Town see off Guiseley in Cup

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 25/10/2014

THREE second half goals by Grimsby saw Town ease through the final qualifying round of the FA Cup and take their place alongside the Football League clubs in Monday's draw. But the Mariners had a frustrating first half where they were unable to make their advantage count.

The introduction of Nathan Arnold, who has been a bit-player at best so far this injury-hit season, at half time made the difference and Town took command of the game Arnold scored the first goal himself then got two assists for striker John-Lewis to take his tally for the season so far to nine,

Paul Hurst was forced into two changes: Craig Clay replacing the injured Scott Brown in midfield and the departure of Danny Parslow allowed Hurst to bring in Ross Hannah to partner John-Lewis and switch to 4-4-2. The only other change was Pearson came back into the side after Doig deputised at centre back at Torquay,

Town failed to make the breakthrough in the first half with John-Lewis guilty of missing two headed chances which went wide of the goal. A Neilson free kick which was palmed away by the 'keeper was the closest Grimsby came to scoring.

Following Arnold's introduction for Neilson at half time, Town finally broke down their opponents on the hour mark. A Mackreth run on the right wing picked out Hannah on the near post who nodded it to Arnold on the far post who flicked it in the net with his head

A minute later Town more or less sealed their passage into Round Two, and this time Arnold played the role of provider, making an incisive run deep into the box then flicked the ball into the centre where John-Lewis used his strength to bundle it in.

Any Guisley resistance was quashed 15 minutes later when a long ball from Disley picked out Arnold who crossed for John-Lewis to score at the far post from point blank range.

Town did what they had to to beat a stubborn opponent, and Hurst's early substitution meant there was plenty of time to score the goals they needed to make the game secure. With Pittman also getting 12 minutes at the end Town finally have a bench which gives the manager attacking options during the game, something they've not had for large parts of the season.

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