Match report

Grimsby Snatches Victory Over Fleetwood Town in League Two Clash

Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town
0–1
FT
Grimsby
Grimsby
Jan 1, 2026

Grimsby clinched a narrow victory over Fleetwood Town with a late goal from J. Kabia in the final minute of play. Despite numerous substitutions and yellow cards distributed throughout the match, Grimsby's persistence paid off as they secured their first League Two win of the new year.

Key Facts

  • • Grimsby 1-0 Fleetwood Town in League Two
  • • Goal by J. Kabia (89') for Grimsby
  • • Foul cards given to Ched Evans (20'), H. Neal (45'+4), L. McCann (62') for Fleetwood Town
  • • Substitutions: F. Potter, Kayden Hughes for Fleetwood; J. Soonsup-Bell, G. D. Turi, C. Vernam, J. Amaluzor for Grimsby

Lineups

Fleetwood Town

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Lynch (G)
  • 44 T. Mullarkey (D)
  • 5 F. Potter (D)
  • 32 K. Hughes (D)
  • 20 H. Neal (M)
  • 16 E. Ennis (M)
  • 8 M. Virtue-Thick (M)
  • 10 M. Helm (M)
  • 14 L. McCann (M)
  • 7 R. Graydon (F)
  • 17 C. Evans (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Harrington
  • 3 Z. Medley
  • 35 C. Haughey
  • 6 E. Bonds
  • 23 G. Morrison
  • 15 J. Davies
  • 9 W. Davies

Grimsby

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 31 J. Smith (G)
  • 5 H. Rodgers (D)
  • 24 D. Tharme (D)
  • 17 C. McJannet (D)
  • 3 J. Sweeney (D)
  • 15 G. D. Turi (M)
  • 14 J. Amaluzor
  • 4 K. Green (M)
  • 8 E. Khouri (M)
  • 30 C. Vernam (M)
  • 10 J. Soonsup-Bell (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 C. Casper
  • 21 T. Warren
  • 16 R. Staunton
  • 20 G. McEachran
  • 7 J. Walker
  • 18 D. Burns
  • 9 J. Kabia

Timeline

  1. Fleetwood Town
    17' Fleetwood Town subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Potter · On: C. Haughey
  2. Fleetwood Town
    20' Fleetwood Town Card · Yellow Card
    Ched Evans

    Foul

  3. Fleetwood Town
    38' Fleetwood Town subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Kayden Hughes · On: Z. Medley
  4. Fleetwood Town
    45'+4 Fleetwood Town Card · Yellow Card
    H. Neal

    Foul

  5. Grimsby
    53' Grimsby Card · Yellow Card
    Harvey Rodgers

    Foul

  6. Fleetwood Town
    62' Fleetwood Town Card · Yellow Card
    L. McCann

    Foul

  7. Grimsby
    62' Grimsby subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Soonsup-Bell · On: J. Kabia
  8. Grimsby
    63' Grimsby subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. D. Turi · On: G. McEachran
  9. Grimsby
    63' Grimsby subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Vernam · On: J. Walker
  10. Fleetwood Town
    66' Fleetwood Town subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. McCann · On: E. Bonds
  11. Grimsby
    69' Grimsby subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Amaluzor · On: Darragh Burns
  12. Grimsby
    78' Grimsby Card · Yellow Card
    Darragh Burns

    Foul

  13. Fleetwood Town
    78' Fleetwood Town subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Virtue-Thick · On: J. Davies
  14. Fleetwood Town
    79' Fleetwood Town subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Graydon · On: W. Davies
  15. Grimsby
    87' Grimsby subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Jayden Sweeney · On: R. Staunton
  16. Grimsby
    89' Grimsby Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Kabia · Assist: Darragh Burns

Match Stats

Stat Fleetwood Town Grimsby
Fouls 13 10
Pass Accuracy 64% 69%
Offsides 1 4
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 4 8
Corners 4 2
Total Passes 341 402
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 1 1
Shots on Target 2 2
xG 0.38 1.19
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 219 276
Shots Inside Box 3 7
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 1 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Fleetwood Town's early yellow card to Ched Evans (20') set a cautionary tone early in the match.
  • ▸ The late goal by J. Kabia of Grimsby with just minutes left on the clock turned the tide, securing their first win.