Grimsby 0 Wolves 2

By: Richard Lord
Date: 10/03/2001

Pressure is mounting on Lennie Lawrence as he saw his side suffer their second consecutive 2-0 home defeat today at the hands of Wolves. In a tight game with limited chances for both sides a bit of luck, followed by a moment of class divided the two teams in the second half.

Grimsby lined up in the expected 4-4-1-1 formation with Coyne in goal, and a back four of McDermott, Gallimore, Groves and Handyside. In midfield were Butterfield, Willems, Burnett and Campbell. Donovan started behind Clare who was the lone striker.

Neither keeper was called into action early in the first half. Grimsby retained possession for long periods but were forced back by an energetic Wolves team.

There were very few shots on goal in the first half, Campbell's drive from 25 yards brought out a great save from Oakes in the Wanderers goal, who tipped the swerving shot over the bar.

The teams went in tied 0-0 at half time, with no changes for the second half.

The second half started as the first half had ended. Both teams continued to give possession away, although Wolves gradually started to dictate the run of play. The Mariners were made to look like the away side as they spent much of their time chasing for possession and Wolves increasingly looked threatening with their purposeful runs forward deep into the heart of Town's defence.

The opening goal came about from a free kick against Groves just outside the area. Lee Naylor was the player to eventually fire in the shot which was deflected into the bottom corner of the net leaving Coyne wrong-footed.

In response, Grimsby brought on both Pouton and Allen and went 4-3-3 in search of the equaliser. Town worked hard down the right to win a throw-in deep into the opposition's half, but as the ball was thrown back in, it was cleared by the defence and Proudlock ran onto the bouncing ball. He unleashed a ferocious dipping shot from 25 yards which looped over the stranded Coyne in goal to resign the Mariners to their seventh home defeat of the season.

Zhang Enhua was brought on for Clare near the end, although the Chinese defender failed to make an impression. There wasn't much difference between the two teams, but Wolves were more forceful in their attacks and had the extra bit of quality up front to undo Grimsby's defence.

It has been more than 300 minutes of football since Town scored their last goal. Lawrence will be hoping for a much improved performance against Wimbledon in midweek, as he looks to end the goal drought.

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