GRIMSBY TOWN v WREXHAM – Pick 1 AH0 – 21 December 2012

Grimsby have been solid at home

National League Tips

GRIMSBY TOWN v WREXHAM
Football – England – Blue Square Premier
Friday 21st December 2012 – Kickoff:  1945hrs

Friday night brings us a mouth-watering prospect at the top of the Blue Square Premier as second placed Grimsby Town take on third placed Wrexham at Blundell Park with just one point and one position separating them in the non-league elite.

Grimsby Town have put in some solid results with the odd defeat here and there but it’s just two defeats in their last nine which has maintained their challenge for promotion honours but it won’t be easy with the top five positions being filled by teams such as Newport County, Grimsby Town themselves, Wrexham, Forest Green Rovers and per-season promotion favourites Luton Town.

Nevertheless, it’s the team that can hold their nerve and the most consistent that takes the BSP title and moves up into the football league with the big-boys in what is arguably the hardest division to gain promotion from.

Grimsby’s home record stands at  7-1-3  23/8 and they possess the meanest defensive record at home in the division – The Mariners have also kept five clean sheets so far on home turf and will be hard to break down again tonight I dare say. In addition, Grimsby also have attacking options in the shape of Hannah (9 goals), Disley (4 goals), Pond (4 goals, 3 assists) and Colbeck (5 assists) and they could take advantage of Wrexhams recent indifferent performances in the BSP.

Onto the visitors then and Wrexham have been held up a couple of times recently in their push to challenge Welsh rivals Newport County for top position as they’ve lost to Hereford United and Kidderminster in recent weeks along with being held at home in a 1-1 draw with Gateshead.

The Dragons have inflicted crushing defeats on lower half clubs Braintree Town 5-1 and Nuneaton Town 6-1 but these results are expected of them if they consider themselves true promotion material. Wrexham’s away record stands at  5-3-2  18/10 and they lost their first away match in nine outings when they lost at Kidderminster a couple of weeks ago.

However, when you look at their defeats on the road (mixed in with all the wins and draws) you’ll notice that they tend to struggle against the top half teams on their travels which is a statistic worth noting here and gives Grimsby a better than average chance of taking the points here tonight.

Grimsby have been solid at home with a strong defensive unit behind them while Wrexham have flattered to deceive a little in recent weeks so I’ll back The Mariners (again with the round ball) as its a top of the table clash but don’t be surprised if Grimsby edge this one perhaps 1-0.

Pick: Grimsby Town AH0 @ 1.74 Pinnacle