A Dysfunctional Day Part 2

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 15/10/2006

REVIS and Merlin gave their prediction for the game. Both predicted 2 - 0 to Swindon. To much fanfare and overhype from the Swindon announcer, the teams prepared for the "big kick off".

The first few minutes had all the hallmarks of a typical fourth division struggle. The first chance went to Town, but Jones put in a weak shot after a poor clearance. The Swindon keeper had to come out of his area after 4 minutes to clear, and Toner tried to lob him from the half way line. It was a fair effort but wide. Toner shot too high a minute later.

The passing was reasonable and Town were starting to look enterprising. On 10 minutes, Jones appeared to trip but no penalty was given. The ball came back and Bore placed his pass short, leading to a thesbian dive from Onibuje. No penalty. "The crowd are angry" observed Revis as the Town supporters vented their spleen on the Swindon number 16 and his theatrics. Town were looking hesitant at the back. On 14 minutes, a Swindon header went wide after the player was given space. On 15, a Macca interception almost out Town through.

All efforts to break through the defence resulted in offside decisions against Town, who seemed to be having problems staying upright. Swanny was getting animated. Revis on the other hand was unanimated and went to the toilet. The most excitement was coming from the bench where Graham Rodger had a spat with Swindon’s delightful cheeky chap Mr. Wise. This seemed to spur on Swindon, who on 20 had a free kick on the edge of the box after a foul, but the curled effort went wide. In a worrying moment, Fenton slipped on 23, but a good block by Macca saw off the danger before Jones headed clear.

A brief show of determination by Bore on 24 punctuated more Swindon pressure. Croft got in a sliding tackle on 26 and won a free kick. Toner was booked for a foul. Swindon won two corners. Town were looking more solid and had tightened up at the back with some good tackling but with them slipping at crucial moments, were not convincing.

On 33, the lanky, lean and quick Onibuje darted up the right side, waltzed through the defence and crossed. Macca was only able to stab it clear with Barnes at sea. Pook picked it up and poked it in the net. Grimsby 0, Swindon 1. A bit against the run of play, perhaps, but Swindon looked more dangerous. "We’re going to die" declared Revis, blackly.

Swindon had another chance on 35 after a debatable foul, but Bolland hooked clear. Swindon were looking increasingly dangerous and Town were neither quick enough nor defending the flanks very well. On 44, Jones slipped and a chance was lost. Here was the difference. A fluid move took Swindon to the other end, where the unchallenged Monkhouse drove the ball in low from 20 yards out to Barnes’s right Barnes got a hand on it but it was too powerful to stop. Grimsby 0, Swindon 2. Half-time came soon after.

Half time-verdict. It was not hopeless, but it wasn’t looking good. Swindon looked dangerous in attack. Town were not short on commitment and the passing was good in patches but they had not managed a clear cut chance. It would have been helpful if they could remain standing up instead of slipping. Maybe the second half, in which they would be attacking the drier Stratton Bank end would bring sunshine. I didn’t really believe this. Sunshine and Grimsby Town FC are not compatible entities.

The report continues in Part 3

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