Town Fall at Donny

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/12/2016

GRIMSBY fell to their third successive defeat, this time at high-flying Doncaster. The only goal of the game was a stunning third minute free kick by Liam Mandeville. The defeat leaves Grimsby five points off the play-offs, but also five points off the relegation zone.

The next few games are therefore crucial as they will determine which of the two directions Town will head in. Town have had a difficult patch of games, playing mainly the top sides, so it would be tempting to read too much into the recent defeats, all of which have been quite close matches.

Star striker Omar Bogle was forced to miss out with a thigh injury and he was replaced by Scott Vernon, one of three changes by Marcus Bignot who also preferred Tom Bolarinwa and Shaun Pearson in place of Josh Gowling and Ashley Chambers.

Shaun Pearson conceded an early free kick from about 30 yards out and EFL Young Player of the Month Mandeville stepped up to curl it into the top left corner, with Town's keeper well beaten.

Town won a free kick of their own and Collins headed wide from close range in Town's best chance to date. Summerfield completely miskicked another free kick just before half time but his sliced kick almost presented Town with a goal, but Bolarinwa's shot was charged down for a corner.

In the second half Town had an opportunity when Bolarinwa was gifted a back pass but the defence got back in time to prevent the Town winger from having a shot and his pass just eluded Vernon.

Summerfield had a great chance for Town when Andrew's cross from the left just eluded his dive, when any sort of touch would have brought the equaliser.

Town created most of the few chances in the game but did not make the most of them. The Mariners are just not creating enough to really expect more than the odd point here and there, which is at the moment all that they are getting. If the answer doesn't lie in the current squad then perhaps the January transfer window will provide it.

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