Ben Challen, Grimsby Town Women’s First Team Head Coach says the team are hoping to build on the momentum they have built this season as they gear up to face Chesterfield FC this weekend.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, Ben said the team have experienced a successful season so far, explaining that they are hoping to “raise the profile of the women’s game in the area.”
He said the team will be looking to continue their six-game unbeaten run when they welcome the Spirites to Blundell Park.
Ben said: “The seasons been going well so far. We’ve had a good start to our league campaign and we’re hoping the Blundell Park game this Sunday should help us to continue our momentum going forward.
“We had our first league home game of the season at Blundell Park. It was really good to see that we had almost 400 people attend. It was excellent and a really good opportunity for us to be role models for the local girls in the area. We’re trying to raise the profile of the women’s game in the area, and more of these games will help that.
“The girls are always buzzing to play on Blundell Park. It’s really good for them to get the opportunity. Since Polly came to the club she’s really wanted to shine a light on our women’s and girls section, and they’re always excited to play in front of a big crowd. They’re always a little bit competitive to get into the starting 11, so there’s a really good feeling around the girls right now.
“We’ve got a few players who are approaching 50 appearances, Harriet Dalton and Lily Jacklin. We recently had Beth Wharton who passed 50 goals for the club which is a great milestone for her to hit, and started the season on fire.
“Outside of that we’ve got a few really big league games coming up after Chesterfield at home this Sunday. We’ve got Gainsborough at home which should be a good game, then the week after that we’ve got Grimsby Borough away at Bradley.“
Ben Challen’s side currently sit second in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League, Division One North, behind Gainsborough Trinity Women who handed the Mariners their only defeat of the season so far back in September.
Last time out at Blundell Park the Mariners played out a 2-2 draw with Dronfield Town Ladies, with Beth Wharton getting both goals for the team. Wharton is at the top of the goal-scoring charts for the Mariners, with 14 goals in all competition and January signing Abbie Emslie is not far behind her with nine.
The team will take to the Blundell Park turf on Sunday 10th November for a 2pm kick-off against Chesterfield FC Women.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.