SO Grimsby Town now know who stands in their way of a dream return to Wembley for the FA Trophy final – and now is the time for more home fans to step up to the plate.
The Mariners will face their Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Dartford in a two-legged semi-final after the Darts knocked out FC Halifax 3-2 in their replayed quarter-final last night.
Town fans would probably have been rooting for The Shaymen, given that the trip to away leg would have been far kinder.
But, given their relative standing in the football pyramid, it was the outcome that most expected. Dartford will be tough opponents – especially in the away leg, in their own back yard – and Town will need to be at their very best to book their first appearance at Wembley since 2008.
The Mariners, as ever, will take a healthy following of fans to Kent for that away trip but, crucially, it is the home leg when the team especially needs your backing.
While attendances are steadily climbing at Blundell Park, the level of support at home hasn't yet truly correlated with the teams' achievements so far this season.
But it is crucial that – with their hometown team on the cusp of a cup final – fans pack the Park and roar their side on to help get them off to the best possible start in their two-legged semi.
If the Mariners can rack up a decent advantage from the home leg, the tie should be all-but over by the time they take the trip south a week later. Then Town fans can really start to dream.
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