Another Fine Mess at Stanley

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 01/01/2025

GRIMSBY threw away a 2-1 lead to Accrington in a disappointing start to 2025. The Mariners had led 1-0 and then 2-1, only to succumb to late mistakes and end up the wrong side of a 2-3 scoreline.

Green and Khouri scored in the first half, with Town leading 2-1 at the break. Accrington improved in the second half, and two late strikes left Town returning empty-handed.

David Artell made three changes with Rekeil Pyke making a surprise start in place of Rose. Green and Svanthorsson also replaced Davies and Ainley, as the Town boss rotated his squad over the busy festive period.

Grimsby started strongly and took an early lead from a Hume free kick that found the unmarked Green who glanced a header into the net, wrong-footing the 'keeper in the process.

Town fans did not celebrate for long, though, as poor defending saw the ball land at Woods's feet on the edge of the box to level the game.

Grimsby continued to look the better side and McJannet almost flicked Town back into the lead, and then Khouri was unlucky to hit the post.

The Mariners were back in front just before the break. A great touch from Pyke played in Green whose shot was initially saved, with Khouri on hand to drill in the rebound. It was no more than Grimsby had deserved.

The game changed in the second half when McJannet lunged at Woods, and the referee decided it was a penalty, which the experienced Whalley made no mistake from to level the game at 2-2.

The game still looked like Town's to win, and Barrington forced a fingertip save with a volley from a throw-in. But Accrington had the last laugh when an innocuous free kick eluded everyone and Wright was too slow to get down having seen it late. It should have been a routine save and was a disappointing way to lose a game.

All three goals conceded were down to mistakes, especially the second two, and the Mariners should have taken away at least a point from the game on the balance of play.

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