The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Is football a business or a sport?




Rankin: MOM
Rankin: MOM

Grimsby 0 Stoke City 1

By: Jake Olley
Date: 28/07/2006

GRIMSBY Town today were beaten 1-0 by Championship side Stoke City at Blundell Park. Graham Rodger and newly appointed assistant Stuart Watkiss fielded a strong side with Michael Reddy, Gary Jones and Tom Newey all returning.

Worryingly Paul Bolland missed out with only eight days to go before the big kick off.

The game at first looked like it was turning into just a fitness exercise as both teams just battled to keep the ball which favoured Stoke's more talented and sharper players.

Town though did test Simonsen on a couple of occasions in the first half with Rankin testing the ex-Everton man at his front post and both Beagrie and the Rankin playing in some decent crosses from the wings.

Beagrie completed another ninety minutes as he twisted and turned down the left channel but lacked the pace to cause Stoke's right side any problems.

Town's best effort without a shadow of a doubt in the first half came from a stinging Ciaran Toner free kick which was smartly, though a little theatrically, pushed away by Simonsen.

In the second half Town created little with only Futcher coming close with a header.

Stoke's goal came from Darrell Russell, with no support on the right side Russell capitalised placing the ball past Barnes and sealing a fourth straight defeat.

Despite the disappointing result fans have to be patient as it was a huge improvement from the previous three games with positives coming from Rankin's decent right wing display, Barnes's couple of decent stops and another ninety minutes for Beagrie, Toner and Harkins who all lack fitness.

MOM: Isaiah Rankin - More of a winger in my opinion.

Att: 867

Town: Barnes, McDermott, Newey, Harkins, Whittle, Futcher, Toner, Rankin, Reddy, Jones, Beagrie.

Subs: Bore, Ashton, Barwick, Hegarty, Chamberlain.

Stoke City: Simonson, Hoefkens, , Buxton, Duberry, Hill, Chadwick, Brammer, Sidebe, Pericard, Sweeney, Russell.


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This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!


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