Happy Townsending

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 11/03/2012

GRIMSBY left it late to chalk up their first win for three league games but in they end they deservedly beat Forest Green Rovers for the second time this season thanks to a Connor Townsend free kick. Liam Hearn had given Town the lead, only for FGR to level the game with a first half penalty.

Grimsby then missed some great chances to win the game, including a penalty miss by Elding. When Duffy hit the post it looked like Town would have to settle for a draw until an injury time special saw Town pick up all three points.

Town started with the same side that lost to Fleetwood. Soares was selected out of the two new left wingers recently signed by Town, with new loanee Peter Winn having to hope he'd get a chance to come off the bench and realise his lifelong debut of playing for the Mariners.

Both sides needed to win the game to pull themselves closer to the play-offs, and a draw wouldn't really help either side.

Town played their way into the game and scored with the first meaningful chance of the game. Good build up by Grimsby led to a great cross by Gary Silk which was knocked back by Elding to Hearn who had a simple tap in. If Alan Buckley was there he'd have been purring as the Mariners had finished off a great move by literally walking the ball into the net.

But the lead did not last for long Gary Silk, creator of the first goal. stuck out a leg and danger man Norwood gratefully fell over it. Klukowski stepped up and levelled the game with ease.

Town could have gone back in front when Disley made a forward run and was picked out by Soares. Disley shot first time and the 'keeper managed to get something on the ball and deny the Town midfielder.

Townsend nearly regretted making a bad backpass which Norwood intercepted and it needed McKeown to save Town with his legs.

After the break FGR missed a great opportunity to go in from on the break. With a man over the ball was played to the unmarked Stokes who had time and space to pick his spot but he dragged it wide past McKeown.

Then it was Town's turn to miss an even easier chance. The Rovers 'keeper spilled a cross into the feet of Elding about 2 yards out and he snatched at it and somehow skied it high into the Pontoon

In a worrying development for all Mariners fans Hearn limped off with an achilles problem and was replaced by Duffy.

Town soon won a penalty when the ball bounced up and hit a FGR arm. With no Hearn on the pitch the duty fell to Elding and he hit it low to the 'keeper's left at a nice height to be saved, which it was.

It looked like it wasn't going to be Town's day when a Duffy volley struck the post but Townsend had other ideas. He curled an injury time free kick into the top corner with the 'keeper rooted to his spot.

The Mariners dominated the second half and probably deserved to win. They now have to try and pick up maximum points in the two games at Blundell Park next week, against York and Tamworth, which won't be easy.

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