Green Excursion in Reserves Draw

By: Martin Copass
Date: 10/10/2001

DESPITE being tired from lack of sleep after last night’s excursion to Liverpool, I made my down to BP to see if the reserves could continue there good form against their Darlington counterparts

It was a cold windy afternoon, as Ryan Green lined up at right back, and Stacy Coldicott continued his build up to full fitness. The rest of the team line up was as maybe expected it would be.

The first half was a closely contested affair with both defences mainly on top and thw two teams only creating a few half chances between them.

Darlington’s first effort after five minutes was a little tame as was Town’s first real effort after 25 minutes. Chris Thompson then laid on a chance for Rob Busscher, and his low shot went just past the post with the keeper Van Gees looking on.

Shortly after this Darlington missed the easiest chance of the half when a close range header should have been dispatched without too much trouble.

Shortly before half time, Gary Moran replaced Ian Ward and an ice pack was immediately placed on hi s injury. Just on half time, a close range effort from Downes was deflected over the bar for a corner.

Half Time 0-0

The second half was nearly a copy of the first with few real chances but there was two goals scored in the space of a minute. Hockless replaced Downes after 65 minutes, and five minutes after this Simon Ford touched in a Darren Mansaram cross from the by-line from a yard out. Straight from the kick off, Darlington went up in attack and Paul Campbell scored with a header from a similar distance.

It wasn't a classic game with few on target shots, but both goalkeepers were still kept busy with Croudson making a couple of good saves, and ex Barnsley player Clint Marcelle impressing for the visitors.

On the plus side Stacy Coldicott played the full 90 minutes, and all the other players looked as if they were in good form. Ryan Green showed a good few touches, but will clearly need to play a few more reserve games so he can settle into Town’s style of play.

Results don't matter, as long as the young reserves play well, and on this performance there should be one or two who could do a job for the first team if pressed too.

Grimsby Town. Croudson, Green, Ward (Moran 38), Busscher, Ford, Morgan, Coldicott, Bolder, Mansaram, Thompson, Downes (Hockless 65)

Subs not used. Ermes, Parker, Nimmo

Darlington. Van Gees, Smith, Morley, Maddison, Read, Pearson, Weller, Harper, Marcelle, Jackson, Grant

Subs. Fincis, Sheeran, Lawton, Marsh, Campbell.

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