Notts County 2-1 Grimsby Town: Magpies Edge Mariners in EFL Trophy Group Stage

Notts County opened their English Football League Trophy group-stage campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The Magpies fell behind early but responded with goals from Alassana Jatta and Jodi Jones to secure all three points in a competitive EFL Trophy tie.

Match overview

• Competition: English Football League Trophy
• Result: Notts County 2-1 Grimsby Town
• Notts County scorers: Alassana Jatta 42, Jodi Jones 78
• Grimsby Town scorer: Danny Rose 18
• Venue: Meadow Lane

Notts County controlled long spells of possession, but Grimsby Town carried a genuine threat on the counter-attack and from set pieces. The visitors struck first through Danny Rose, whose header from a corner gave the Mariners a shock lead. Notts County gradually settled, moved the ball quicker through midfield, and equalised just before half-time when Alassana Jatta turned inside the penalty area and finished low into the corner.

Key moments

The opening goal arrived in the 18th minute. Grimsby won a corner on the left, and the delivery was met by Danny Rose, who climbed above his marker and glanced the ball beyond the Notts County goalkeeper. It was a reminder of Grimsby’s set-piece quality and briefly silenced the home crowd.

Notts County’s response was measured rather than frantic. Jodi Jones began to find space on the right, and the midfield pair kept recycling possession. The equaliser came three minutes before the break. Jatta received the ball with his back to goal, shifted it onto his right foot, and found the bottom corner from 12 yards. It was a striker’s finish and changed the mood inside Meadow Lane.

The second half was more open. Grimsby had a strong spell around the hour mark, forcing two saves from the Notts County goalkeeper, but the Magpies always looked capable of creating one more clear chance. That chance arrived in the 78th minute. Jones collected the ball on the right, cut inside onto his left foot, and curled a superb effort into the far corner. Grimsby pushed late, but Notts County defended their box with composure and saw out the win.

Tactical story

Notts County lined up with a possession-heavy approach, using their full-backs high to stretch Grimsby’s midfield. The Magpies tried to isolate Jatta against the visiting centre-backs and kept Jones wide before allowing him to drift infield in the final third. That movement proved decisive for the winning goal.

Grimsby Town were compact and direct. They looked to spring quick counter-attacks through the channels and were dangerous from dead balls. For long periods, their game plan worked, but they could not maintain the same intensity after Notts County took the lead. The Mariners’ best chances came from crosses and second balls, while their defending in wide areas was eventually punished.

Standout players

Alassana Jatta was central to Notts County’s comeback, holding the ball up effectively and scoring the equaliser that settled the home side. Jodi Jones provided the moment of the match with his curling winner and was a constant outlet on the right. In midfield, Notts County’s ability to win second balls allowed them to sustain pressure.

For Grimsby, Danny Rose was the standout performer. He took his goal well and worked tirelessly against two centre-backs. The Mariners’ goalkeeper also made several important saves to keep the score level until Jones’ late strike.

Group and season impact

The win gives Notts County an early advantage in their EFL Trophy group and three valuable points as they chase progression to the knockout rounds. For Grimsby Town, there were positives in the performance, but the result leaves them needing a response in their next group fixture. In a competition where squad rotation is common, Notts County’s ability to combine control with match-winning quality will be encouraging for the months ahead.