Crewe Put the Knife In

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 01/01/2018 (Last updated: 05/01/2018)

GRIMSBY succumbed to their second consecutive defeat to leave Town's promotion challenge in tatters. The Mariners had two weeks ago been within a point of the play-offs, but five games without a win has seen a chasm open up between Grimsby and the promotion places.

Two first half goals condemned Grimsby to a regulation defeat. The Mariners have had the excuse that they have been playing the top teams for the last few games, but Crewe have been struggling near the foot of the table

Russell Slade made 5 changes, mostly forced on him by injuries. Jones and Mills were both injured, and Rose and Matt were not fit enough to start. Collins was also rested, and Ben Killip continued in goal to give Town an unfamiliar look. Karleigh Osborne, Paul Dixon, James Berrett, Martyn Woolford and Scott Vernon all started for Town.

Town got off to a poor start when Ported was left unmarked from close range to allow him space to smash in a cross by Backdoor and put Crewe 1-0 up on 12 minutes. Before that Diallang Jaiyesimi had forced a save from Ben Garratt.

Killip made a save to deny George Cooper, and Vernon's volley from a free-kick produced a save from Garratt.

Grimsby went 2-0 down when Killip tried to punch a free-kick out but didn't get much on the ball, allowing Walker to smash the ball past him.

Town's best effort came from a Ben Davies free kick resulting from the 'keeper picking up a backpass just before half time. However the full back smashed the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box.

Grimsby improved after the break, had little threat up front and could have gone further behind when Cooper clipped the bar early in the second half.

Town badly need a good performance and another winning run to get their season back on some sort of track.

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