a perfect Football League record in home clashes with Grimsby, having come out on top in each of the previous three encounters.

Last season, a fairly drab midweek affair ended 1-0 in the hosts’ favour as George Thomson’s eye-catching long-range effort proved sufficient to decide matters.

The Mariners’ previous visit saw them lose 3-2 in painful fashion on Boxing Day 2022, Kayne Ramsay’s late strike hitting a post and bouncing into the back of the away net off goalkeeper Max Crocombe.

Seventh-placed Grimsby did however end their five-match winless run against Harrogate earlier this season, triumphing 2-1 at Blundell Park on Boxing Day.

And, while Town (20th) have been very good at home of late, David Artell’s men are a force to be reckoned with on the road.

Having tasted victory in 10 of their 20 away games this term, their tally of 32 points is the fourth best in League Two and just two less than Doncaster, who currently have the best 2024/25 record on their travels.