Iron's FA Cup trip to Grimsby Town is 'pick of the round' according to Scunthorpe United boss Brian Laws

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MANAGER Brian Laws believes Scunthorpe United’s impending FA Cup clash with neighbours Grimsby Town is the ‘pick of the first round'.

The Iron will make their first trip to Blundell Park in more than eight years in just under a fortnight’s time, a game likely to take place on Saturday, November 9 unless it is scheduled for TV coverage.

Since then Scunthorpe have been up to the Championship – and dropped back down – while the Mariners have sunk to their lowest-ever ebb.

Nevertheless, Laws – who spent two years in charge of Grimsby in his first job in management – is anticipating a tough duel against the Skrill Premier club.

“It’s a really good draw, for both teams, in the sense that you want something to inspire you in the first round,” said the Iron manager, who watched the first round draw in the company of Iron chairman Peter Swann.

“We were talking about it before and I said it would be nice if we got Grimsby and low and behold we did.

“I don’t think either of the two teams would have wanted to have been away against a club we’d never heard of or were nowhere near. Those are really difficult games.

“The fact is though we are neighbours and we know we’ve got a great game on our hands.

“It will be such an even game. There’s no great divide – when we played Grimsby in pre-season that showed.

“The fans will certainly buy into it and there should be a fantastic gate and a great atmosphere. What more can you ask for?”

Grimsby earned their place in the first round proper of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Evo-Stik League Premier Division outfit Rushall Olympic on Saturday.

They are currently fifth in the Skrill Premier in what is their fourth season outside of the Football League.

Details of what cup clashes will be screened live by the likes of ITV and BT Sport have yet to be announced. But Laws believes the one at Blundell Park should certainly be given some consideration.

“For me it’s the pick of the first round. The TV cameras might jump onto it, we’ll have to wait and see,” he added.

“I think it’s ripe at this moment in time. Grimsby are doing well and we’re doing well.

“I think it’s a fantastic draw and one we’re going to look forward to. It’s one neither team will need to be motivated for.”

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