Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Zorya Luhansk and Grimsby Town drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly in Slovenia. Janjić scored early for Zorya before Vernam equalised just before half-time.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Zorya struck early through Bosnian defender A. Janjić, who turned home inside five minutes to give the Ukrainian Premier League side the lead. Grimsby, preparing for their 2026/27 League Two campaign, responded well and grew into the contest. David Artell's side made two first-half substitutions — J. Andrews replacing Eliot Smith in the 35th minute and K. Catchpole coming on for J. Walker six minutes later — as they searched for a foothold.
They found it just before the break. Forward Charles Vernam levelled in the 45th minute, sending the teams in level at half-time. No further goals arrived in the second period despite both sides making numerous changes.
The Turning Point
Vernam's 45th-minute equaliser was the decisive moment. Grimsby had been on the back foot after Janjić's early opener, but the goal — struck on the stroke of half-time — allowed the Mariners to reset and start the second half on level terms. Neither side could find a winner after the restart.
Key Performers
A. Janjić (Zorya Luhansk) — The Bosnian centre-back opened the scoring with a composed finish inside five minutes and was solid at the back before being substituted in the 59th minute.
Charles Vernam (Grimsby) — The forward struck the crucial equaliser just before the interval, giving Artell's men a platform for the second half.
Pylyp Budkivskyi (Zorya Luhansk) — The captain led the line for 55 minutes before being replaced by Zadorozhny, holding the ball up effectively against Grimsby's defence.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
The match page shows four yellow cards (two per side), reflecting a competitive but controlled friendly. Zorya made eight substitutions — a full-scale rotation typical of pre-season — while Grimsby made two earlier changes in the first half. The 1-1 scoreline with goals in the 5th and 45th minutes paints a picture of an early Zorya surge followed by a settling period, with Grimsby growing into the game and earning parity before the break.
What It Means
For Zorya, this was their fifth pre-season friendly in Slovenia as they build towards the restart of the Ukrainian Premier League on 31 July, when they face Kolos at the Dynamo Stadium. Grimsby continue their pre-season programme with a trip to Hartlepool United on 25 July, followed by home fixtures against Lincoln City (28 July) and Wigan Athletic (1 August).
Verdict
A useful workout for both sides. Zorya's early sharpness was encouraging, but Grimsby's resilience — soaking up pressure and equalising through Vernam just before the break — will please Artell. Pre-season form is secondary to fitness, but the Mariners showed they can compete with European opposition.
Match Events
Key match events between Zorya Luhansk and Grimsby — 2 goals and 4 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Jul 2026