Early EFL Cup Exit for Mariners

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 09/08/2023

GRIMSBY were well beaten by Mansfield in Round One of the Carabao Cup, which the home side dominated from start to finish. Mansfield had several chances to take the lead, but wasted them before a mistake by Cartwright lead to an Akins penalty to give the hosts the lead.

After the break, Mansfield continued to look the more likely to score and Rhys Oates wrapped up the game with a second goal.

Paul Hurst made five changes from Saturday's game. Cartwright, Gnahoua, Waterfall, Holohan and Green replaced Eastwood, Maher, Clifton, Conteh and Hunt as Hurst used his squad.

Reed wasted an early chance, shooting wide. Oates missed an opportunity and Akins fired one over. But it was a Town mistake that led to the opening goal. Cartwright took a heavy touch from a Rodgers backpass and Oates was about to win the ball when the 'keeper brought him down. It was a yellow card and a penalty which Akins took a deserved lead from.

Cartright made amends for the penalty miss with a good save from Oates, and then another from Lewis after Oates beat Waterfall to create the chance.

After the break, Oates added a second when he strode through the Town defence and poked the ball in to double the Mansfield lead.

The home side looked the more likely to score the third goal, but Town had a late flurry when Pyke came on and their best chance came when Holohan crossed to Khouri but the sub couldn't control his header from close range.

Grimsby, who are yet to score this season, can't complain about the result and will have to lick their wounds and head to Notts County, who have lost both their opening games.

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