Blundell Park, Sat 15 Feb, 3pm, Lge 2.

The newly improved Mariners under Holly Holloway, took on the ever improving DA’s Shrimps in another wind tunnel at Blundell Park.

63 hardy fans made the trip to see if we could finally put paid to our recent profligate away record on a day when it was easier to stay indoors and watch TV. Winning the toss, we kicked offf with storm Dennis at our backs and OSullivan with a sharp effort just over and a Cole snapshot well saved gave us the perfect start. However, Grimsby are now a total football side, and a patient passing approach against the wind was paying off. Hanson just wide with header from right wing cross from the dangerous Whitehouse was their best effort, but given the atrocious conditions and driving rain, credit must go to both sides for an entertaining half.

As we resumed, Vernam, scorer of a hat trick away at Colchester midweek, saw more of the ball and proved a tricky and neat winger. We found it difficult, not using the right flank which wasn’t as windy with the protection of the main stand as the Mariners had.
Mafoumbi flapped at a corner and was saved by a Lavelle clearance off the line from a header as the pressure was building. Another long range shot was shovelled away by Mafoumbi as there were signs of frustration from the home fans with the patient approach. Our failings away from home are well documented, the ability to shoot ourselves in the foot is legendary and with us still 0-0 with a little over 20 minutes left, so it proved. A cross field pass caught the wind, Mafoumbi came, then stopped, then came again, Hanson really shouldn’t have had a chance of getting anywhere near it, but Mafoumbi’s hesitancy gave him hope, the ball ran wide, but Hanson chased, Mafoumbi stopped then came again allowing him to chip over him into the empty net from an angle. 1-0.

We chased, Phillips exchanged passes with Wildig and got in behind, his cross fizzed across the six yard box, with Wildig inches away from an equaliser, the chance went.

With the minutes ticking away, Trevor Kettle had been quiet, but he soon showed his usual class. Vernam mistrapped a difficult ball in the wind, Cooney nipped in and took the ball from the standing Vernam, who promptly fell to the floor, never a foul let alone a free kick. From the resulting kick, Benson shot, it deflected off the unfortunate and innocent Cooney into the top corner off the bar for 2-0. Another deflected goal against us, what a surprise!!

DA once again went for bust bringing on Carlos, AJ and Jordan Slew. Phillips lofted pass in injury time was intercepted, the back pass itself fell short and AJ looked favourite to score, but keeper McKeown palmed the ball off AJs head. He was booked for fielding the back pass, and from the resulting free kick Phillips slammed home to reduce the deficit. 2-1.

With time ticking away and the home fans whistling, again, we mounted one last challenge but the cross was handled by Slew according to Trevor Kettle and all was lost.

I feel like I’m on repeat at away games. We play well, fail to take the chances and then give away a needless goal, again.

We have matched Bradford, Northampton, Walsall, Cheltenham and Grimsby away from home this year, and yet our haul from the Bescot is our only reward!! So it goes.