Mansfield Town under 18s will be hoping to progress to the Youth Aliiance Cup semi-final when they travel to Grimsby Town on Saturday (kick-off 11:30 am).
The Stags have won all four games in their group to secure a commanding 100% qualification to Saturday’s quarter final with a 3-0 win over Walsall. Striker Nyle Blake and Riley O’Sullivan set the Stags on their way to 100% qualification before centre-back Aiden Walker finished off the Saddlers.
Last time out for the under 18s, strikers Iyrwah Gooden and Jake Dumbleton’s goals were enough to beat Hartlepool United at the Worksop Van Hire Stadium.
The 2-0 win also saw a sixth clean sheet in seven games which helped to maintain the Stags' excellent defensive record; their eight league goals conceded all season is the best in the division.
Striker Nyle Blake was carrying an illness into the game and was substituted late on, and midfielder Harry Bircumshaw came off with a shoulder injury, but both should be in contention for a starting place this week.
Grimsby have enjoyed a solid campaign so far, sitting seventh in the table as well as qualifying for the quarter-finals of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup even when they did not top their group.
EFL Youth Alliance Cup rules state that three second placed clubs with the best records in the group stages will qualify alongside the group stage winners.
The hosts will be on a high after an emphatic 5-0 away win against local rivals Lincoln City after back-to-back league defeats.
Mansfield have won both of this season’s encounters with Grimsby, the first being an exciting 3-2 victory in the opening game of the season.
The second was a tight, 1-0 win at Blundell Park in the FA Youth Cup with Sam Jackson's 25-yard drive separating the teams on the night.
Supporters are welcome to watch the encounter. Refreshments are available for players, parents, spectators and staff in the main building before, during and after the games.
The address for the fixture is:
The Training Ground
Cheapside
Waltham
DN37 0HT
