Emley head to the Lincolnshire coast on Saturday, looking to get back on track in the Northern Premier League Division One East when we visit Grimsby Borough (3pm).

After Tuesday's defeat at Dunston, Emley's first defeat in five league matches, it's another trip, this time South East rather than North East, as we look to maintain third place in the table.

Tuesday's 3-1 loss was also our first league defeat of the season and it's to be hoped we can put it behind us and look to get back to business as we approach a busy time of the season.

Grimsby are one of a number of teams looking to push on towards the play off places and they currently sit 11th on the table, 9 points behind Emley but only 5 points off Dunston who now occupy the last play off spot.

Borough have been inactive since a 1-0 home defeat to Matlock on November 22nd and they'll be eager to get going themselves, their form has been hit and miss with 2 wins and 3 defeats in their last 5 games.

The sides have met plenty of times over the years, Emley bagging a league double last season, Borough, of course, were our first opponents back in the NPL for 25 years, Nathan Curtis securing a 1-0 on the opening day last August with a 2-1 win back at Emley four days before Christmas. We won't be repeating that this season following 1-0 defeat at home in September.

WHO ARE THEY?
Grimsby Borough were formed in 2003 following the demise of a previous club in 1992 and joined the Lincolnshire league then the Central Midlands league before promotion to the NCEL in 2008, they struggled originally in division 1, failing to finish above 13th in their first 8 seasons but then found something to finish 4th, 3rd and then eventually league champions and promotion to the NCEL Premier in 2018-19.

Following 2 abandoned seasons, they then won the NCEL Premier and won promotion to the NPL, where they have finished 11th, 12 and 17th in their 3 seasons at step 4 so far and currently sit 11th They are nicknamed The Wilderness Boys and play at the Bradley Football Centre.

LAST TIME WE MET:
23rd September 2025, NPL D1 East
Emley 0-1 Grimsby Borough,Att- 283

LAST TIME OUT:
Grimsby Borough 0-1 Matlock Town, NPL D1 E, Att- 175
Dunston 3-1 Emley (Johnson), NPL D1 E, Att- 112.

HEAD TO HEAD

Last 5 previous meetings:
21st December 2024, NPL D1 E
EML 2-1 GRI (Baldwin, Parkin) Att- 357

10th August 2024, NPL D1 E
GRI 0-1 EML (Curtis) Att- 180

9th April 2022, NCEL P
EML 0-0 GRI ,Att- 199

10th November 2021, NCEL P
GRI 2-1 EML(Doyle) Att- 130

1st December 2018, NCEL D1
GRI 0-0 EML, Att- 84

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
GRI: L, W, L, W, L
EML: W, L, W, W, L
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
GRI: 11/22
EML: 3/22
GOALS SCORED:
GRI: 29
EML: 35
GOALS CONCEDED:
GRI: 34
EML: 27
TOP SCORER:
GRI: Alex Flett/Dayle Southwell (4)
EML: Manasse Mampala (7)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
GRI: 161( 153 league)
EML: 367 (367 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Saturday 6th December 3.00pm

WHERE?
Bradley Football Development Centre
Bradley Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN37 0AG

HOW DO WE GET THERE?
M62/M18 to M180, continue on A180 to Great Coates interchange, right on roundabout onto A1136, left at roundabout s/p town centre/Great Coates/hospital. At Toothill roundabout, take the 2nd exit towards hospital (A16/A46) B1444 Little Coates road, at next roundabout, turn right following hospital, at Bradley crossroads, go straight over past Bradley pub and ground is on the left down Bradley road.
Parking is available at the ground

Public Transport
Grimsby Town station (2.5 miles) direct services from Manchester/Sheffield/Meadowhall or Via Doncaster from Leeds/Wakefield.

OWW MUCH?
Adults £10
Concessions £5,
U18's £5
U12's FREE with a paying adult.

OWT ELSE? Club house on site serving hot and cold drinks and food.