Town Hit Five Again

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 30/10/2011

GRIMSBY scored five goals for the third time in four home games, this time against lower league opposition in the form of Ashington. Town were rarely troubled by the part timers, and early goals for the Mariners meant the result was never much in doubt for most of the 90 minutes.

It was only the second time this century that Grimsby have won their opening FA Cup tie, the only other time was in 2003 when they beat QPR 1-0 at Blundell Park. They did manage to win after a replay against Carlisle 4 years ago, but the Mariners are long overdue a cup run (well actually even one game is a "run" by recent standards).

Grimsby, treating the opposition from four levels below them with respect by fielding a full strength side, made three changes from the side which lost to Luton last weekend. Hull City loanee Conor Townsend started at left back with Gary Silk reverting to the bench, and Bradley Wood switching sides to right back. Andi Thanoj started in midfield in place of Church and Duffy was preferred to Elding up front.

Town scored early against the run of play after a mistake by the 'keeper. Karl Dryden failed to get anything at all on Townsend's cross and Duffy headed it into the net.

Shortly afterwards a similar goalkeeping mistake saw Thanoj have an effort cleared off the line.

A one man goal by Hearn put Town 2-0 up on 38 when the striker scored at the third attempt, following blocks by the 'keeper and a defender.

Hearn added a second to put Town 3-0 up when he was put through, shrugged off the attention of a couple of defenders and slotted it round the 'keeper.

Town should have added a fourth when the Mariners broke from an Ashington corner and Coulson eventually missed an open goal with his head after a 70 yard Makofo run. Coulson nearly made amends but his next effort crashed against the cross bar.

Sub Eagle put Town 4-0 up finishing off a Wood cross with a strike which left the 'keeper rooted to his spot. Then another sub Southwell came on and scored almost straight away on his debut when he ran into the box and got his head onto a Coulson cross.

Grimsby: McKeown, Kempson, Coulson, Disley, Hearn, Duffy, Makofo, Wood, Thanoj, Townsend, I'Anson

Subs: Arthur, Silk, Artus, Pearson, Southwell, Eagle

Ashington: Dryden, Taylor, Craig Scott, Dugdale, Atkin, Grieve, Johnson, O'Dea, Clarke, Godsmark, Fawcett

Subs: Mullen, Graham, Buzzeo, Rees, Houg

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