Grimsby Town 0 Coventry 1

By: Richard Lord
Date: 26/12/2001

GRIMSBY TOWN this afternoon went down to another home defeat against Coventry at Blundell Park in front of 7500 fans. A single Lee Hughes goal just before half time settled the matter but the controversy did not end there.

Grimsby were searching for their fourth home victory of the campaign, facing the side they last won against away from home. Manager Lennie Lawrence persisted with the 3-5-2 formation that did so well at Preston, but the only change of personnel was Boulding coming in for the battered and bruised Thompson, who made the bench.

The first half was even although the Mariners had the best chance of the game when a flowing move from left to right brought about a shooting opportunity for Butterfield, whose shot was well tipped past the post by Magnus Headman.

Almost immediately from the corner Coventry broke away and a long ball, which was headed on and was lifted over Coyne by Hughes, a player who could so easily had been sent off earlier for an altercation with Gallimore.

Deep into the second half and the tricky Thompson won a penalty for the Sky Blues under Willems' challenge. Lee Hughes blasted his effort over the bar and that should have been the incentive the home team needed but they never really got near the opposition's goal.

Towards the end of the match strikers Michael Jeffrey and Chris Thompson came on for Jevons and young Ford, and Coldicott also made a brief appearance, but it was all in vein as the equaliser was nowhere to be seen.

Near the end of the match Lee Hughes was sent off for a second yellow card for an off-the-ball incident.

Sheffield Wednesday lost at home but Walsall won, as did Barnsley. Town now remain second to bottom but four points from safety. However it's just one goal in six games for the Mariners and three games without a goal.

Match Stats
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