Three Points!

By: Nick Osborne
Date: 09/09/2000

Grimsby Town secured their first league win for 16 games and over six months today at Blundell Park. The victory got new manager Lennie Lawrence off to the perfect start in his first home game in charge since his appointment just over 2 weeks ago,

Although Lawrence was officially the new manager against Sheffield Wednesday two weeks ago, John Cockerill took charge of the team that day while Lawrence watched the game from the stands. Town's last league win was back in March when Daryl Clare's goal saw Wolves go down 1-0 at Blundell Park.

Town lined up in a new 4-3-1-2 formation and got off to the best possible start in the first minute. Steve Livingstone lobbed the Gills keeper, Vance Bartram, after 56 seconds following a John McDermott cross. What followed was all downhill and enough for Lennie Lawrence to see why we were propping up the table at the start of the game.

Town played well as a team in the first half, but let too many chances go begging, a perenninal problem of late. Something will have to be worked on if we are to climb the table and that means a new striker. Unless new faces are brought in we can't score no matter what system Lawrence elects to play with.

The biggest threat to us was when they hit us on the break (quite often as well). Every time Asaba got the ball I thought he would score. He was by far their best player.

Town keeper Danny Coyne had a good game, keeping us in it several times. One shot in particular Coyne saved at point-blank range, but to be fair to Gillingham it just hit him.

The second half almost started in an identical fashion to the first, Steve Livingstone steamed into the box, got the ball and slotted it past the keeper only to see it go inches wide. Coyne made some more oustanding saves in the second half which were a credit to him.

As for a man of the match, I award it to Livvo, whose goal and work rate were outstanding. Tony, however, gave it to Macca, who worked tirelessly all game and hardly put a foot wrong. The ref was dire, I dont think he made a right decision all game.

Overall, I thought we where a bit poor, all the 2nd half we seemed to be waiting for them to equalise. Having said that, we got the three points we needed, the team are looking more like they want to play so here's looking for 3 more precious points against Bolton.

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• 2000/2001 Results
• More Stories

This Season and previous Seasons