Painting the Town

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 17/10/2006

THE Mariners secured a place in the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tonight, by beating local rivals Lincoln City in a penalty shootout at Sincil Bank. Town had the better chances in the game, which ended goalless.

Graham Rodger made four changes to the side that lost at Swindon on Saturday. Tom Newey, Danny Boshell, Justin Whittle and Nick Hegarty were all handed starts. Peter Bore was pushed up front to partner Gary Jones, with Hegarty and Toner playing down the flanks.

The first half was a fairly even affair, although it was Town who enjoyed the best chances. Nick Hegarty was lively on the left wing, and it was he who had Town's first chance, but was denied by Andy Marriott in the Imps goal. Lincoln also had an early chance through Lee Frecklington, who shot wide of Phil Barnes after Town failed to clear their lines. After 26 minutes, Lincoln brought on Canadian keeper Simon Rayner to replace Andy Marriott

Ciaran Toner narrowly shot wide of the Imps goal after more good work by Hegarty, but it was Peter Bore who had the best chance of the half. A constant thorn in the Imps defence, Bore found himself with clear sight of goal, only to have his shot well saved by Rayner.

The second half saw Town up the pace, but they failed to convert any of their chances. Firstly, Bore pounced on a loose Lincoln backpass to take it round their keeper from a narrow angle, but the ball was cleared before a Town player could knock it in. Bore again found himself one on one with the Imps keeper, but was judged offside by the assistant referee, despite appearing to start his run from inside the Town half. Indeed, the performance of the linesman baffled the Town fans all evening, with some intriguing offside judgements.

Two excellent chances fell to Danny Boshell. The first was created by some neat footwork from Ciaran Toner, with Boshell crashing the ball against the Imps post. Minutes later, he shot wide from a good position on the edge of the Lincoln box.

Lincoln started to put some pressure on Town in the last fifteen minutes of the match, particularly after the introduction of Mark Stallard and Jamie Forrester. Furthermore, the substitution of Peter Bore, who was replaced by Tony Thorpe, meant that Town had lost their most threatening player. Ex Mariner Martin Gritton seemed through on goal with just minutes left, until a decisive challenge from Justin Whittle. However, Town held out, with Fenton and Whittle helping to snuff out any late chances for Lincoln.

With the scores level at 90 minutes, the game went straight to a penalty shoot out. Last year Town lost in a shoot out against Morecambe, but that memory was soon banished. Excellent spot kicks from Toner, Newey, Thorpe, Boshell and Ravenhill, together with an impressive save from Phil Barnes to deny Jamie Forrester, saw Town progress to the next round, winning 5-3 on penalties.

Overall, the penalty win was justice for a hard working Mariners display. Phil Barnes looked solid between the posts, coming out to claim several crosses. Whittle and Fenton dominated in the air, with Tom Newey performing well on his return to the side. Nick Hegarty's performance on the left hand side of midfield will also have given Graham Rodger food for thought, with an energetic display on the left of midfield.

The draw for the next round of the competition takes place tomorrow morning at 11am.

Fishy Man of the match - Peter Bore. A tough decision, with many goo performances for the Mariners at Sincil Bank. However, at the heart of most of the Mariners best moves was Peter Bore. He probably should have had a couple of goals, but he was getting in some excellent positions and Town didn't look half as threatening after he left the field.

Lincoln City: Marriott (Rayner), Cryan, Beevers, Brown, Mayo, Amoo, Frecklington, Kerr, Gritton, Ryan (Forrester), Mettam (Stallard)

Sub not used: Wallow, Clarke

Grimsby: Barnes, McDermott (Croft), Fenton, Whittle, Newey, Toner, Ravenhill, Boshell, Bore (Thorpe), Jones, Hegarty

Subs (not used): Murray, North, Harkins

Referee: G Hegley (Hertfordshire)

Attendance: 2,019 (248 visiting supporters)

Add To Facebook

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!

Related Stories

• Lincoln v Grimsby Preview
• Ravenhill Suspended
• A Dysfunctional Day
• More Stories