Grimsby 2-0 Colchester

By: Richard Lord
Date: 19/10/2003

THE Mariners made a good start to their six-point haul this afternoon at Blundell Park as goals from Iffy Onoura and Mick Boulding helped seal a comfortable 2-0 victory over Colchester United.

McDermott, Campbell, Crane and Boulding all returned to the starting line-up, with Town's strongest looking bench of the season consisting of Jevons, Mansaram, Crowe, Ford and Cas.

Town attacked the Pontoon stand in the first half and clearly established themselves in midfield, with Daws and Hamilton competing well, with Anderson and Campbell effective on the wings.

Campbell could have won a penalty for the Mariners within the first five minutes but the referee deemed Chilvers' challenge to be legal when the Scotsman was sliced down in the area.

Myers was next to escape the punishment of a penalty when the ball rolled down the whole of his right arm.

Town were being tested at the back, although Davison was not forced into making any saves. The pressure was relieved but not after Crane had earned a yellow card.

Mike Edwards then had to be taken off following what looked to be a clash of heads, and was replaced by Ford.

Boulding had a chance to head the Mariners in front, but the ball was taken away from him at the far post after Campbell's pinpoint delivery picked out the top scorer.

Simon Ford then had to be taken off through injury and Crowe replaced him in a straight swap.

Five minutes before half time Iffy Onoura headed Grimsby into a deserved lead when he met Barnard's cross at the far post.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Town were in control and the visitors failed to get to grips with the game.

Chances were few and far between, although Town never looked stretched at the back, with Wayne Andrews ineffective in their attack.

Cas replaced Anderson with 20 minutes to go, and Campbell went wide on the left.

Minutes later Boulding was put through after a clever Onoura flick but the striker saw his shot beaten away by Brown in goal.

Cas was soon in on the action and he broke away down the right. He cut back across two defenders and fired a shot across goal, which Brown managed to claw round the post.

The second goal came at the perfect time for the Mariners. Boulding got clear and turned inside his man before a somewhat tame shot was completely misjudged by Brown and the ball rolled into the net.

The final minutes were played out, but not without some concern at the back. However, Colchester's free kick routine proved to be on the bizarre side, and McGleish headed tamely at Davison in injury time.

Groves will now rally his troops in an attempt to take three points from the visit of Notts County on Tuesday night.

The club have announced that one free junior can go to the match with one full paying adult.

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