Reserves Blackpool Draw

By: Paul Holmes
Date: 14/03/2001

GRIMSBY TOWN's second string today drew 1-1 in a poor game with a Blackpool team so pushed for players that the Seasiders could only nominate 3 subs. The Town team had the usual mix of first teamers, fringe players and trialists.

Town lined up as follows:

An unusual line up that included Leicester trialist Danny Thomas, who instantly caused problems to the young and mainly inexperienced Blackpool team which included the much travelled striker/winger Junior Bent.

On the Town bench were: Gareth McGhie, Morgan Cranley (GK), Finbarr Linch, Torrell Forbes, Sam Thorne

Town instantly took the game to the Tangerines with Danny Thomas and Kingsley Black causing problems. The Mariners took the lead after 15 minutes when the pacey Thomas played a neat one-two with Rowan, before delivering a sweet cross which was powered past Jon Kennedy in the Blackpool goal by Andy Smith - this caused slight disbelief that the lad who barely has 4 touches a game had scored such a good goal.

Throughout the game Thomas caused problems with his pace and one occasion came in off the wing in full-flight, jinked past 3 players and dummied another, before letting loose a shot which was blocked.

Blackpool equalised, after 40 minutes, when Junior Bent skipped past David Morgan and when setting up to cross was tackled by the falling Morgan, amazingly the referee pointed the penalty spot. Then from 12 yards Steve Garvey sent Croudson the wrong way to equalise.

At half time several first teamers left their seats and went down the tunnel or left the ground. Amongst those leaving the ground was Lennie's target Lee Matthews. Going down the tunnel was last night's goal hero Zhang Enhua wearing the most disgusting jumper I have ever seen, this prompted numerous whispers of "what the F... is that". One assumes that a grey jumper with a white and yellow zigzag pattern is all the rage in China, much like it was here in about 1983. Funnily enough I remember having a similar one when I was about oohhhh lets see 4 maybe 5. No wonder the latest "On the Ball "interview (can't remember who it was) mentioned his dress sense - still he seems to have a good goal sense which is more important... I think.

Overall the second half was awful and despite a couple of chances by Matty Bloomer nothing happened. Town took off Andy Smith for Gareth McGhie, a battling midfielder who didn't have the best touch but knew how to get stuck in. Black was replaced by Finbarr Linch who did nothing that I can remember and finally Matty Bloomer made way for Torrel Forbes who was so tall he almost had to duck to avoid hitting his head on the floodlights.

Blackpool's reserve manager was sent into the stand for what appeared to be shouting at his players???? After first refusing to go the Ref then proceeded to scream and literally shriek "GET UP THERE" pointing to the stand, the reserve manager then fearing that Mr A J Green may have a heart attack trudged away.

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