Square Trek: Humbled

The game began slowly with both sides trying to get to grips with a boggy, flat pitch but all the early signs were that Chasetown saw no reason not to add Grimsby to their lengthening list of bigger "scalps" as they gave it 100% effort. Their football was effectively direct with both Town central defenders having plenty to do in the air. In midfield they had on loan from Telford Richard Davies.

As the half moved on Chasetown’s hard graft against somewhat less than committed defending from Town began to pay dividends and the home side thought they'd taken a deserved lead on 23 minutes when a free kick was bundled home by Chasetown’s rather rotund striker Gary Birch only for the referee to rule it out for either a foul or hand ball as the ball came in.

Regrettably the Mariners didn't heed the warning and the rest of the half saw Birch hit the bar after curling a shot just wide. Davies was allowed safe passage through the midfield on a 20 yard run before a rush of blood saw his shot high and wide. Kenny Arthur was called upon to make a fabulous reflex stop after another shot cannoned off the bar-somehow getting to the point blank rebound.

Anyone watching as a neutral with no idea of the status of the teams taking part would certainly have been hard pressed to know which team were the supposed giants. Town’s only worthwhile effort of the entire half arrived at the 43 minute mark when Connell’s wickedly dipping half volley was tipped over the bar by scholars keeper Price.

HALF TIME: Chasetown 0 Grimsby Town 0.

The second half started with two changes in the Mariners ranks. Peacock replaced Corner who in all honesty had been AWOL for the entire first period and Eagle replacing Coulson who'd been caught early by a somewhat agricultural tackle.

Although Town had more purpose with Peacock leading from the front their play still lacked the cutting edge which had deserted them in the away games at York and Wrexham..

The game should have turned on 53 minutes. Bore having had a shot charged down was out of position as Chasetown broke quickly down their left. As winger Smith broke into the box at pace he was upended by Eagle back covering with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The Chasetown fan stood next to me advised me "Not to worry, we've missed our last five" and so it turned out as Egan’s spot kick was well saved by Arthur.

Surely this "let off" would wake Town from their stupor? Not on your life!! The corner conceded by Arthur with his penalty save came into the box where the whole defence in switched off mode watched as Birch nipped in to score unchallenged.

Before Town could regroup the deficit was doubled. This time a clear foul on Ridley was missed by the referee but, instead of getting on with it the Town defence to a man stood and appealed leaving the lively Davies with the relatively simple task of rounding Arthur and tapping home.

Once again the boos rang out from the 600+ Town fans in the crowd.

There is nothing a giant killing team like more than the challenge of defending a two goal lead. As the game reached the three quarters mark Town’s superior fitness began to tell but Chasetown threw themselves into every challenge, blocking and kicking the ball away at every opportunity.

At last though, prompted by the excellent Peacock Town were beginning to find space with Peter Bore and Eagle putting several dangerous looking balls into the area. Connell had a shot tipped round the post as Town went for broke. On 70 minutes it was Connell who looked to have brought the Mariners back into it. A through ball saw Town’s top striker on his own versus the keeper but Price, clearly inspired by his colleagues spread himself and the ball was deflected for a corner.

Chasetown’s relief was short lived however and on 78 minutes Alan Connell was on hand in the six yard box to knock in his 20th goal of a very productive season so far.

Neil Woods made his final substitution of the game when Watt replaced Ridley.

For the last six minutes of normal time and the six minutes added on Town battered their opponents but a mixture of desperate defending, brave blocks and liberal good fortune prevented them from getting a thoroughly undeserved replay. The final irony being Connell’s last seconds header hitting the post and rolling before being hacked clear.

The final whistle sounded to ecstatic scenes from the Chasetown players and their fans. The team from the strangely named Evo Stick league thoroughly deserved their win. The measure of the gulf between the teams off the pitch was measured by the news that Chasetown were hoping to use the money to put seats on top of the club house. Unfortunately for Grimsby Town football matches are decided on the field of play and Town were given a lesson in commitment, effort and togetherness which they would do well to learn from.

FULL TIME: Chasetown 2 Grimsby Town 1.

Man of the Match. Only two possible candidates. Alan Connell did just about everything which could reasonably be expected of him but perhaps bizarrely I'm giving it to Lee Peacock who quietened his critics with an excellent 45 minutes of commitment, mobility and animation.

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