Hammered Again

By: Jake Olley
Date: 26/08/2006

GRAHAM Rodger was left cursing his side’s lacklustre performance again today as the Mariners slumped to a poor 3-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Bury.

GK: Phil Barnes
LB: Tom Newey
RB: Gary Croft
CB: Martin McIntosh
CB: Nick Fenton
LW: Ciaran Toner
RW: Peter Bore
CM: Gary Harkins
CM: Paul Bolland (C)
ST: Isaiah Rankin
ST: Gary Jones

Subs: Reddy, Whittle, Beagrie, Murray, Boshell.

As we approached kick off at Gigg Lane the ground seemed surprisingly empty after Bury’s heroics against Sunderland in midweek but the Mariners, despite a poor start, were still followed by around 300 or so fans packed into the stand behind the goal.

As the game started Town seemed surprisingly unmotivated as Bury attacked straight from kick off, aiming to get as much service to the in-form Andy Bishop and dangerous Tom Youngs as possible. This seemed to surprise the Mariner’s new back line as Town disappointingly gave away a soft corner.

The resulting corner sent The Shakers one up thanks to a soft header from Tom Youngs. I personally thought that there had been a whistle blown or some error as Town seemingly stood still - this was not the case and a combination of terrible communication and bad goalkeeping cost the Mariners dear. Adams's corner had been swung in from the right side towards the edge of the six yard box, Town’s new central defensive partnership of Fenton and McIntosh seemingly left the ball for keeper Barnes to come. Barnes went and failed to catch the ball allowing Youngs to softly guide the ball towards an empty net. Within five minutes everyone knew it was going to be a hard day!

Town almost came level with arguably one of their best chances from the game which also came from a corner. Newey laced the ball in and a powerful McIntosh back post header looked destined for goal from eight yards only for Rankin to turn the ball away from goal with a volley not far short of Laurens Ten Hueval standard.

Then within 19 minutes the game was over, Town gave away another corner (one of many) but this time Adams swung the ball towards the near post and Tom Youngs scored only his 5th Bury goal, with a diving glancing header. Sounds good doesn't it? Don't be fooled! Barnes was to blame again as the ex-Sheffield United Ressie was caught napping and beaten at his front post. Every moment after that brought significant cheers as Barnes caught a ball.

Town never tested Schmeichel (not as good as his father) in the first half apart from a decent Rankin shot which the Bury stopper saved adequately.

Town fans were then heading for a half time pint, at the nearest pub, as the Mariners went three nil down arguably from another Phil Barnes mistake. Don't get me wrong that little bugger Nicky Adams looked a problem all day cutting in from their right but he then went past most of the Mariners' defence and shot to Barnes’ far post from the edge of the area. Barnes got a firm hand onto to it but was only able to push it into the Mariner’s well used net.

Town were booed off at half time as Bury’s tannoy announcer tried to get their fans geed up while ours thought ‘why did I spend fifty quid and waste my Saturday to watch that - well that’s part and parcel of being a Grimsby Town fan!’

Half Time - Bury 3-0 Grimsby - Game Set Match!

Town made two changes at half time bringing on a half fit and half up for it Irish striker as well as Peter Beagrie for Gary Jones and Gary Harkins respectively.

I don't know what Grezza put in the tea at half time but it immediately made a difference as Town scored three goals and went back to Grimsby happy - not quite but they did threaten.

Firstly, Michael Reddy nearly put through Rankin who frustratingly was beaten to the ball by Kasper Schmeichel.

Then, man of the match and Grimsby lad Peter Bore went passed two before coming inside towards the edge of the area on his left foot. He pulled the trigger only to see it drag wide of our opposing blonde keeper.

The Greater Manchester official also had a bad game, blowing for silly fouls and turning down - maybe rightly if I look again - several Town penalty shouts though to be fair Bury themselves had one stonewall pen turned down and a couple of other decent shouts.

The referee did though hand Town a free kick around thirty yards from goal which Peter Beagrie latched onto. ‘Beags’ dipped the ball though it flashed over and into the Town end.

Fenton had a couple of half chances but to be fair Town never looked like getting into the game despite a better second half display, but saying that I personally could have bettered the first half. Town will seriously need to dig deep and bring in some decent midfielders and attackers as the attacking side is just not working. It also would be nice to see another goalkeeper brought in as Barnes is not currently up to the job and is looking very shaky.

Man Of The Match - Nicky Adams - Set up two, scored one and caused Town problems throughout.

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