Disaster!

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 06/12/2008

ANOTHER defeat today left Grimsby's position close to the foot of League Two looking increasingly perilous. Although Town were unfortunate to get nothing out of the game, time and excuses are beginning to run out if they are not soon to be overtaken by Bournemouth.

Town made just one change to the team that lost at Macclesfield. Left back Tom Newey was replaced by Hope, with Hope playing at left back. Neither of the foreign players started due to a problem with new striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro's paperwork.

After early Port Vale pressure Town gradually came into the game and were unlucky when Jarman rounded off a good move, his shot being clipped by Anyon onto the bar.

Town conceded yet another goal from a set piece when Mark Richards lashed in a corner on 28 minutes.

Town almost scored within a minute when Proudlock and Trotter both forced good saves from the 'keeper.

Grimsby went in at half time 1-0 down and unfortunate to be behind in the game.

Town had to defend two dangerous free kicks early in the second half. The first was on the very edge of the box which Barnes tipped brilliantly over. The second was on the edge of the six yard box after Phil Barnes was adjudged to have picked up a back pass. Town managed to smother the attempted shot down.

On 70 Town boss Mike Newell was sent to the stands by the referee for something he said to the fourth official after Vale were awarded a free kick.

On 75 Vale substitute Thompson went past Phil Barnes but carried the ball too far and fail to score from a narrow angle.

Peter Bore came on for Jarman with 12 minutes to go.

With 6 minutes to go Town finally scored the goal their play deserved when Adam Proudlock headed in his first goal from close range, his first ever goal for Town.

It lasted just 3 minutes. Richman scored from a long thrown in to give Vale the advantage again.

Port Vale managed to do what Town could not and protect what they had. to the final whistle.

With Grimsby's next two games being against Shrewsbury and Aldershot there will need to be a big improvement to get anything from either game and give the long-suffering Town fans an early Christmas present.

A full report will appear later.

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