Town Earn Point at Stockport

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 31/08/2021

GRIMSBY continued their solid start to the season with a goalless draw at Stockport, restricting strongly-fancied County to crumbs. Both sides struggled to create much on a night in which defences dominated, but the Mariners ended the match the stronger of the two sides and could have edged it in the closing stages.

Paul Hurst made three changes from the win over Weymouth in the season's opener. Skipper Giles Coke (illness) replaced Ben Fox in midfield while a new-look back 3 saw Waterfall and Revan come into the side in favour of Pearson and Sousa.

The match started slowly in something of a stalemate. It flickered into life when Keane managed to get in a cross, which was cleared for a corner by Longe-King with Reid poised to strike.

Town's first attacking moment of note came on the late half mark when Efete won the ball and crossed, but it was cleared by the defence.

Reid should have scored 5 minutes later but miskicked in front of goal, and Efete was quickest to clear the ball for a corner.

Reid had another chance just before halftime when he linked up with Maddon but failed to control the ball and Town recovered. Maddon fired wide from a corner in the last minute of the first half.

Town started the second half well and Mcatee got the ball in the net but play was pulled back for a foul in the build-up. Maddon then had a goal chalked off for offside for the home side.

John-Lewis come on for Taylor with 20 minutes remaining and his presence seemed to help Grimsby look more threatening, although they still failed to force the 'keeper into a save. Fox replaced Revan ten minutes later and the midfielder went close with a late chance but in the end, Town had to settle for a draw.

The evidence of the first two games is that Grimsby look defensively sound, but are not creating much. However, they matched one of the strongest sides in the division away from home, so there is plenty to build on, especially as the transfer market remains open in the National League to address the lack of a regular goalscorer.

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