Town 1 Strachan-owt!

By: The Fishy News Team
Date: 09/09/2001

GRIMSBY TOWN maintained their unaccustomed position in the top two after a titanic victory against Gordon Strachan's Coventry City at Highfield Road. Town bossed the first half, and created the two best chances of the first 45 minutes, which both fell to striker Phil Jevons.

After ten minutes Jevons was clean through on Magnus Hedman but the Coventry 'keeper kept his composure and spread himself well, managing to palm the ball wide for a corner.

The Town striker was also involved in an incident in the Sky Blues penalty box, when Jevons' shot from a Pouton cross almost led to an own goal by Gary Breen. A Stuart Cambpell shot from a narrow angle which took a slight deflection was also well-saved by Hedman.

Julian Joachim's runs caused the Grimsby defence some problems with Coyne having to make one reaction save from the former Villa midfielder, and Coventry also came close with a chance from a corner going a foot wide of the post. Overall though the Town midfield controlled the game with Menno Willems outstanding in the centre of the park.

The only goal came from a mistake by City 'keeper Hedman who ventured outside his box to tackle an advancing Jonathan Rowan. The ball fell to Grimsby striker Phil Jevons who cooly chipped the ball over the stranded 'keeper from 40 yards out.

Coventry almost replied immediately when they hit the woodwork twice within a minute, but it wasn't to be the Sky Blues' day in a match which Grimsby thoroughly deserved to win.

In the latter stages of the game Coventry piled men forward against a stubborn Grimsby rearguard. Carsley had a header just wide, and Beharall had to make a last-minute clearance to prevent what looked a certain goal.

The game ended with cries of "Strachan Out" and "Sack the Board" reverberating around the ground after Coventry had fallen to, in many fan's eyes, the ultimate ignominy of losing at home - what's more deservedly so - to "lowly" Grimsby.

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League Table

A full match report will appear later.

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