By Nathan Jackson
October 16 2006

Lincoln City prepare to play hosts to Grimsby as the Mariners visit the Imps for the first round of the JP Trophy. It's a competition that City don't generally do well in but with the visitors in a seemingly downward spiral, maybe this is our best chance in this competition for years.

I've seen a lot of comments about how the Johnstone's Paint Trophy is a waste of time but I must say that I love this competition. It may not have the glamour of the FA Cup or the chance to play a Premiership team in the 2nd round like the league cup, but it's a great chance for lower league fans to win a trophy and although it'll virtually never happen to most teams, some of the best games I've seen as a City fan have been in this competition.

6 years ago, this club came close to getting to the overall final for the competition but lost to Port Vale in the Northern Final, since then, the best City have achieved is a quarter final defeat at Halifax 3 years ago. Now the road to the Millennium Stadium starts again and the Imps have a local derby, a home game at Grimsby Town.

Grimsby are doing exactly what City did last season and have had a playoff final hangover so far this season and are currently in a relegation battle. After selling most of their best players, they seem set for a season long struggle. 

Well the rule that you have to field 6 first team regulars makes the squad prediction a bit unpredictable. Eaden will more than likely be kept out of the side due to him being cup tied if he goes back to Forest at some point and they want to play him. Moses and Morgan are still likely to be out injured. Marriott could be in for a rest and possible replaced by Raynor and maybe both of the front two will be replaced, but your guess is as good as mine

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Raynor

Cryan   Beevers   Brown    Hughes

Amoo    Kerr  Frecklington   Mayo

Gritton    Ryan

	Boston United			W 3-2
	Wrexham			L 0-3
	Bristol Rovers			L 0-1
	Mansfield Town			D 1-1
	Crewe Alexandra		League Cup	L 0-3
	Bury			L 0-3
	Macclesfield Town			D 1-1
	Walsall			W 2-1
	Rochdale			L 0-1
	Chester City			W 2-0
	Stockport County			L 0-1
	Hartlepool United			L 1-4
	Darlington			D 2-2
	Hereford United			W 2-1
	Swindon Town			L 0-3

As you can tell, Grimsby haven't even come close to finding the form that was just 2 minutes away from gaining them automatic promotion last season and the crowds have quickly been going down, just over 1,600 fans watched them lose to Crewe in the league cup. Infact, Grimsby have failed to get back to back wins all season, every win has quickly be followed by a defeat.

Many blame the negative turn around in form due to Russell Slade leaving the club. He wasn't the only big name to leave the club though as Rob Jones, Kalala, Mildenhall and Futcher, all first team regulars, left the club. However, cause for optimism is youngster Peter Bore, who has come out of obscurity to make a name for himself with several good goals.