Jingle Bells

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 27/12/2013

GRIMSBY survived a physical and aerial assault by Lincoln, running out Boxing Day winners at Sincil Bank for the third successive year. Town had to endure numerous free kicks, long throw ins and late tackles from Lincoln, but ironically managed to score themselves from two set pieces.

MacDonald was replaced by Doig in a late switch because of a stomach bug, it meant that Grimsby has no central defensive cover on the bench.

Ross Hannah rose to head in an early corner, before Lincoln gradually came into the game. The hosts hit the woodwork and had a shot cleared off the line, as they bombarded the Town box in an aerial assault.

But Grimsby withstood the challenge and doubled their lead when Disley was left unmarked and headed in a free kick from close range. Town could have made it three but struck the woodwork in first half injury time with the home side in disarray.

The Mariners continued to defend strongly in the second half, a task made more difficult when Pearson got injured and was unable to continue. As there was no central defender on the bench Bignot had to play at right back and Hatton moved into the centre as an emergency centre back.

In the 89th minute Lincoln Man of the Match Sheridan was sent off for a late terrible tackle on Disley which fortunately resulted in no serious injury to Town's captain.

Town survived 5 mins of injury time with no untoward problems.

Man of the match was Chris Doig, who hadn't expected to play, but came in for MacDonald and marshalled the Town defence superbly. Grimsby's rearguard coped with nearly everything that was thrown at them - the woodwork saved them on one occassion, and McKeown was excellent too when called upon.

It was not a pretty game, but was never going to be because of the way Lincoln play. Grimsby managed to cope though under an intense physical assault, although Pearson's rib injury could possibly rule him out of the Saturday game at Blundell Park. One player who definitely will be missing is Bignot, who received his fifth booking of the season.

Lincoln City: Farman, Miller, Foster, Brown, Jordan, Dixon, Power, Sheridan, Rowe, Tomlinson, Robinson

Subs: Preece, Fofana, Fairhurst, Gray, Nolan

Grimsby: McKeown, Hatton, Pearson, Doig, Thomas, Rodman, Disley, Kerr, Neilson, John-Lewis, Hannah

Subs: Colbeck, Cook, Bignot, Southwell, McLaughlin

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)

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