Town Slain in FA Cup

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 09/11/2014

GRIMSBY'S heroics of last year in the FA Cup were not to be repeated as they were convincingly beaten by League Two side Oxford United. Leading 2-0 at the break, United scored almost straight at the start of the second half and coasted the rest of the game.

A late goal by Shaun Pearson gave Town some hope of an unlikely comeback in the final 10 minutes but it was not to be, and the sides looked all of a division apart.

Jon-Paul Pittman came into the side but played in midfield along with Nathan Arnold and Jack Mackreth, rather than play the obvious 4-4-2. The other change was Parslow replacing the injured Magnay in defence.

The turning point of the game was when John-Lewis had an early chance which hit the post. Had that gone in it could have been a different story.

However Roberts gave Oxford the lead after 35 minutes, with an individual goal which he curved past McKeown. Moments later Disley cleared a shot off the line.

Roberts then scored a second when Oxford broke and the Town defence went missing.

Rose put the game out of reach early in the second half when the Town defence stood statuesque in the box.

With the game drifting into the night Pearson pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go. Pittman should have done better almost straight away but didn't make the most of a good chance to get a cross in.

In the end there were no further goals and Oxford won easily.

Town now have no distractions for a few more weeks and welcome back Pell for the next game on Tuesday when Halifax visit Blundell Park. Scott Brown and Carl Magnay should also be available for selection soon after recent injuries.

Grimsby: McKeown, Parslow, Nsiala, Pearson, Thomas, Mackreth, Disley, Clay, Arnold, Pittman, John-Lewis

Subs: Bignot, Hannah, Neilson, Doig, Humble, Walker, McLaughlin

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis, O'Dowda, Whing, Rose, Potter, Roberts, Howard

Subs: Meades, Brown, Ruffels, Collins, Crocombe, Sam Long, Barnett

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)

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