Proud Town Bow Out against Wolves

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 15/02/2026

GRIMSBY ended their involvement in cup competitions in what has been a memorable season, with three Premier League sides appearing at Blundell Park, as well as three non-league sides in the FA Cup, giving Grimsby both sides of the potential upset experience.

Today's match with the Premier League's bottom side Wolves, which Town lost 1-0, was dominated by the pitch. It made the passage of the ball hard to predict, and balls that normally would have gone out had to be chased down in case they got held up in the mud. The players who stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes looked exhausted by the end of the game, and it is going to be a challenge the Mariners will have to deal with in the remainder of the season.

David Artell rested several regular starters from the starting line-up. Warren, Sweeney, Turi, Khouri, Vernam and Kabia all started in place of Kacurri, Staunton, McEachran, Green, Sellars-Fleming and Cook

Town started well, and Vernam was inches away from giving Grimsby the dream start when his shot near the start of the match flashed just past the far post. Wolves had their first chance when a Mane free kick was punched out by Smith. It was played back to Arokodare, who set the scene for Wolves firing all day, going over the bar.

Conditions were challenging for both sides and set pieces, including long throws, would always be important as they allowed balls to be played into the danger areas, bypassing the pitch. Unfortantely Town's lack of height limited them at corners, and Green's absence meant his near-post flick-ons at corners were not an option. Wolves were unlucky not to score with a free kick on 35 minutes when a Gomes's spot kick bounced back off the upright, with Smith nowhere.

Grimsby started the second half strongly, and Walker went close, but his shot went over the bar. Town brought on Green and Cook for Walker and Kabi, which maintained their shape but gave them more options at set pieces, especially. Smith then made a rare error, giving the ball straight to Armstrong. Armstrong was slow to react and took an extra touch, which allowed Town to recover. It was a lucky escape.

Wolves took the lead coming from the aftermath of a long throw from which saw an Andre shot blocked, and the ball was played back in by Gomes and smashed in by Bueno from close range. Arokodare had a great chance to add a second but fired it over from a good position.

The attacking changes didn't really seem to help Town much, and Artell brought on Sellars-Fleming for Vernam and Staunton for Sweeney with 15 minutes left. It was Wolves, though, who looked more likely to score a second goal, but with the score 0-1, Grimsby were always in with a chance. Sellars-Fleming had Town's best chance of the second half after good work by Green, but he failed to get a shot on target.

It ended 0-1 and was a creditable performance by the Mariners who gave their all against a side of internationals and were in it until the last kick. The season now is all about the final weeks and trying to reach a playoff spot. Managing the Blundell Park surface is a challenge that will see a third game in eight days on Wednesday, with a crunch home match with Walsall.

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