Gallimore Assesses 'Local Derby' On Monday

By: Richard Lord
Date: 31/03/2002

THE forthcoming Sheffield Wednesday clash has an added ingredient to it, as Grimsby's left back Tony Gallimore explained to the Sports Telegraph. In 1997 the Mariners crashed out of the FA Cup 7-1 against the Hillsborough side, and five years on Gally reveals the defeat still hurts.

"I can't remember a lot about that game other than it was embarrassing," said Gallimore. "I don't want to remember much else!

"John Oster got a wonder goal when he turned and chipped the keeper, but we got thumped. That was the heaviest defeat in my career.

"I can't remember what the score was at half time but it was very frustrating when that final whistle blew. It was just one of those games that you want to forget."

Despite Grimsby's League Cup run the next season when they unceremoniously dumped Wednesday out of the competition over two legs, it appears the heavy defeat is still at the back of the players' minds.

With Scunthorpe, Lincoln and Hull all two divisions lower, the match on Monday is as close as it gets to a local derby. With a packed Blundell Park behind the team and Town's recent good home form, revenge is on the cards.

Gally continued: "The atmosphere has been really good in the last month or so and everyone has got behind us.

"We've gone from being in a position where we looked like we were going down to pulling it around. It would be a shame if we chucked it away after coming so far.

"There might be a few nerves out there on Monday, but we have got to play with the same passion and commitment that has got us here.

"We've been overrunning teams and I think we want to be looking up now instead of down. We want to finish as high as possible."

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