Cleethorpes Town 0–0 Grimsby Town – International Club Friendly, 11 July 2026

The Lincolnshire derby ended in a scoreless draw as Cleethorpes Town and Grimsby Town played out a competitive but goalless pre-season friendly at the Bradley Football Development Centre. Despite the lack of goals, the match offered plenty of talking points for fans of both clubs.

Match Details

With rain falling throughout the evening, the pitch was heavy, making flowing football difficult. Grimsby Town, playing a mix of first-team regulars and academy prospects, had the better of the first-half possession but failed to convert their dominance into clear chances. Cleethorpes, of the eighth-tier Northern Premier League, defended resolutely and grew into the contest after the break.

Key Moments

• 25′ – Grimsby striker Harvey Cartwright sees his header tipped over the bar by home goalkeeper Sam Hayes.
• 62′ – Cleethorpes’ best opportunity falls to substitute Liam Foster, but his shot from twelve yards is blocked by a last-ditch tackle.
• 80′ – A late scramble in the Grimsby box ends with the ball cleared off the line.

Standout Performance

Cleethorpes goalkeeper Sam Hayes earned man-of-the-match honors with a string of saves, including a spectacular reflex stop in the 55th minute. His performance kept the hosts level and impressed the traveling Grimsby supporters.

Pre-Season Context

For Grimsby Town, this friendly is part of a busy schedule ahead of their League Two campaign. Manager Paul Hurst will be pleased with the clean sheet but will want more cutting edge in the final third. Cleethorpes, preparing for their own league season, gained valuable minutes against higher-level opposition.