The Late Show

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 28/09/2011 (Last updated: 01/10/2011)

GRIMSBY left it late to salvage a deserved point from an entertaining game at Kidderminster. The Mariners, who had created chances throughout the game, looked like they would have nothing to show for all their possession despite being a man up in the closing part of the game.

However in the 92nd minute Town pumped a ball into the Kidderminster box and it was diverted into the net by a Harriers player.

It was no more than Town deserved. The Mariners had 8 shots on target compared to Kidderminster's 7 and Town also won the corner count 12-3. Both 'keepers were kept busy on an evening of almost constant excitement, which initially Kidderminster had looked like they were going to win once the impressive Nick Wright had put the home side in front. Only McKeown prevented Wright from extending Harriers' lead, but gradually Town came into the game and in the second half the Mariners dominated long periods of the match.

Grimsby were give a boost with 11 minutes to go when Storer received a second yellow for hacking down Makofo and Town laid siege to the Kidderminster goal. It looked like being a frustrating night until Makofo and Coulson combined and whipped a ball in the box which initially looked like it had come off Elding but turned out to be an own goal.

Town shuffled their pack at the start of the game, electing to play 4-5-1 with Rob Duffy as the solitary striker. L'Anson came in at right back and Coulson and Artus came in in midfield. Liam Hearn missed the game through illness, but Gary Silk made a first outing of the season on the bench after a long injury.

The match started fairly quietly with Town managing to contain their hosts and keep most of the possession themselves, but Kidderminster took the lead with their first effort of the game. Wright shrugged off the attentions of Pearson and drilled the ball low past McKeown.

Coulson almost straight away levelled the game for Town, his first effort being blocked but then his effort from the rebound being clawed away late by the 'keeper from a narrow angle,

Wright then missed a golden opportunity for Kidderminster, making a great run into the box which split the Town defence but his finish was woeful, blasting high over the bar from close range. Not long after Wright almost beat McKeown from 25 yards but the Town 'keeper managed to parry the ball.

At the other end Daniel Lewis made a double save from Disley and Coulson and the half ended with McKeown making a good save at the feet of Byrne.

Town had enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half and won several free kicks and corners, but their delivery from all of them was poor. They had McKeown to thank for the score only being 1-0.

Town came out strongly in the second half and Makofo almost scored a stunning individual goal. The Town winger received the ball in his own half, beat two defenders and ran the length of the pitch, before launching the ball goalwards, which Lewis managed to push over his cross bar.

Kidderminster finally managed a mini-spell themselves and almost doubled their lead but Kempson, who had initially been beaten by Matt, managed to get a toe on his shot to divert it wide for a corner.

Disley and Duffy combined to set up Coulson, whose shot was saved by Lewis. Then Storer was sent off for hacking down Makofo as Town broke quickly.

Elding had a glorious chance to level the game. Ridley took a quick free kick, from which Makofo took the ball wide and crossed to the unmarked Elding in front of goal. Remarkably Elding, with all the time in the world, headed well wide.

Coulson then set up Makofo in the box for another glorious opportunity but Serge for some reason took two touches, allowing his shot to be charged down. Had he struck it first time the goal would have been at his mercy.

Town's evening was summed up when McKeown went forward for a free kick despite there being several minutes of playing time left and the Mariners took a short corner! The ball didn't even make it into the box, and Makofo had to take a yellow card otherwise Kidderminster would have broken free with Town's goal unguarded.

Finally just as Town's managers were preparing their bad luck speeches their fortune changed. Makofo made yet another run wide, and passed to Coulson who whipped a ball low into the box in the direction of Elding. Elding's contact was minimal but it came off the man behind him, Sharpe, who had no chance to react as the ball came off his shin and into his own goal.

There was still a minute left when Town won a corner but an unlikely winner was not possible because the ref blew for a foul.

A draw was probably a fair result. Town definitely deserved at least one goal for their efforts. Kidderminster should probably have got more as well in a game of constant chances.

Grimsby's corners and free kicks were consistently poor and is an area where the Mariners must improve if they are to better their average of just under a goal a game.

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