Nil Desperandum

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 19/08/2012

A POOR display by both sides in a terrible game at Blundell Park saw the 0-0 result that the match with Nuneaton deserved this afternoon. It was another bad result for Town which has seen the Mariners collect just 2 points from the first 3 games.

Nuneaton had gone into the game having conceded nine goals in their opening two games and set their stall out to try and prevent Grimsby from scoring. Borough played just one up front and looked to contain Town as much as possible, hoping to nick a goal themselves on the break.

Town made several changes, with Sam Hatton, Andi Thanoj, Louis Soares and Anthony Elding all starting for the Mariners.

From the off, Town were seemingly devoid of any ideas, and the crowd soon got on their backs. Occasionally Grimsby would flicker into life, and string a few passes together, but in the main Town struggled to find their own team mates, never mind create anything. Much of time the time the ball was in the air, but without any purpose, pattern or underlying strategy.

Nuneaton created their best chance of the game right at the start. Brown received the ball at the edge of the box with his back to goal, and held off a couple of Town defenders before striking an overhead kick which went just over the bar.

Town's best part of both halves was right at the end of them. Disley was played into the box in a rare great Town move on 35 minutes, but inexplicably took an extra touch when he appeared to have a clear shot on goal and the chance was lost.

The aircraft display at half time was probably the most entertaining moment of the game.

With the second half looking no better the Town management made a bold treble substitution on 57 minutes. Southwell, Greg Pearson and Artus came on in place of Elding, Cook and Soares. It seemed to make little difference.

Town looked to have scored on 77 minutes when Pond bundled the ball in the net, but is was disallowed for a foul on the ;keeper in the build up.

Town had a couple of moments late in the game. The Mariners had a couple of corners which they looked dangerous from, but they never quite managed to get a shot on target.

In the final minutes Colbeck burst into the box but elected to shoot from a difficult angle rather than pass it into one of several team mates in the six yard box. It was a poor decision that seemed to sum up the whole day.

Nuneaton were difficult to break down and Town struggled to even construct a few basic chances. Everyone was poor to terrible. If there was to be a positive it was that the opposition created very few chances, but they were quite happy with a point and their supporters greeted it with jubilation.

Town have now played 2 out of their 3 games against part time teams. Their next match is against Wrexham at the Racecourse, one of the hardest fixtures of the season on paper. For the first time this season Grimsby will be in the position of underdogs - let's hope that can provoke a more positive response from Town.

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