On the Vodka

By: Jonathan Spurr
Date: 24/01/2010

IT'S 20.45 and I've just remembered I volunteered to do the match report. Great, I now have to remember today's events instead of forgetting them with the vodka.

Getting the train from Lincoln, meeting friends at Meadowhall, strangely there was a strong sense of today was the day, the day Town finally would win a game. It wasn't to be.

A little bit of advertising for the BBC now, as I also did a pre-match interview which should be shown on Monday night's football highlights show, not sure what time, but please don't watch as I said we would win.

Woods made three changes to the Mariners' line up bringing in Widdowson, Jarman and new loanee Chambers for McCrory, Featherstone and Proudlock, with the team lining up in the normal unwinnable 4-4-2 style.

After Rotherham's Tuesdays defeat to Darlington the Mariners' fans - all 580 of them - were either optimistic or expecting a hammering. Well for the non-optimists it only took a matter of minutes before Rotherham took the lead when Le Fondre (doesn't he always score against us?) just seemingly walked through the defence and slotted past the slow (surprise) reacting Colgan much to the annoyance of the travelling supporters with some even showing their anger, turning their back and walking straight back out of the stadium!

Town looked to get back into it but just couldn't get past the Rotherham's defence and when we did we didn't have a striker there to do anything dangerous. Akpro had the best chance when Sweeney put him through just wide of the goal, but the tall forward player just couldn't (surprise) do anything serious with the ball, and eventually his shot was blocked. The ball went out for a corner and from the resulting corner Linwood must have thought we was playing rugby as his shot went into the stands which let's be kind we weren't close to the pitch.

While Town were looking to get back into it, in all seriousness the near silent ground knew it probably wasn't going to happen and the misery got worst for Town when yet again Le Fondre slotted home from close range, which in my opinion shouldn't have counted due to a foul on one of our defenders - I can't tell you who I couldn't see clearly which it was - which allowed Le Fondre through to score.

Half time luckily came not long after although I must admit when the second went in, I went to the bar.

Half time Rotherham 2 Grimsby 0.

Town started the second half more dominant and it seemed they had received a "hair-dryer" lecture from the tamed Woods. The Mariners' fans at the back were cheering every time a successful pass was made and after 10 minutes of the second half Linwood came close heading just over from a few yards out, a sign that things were not going to go our way again.

With some fans chanting for Akpro to be replaced Woods made a change with Proudlock coming on for Chambers, not really the change a lot wanted, but Proudlock came on and within minutes did more than what most did in 50 mins, showed fight, passion, pride and determination.

It wasn't long before the Town fans were on their feet cheering - Akpro was substituted for Wes Fletcher. Both sides were scrapping for a goal and with not long to go, it seemed like it would be the Yorkie side that would get it, but a great save from Colgan (shock) stopped the Millers getting a third and an embarrassing scoreline for those who had at least showed passion by turning up - fans not the players.

Town did eventually pull one back through substitute Fletcher when Proudlock put him through to slot it in the back of the net. Much to the shock, delight of the Mariners fans. I think for most it was the fact a STRIKER scored a goal from open play that wasn't from a free-kick or a corner!

It was too little too late for Town as within minutes the whistle went and with that another nail in the coffin for Town's league future.

Full time: Rotherham 2 Grimsby Town 1

A view from the stand: Its OK GTFC releasing news to media about bids about strikers being turned down, it clearly isn't enough. We need a striker an experienced striker who can score and wants to play and will play and help us to survive, along with a midfielder who will battle who isn't afraid to tackle and can run at defenders and support the strikers but can also help out with the defending.

Man of the Match:

Last match report I did, Bore was man of the match, again today he is. It was a hard choice, Bore or Coulson but Bore was the only player I can remember who didn't make that many mistakes but he also helped create chances.

Ahhh 10.30pm time for the vodka!

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