Walsall's 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two campaign continues on Saturday afternoon as they take on Grimsby Town at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.NEWS & VIEWS
After opening their League Two campaign with a comfortable three-nil victory over Gillingham, the Saddlers return to action this weekend as they welcome the Mariners to WS1.
Goals from Isaac Moore, James Connolly, and Aaron Pressley saw the Saddlers add to their Carabao Cup victory over Bristol City, as they entered another determined display.
With the Saddlers and Gills creating almost forty shots between them, the match could've gone either way until the Saddlers showed that killer instinct that has been missing over recent years.
This coupled with another superb showing from Jed Ward, who produced seven saves on te way to a second clean sheet in as many games, has given the faithful plenty to get behind heading into this weekend's clash.
TEAM NEWS
Ryan Leak (hamstring) and Stan Straw are out, but Mason Hancock is back in contention as the Saddlers look to make it two wins in as many league games.
THE OPPOSITION
The Mariners also opened their 2026/27 League Two campaign with a win when Harvey Rodgers' goal ten minutes before half-time proved to be enough to defeat opponents Swindon Town.
KEY MAN
Yet to score so far this season, former Saddler Andy Cook is out one-to-watch as he looks to add to the brace hi bagged against the Saddlers last season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-four competitive meetings between Walsall and Grimsby Town, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall head-to-head lead, having won thirty-four occasions, with the Mariners securing the win twenty-six times.
There have been fourteen draws over the history of the fixture. A history which began at the Chuckery Ground on Saturday, 22nd October 1892 as Walsall Town Swifts and Grimsby Town met in a League Division Two clash, the home side winning 3-1.
There have been fourteen draws over the history of the fixture. A history which began at the Chuckery Ground on Saturday, 22nd October 1892 as Walsall Town Swifts and Grimsby Town met in a League Division Two clash, the home side winning 3-1.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Mariners' Blundell Park on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, and saw the spoils shared as the teams played out a two-all draw.
The first goal of the game went the way of the Saddlers when Priestley Farquharson scrambled the ball over the line from a Courtney Clarke corner, scoring his third goal of the campaign.
After Walsall were reduced to ten men late in the first half – goalkeeper Myles Roberts seeing red – the home side wasted little time in levelling the scores as Andy Cook came back to haunt his former side five minutes into the second forty-five.
Cook continued his streak of scoring against his former side as he put the Mariners ahead midway through the second half, adding to the Saddlers' woes.
Despite their one-man disadvantage, the Saddlers refused to lie down and went on to level the scores just a few minutes later when Aaron Pressley scored an all-too-rare goal as he got on the end of a Clarke corner kick, heading home at the back post.
The first goal of the game went the way of the Saddlers when Priestley Farquharson scrambled the ball over the line from a Courtney Clarke corner, scoring his third goal of the campaign.
After Walsall were reduced to ten men late in the first half – goalkeeper Myles Roberts seeing red – the home side wasted little time in levelling the scores as Andy Cook came back to haunt his former side five minutes into the second forty-five.
Cook continued his streak of scoring against his former side as he put the Mariners ahead midway through the second half, adding to the Saddlers' woes.
Despite their one-man disadvantage, the Saddlers refused to lie down and went on to level the scores just a few minutes later when Aaron Pressley scored an all-too-rare goal as he got on the end of a Clarke corner kick, heading home at the back post.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
At least twenty-four players have played for both the Saddlers and Mariners, with the likes of Andy Butler, Andy Cook, Jamille Matt, and Richard O'Donnell all appearing for the Saddlers and Mariners.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Matthew Russell who is based in Hampshire will take charge of the match with Oliver Nolan and Robert Evans being named as assistant referees, whilst Zachary Cunningham has been selected as Fourth Official.
Russell officiated over twenty-five games last season where he saw fit to issue fifty-seven cautions and four red cards.
CATCH THE MATCH
Kicking-off at 12.30pm, this weekend's match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ to viewers in the UK. Fans overseas can subscribe to Saddlers+ to take in the game.