Video and the Radio Star

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 28/03/2023

AS an exile, I find there is always a logistics element of going to games, whether home or away. In the past, I'd think nothing of traipsing halfway across the country to watch Town play evening games at the likes of Southend, Aldershot and Oxford.

I take my hat off to anyone who does this now, whether travelling from Grimsby or anywhere else. But I'm getting too old for this, and the prospect of getting back home at around 1.15am to then have to get up just after 4am to go to work just didn't appeal. So I'm very pleased that we have Mariners TV to watch it on, and that's how I'm watching it now. The Radio Humberside commentary is thrown in, and where some might say that radio commentary is specialised and the skill of Messrs Tondeur and co is to create visual images for those who can't see it, this for me is the best of both worlds. Video did not kill the radio star in this case.

On the pitch Town's rotating men in blue lined up against the Crawley reds with: Crocombe - Emmanuel, Smith, Maher, Amos - Hunt, Morris, Clifton - McAtee, Khan - Lloyd. Town started with a mix of good defensive work by Smith and passing from Morris in particular, but also poor control. On 11 minutes McAtee was guilty of a shocking mishit after great work by Emmanuel and a pass into the box from Clifton. Town were having most of the play and getting forward. Emmanuel burst through the middle on 18 minutes but was tripped from behind by Oteh who was booked. The free kick was wasted. A great interception and run from Morris saw Town break out but Khan's shot curled wide. On 23 minutes Emmanuel won a corner from which Hunt passed to Khan. The ball was played to Morris whose well-struck shot just missed the target. Town were dominating with their ground game. Khan was booked for a tackle on Powell, as Crawley struggled to make any impact. Town's pressing and work rate were impressive but they were still letting themselves down with poor passing and final balls. It was impossible to imagine Crawley being this bad in the second half. Town were failing to capitalise on their good work with carelessness. And then on 42 minutes Amos showed great determination, bursting forward from halfway to the edge of the box where he found Clifton who with great physicality muscled out the defender and slammed a left-footed shot into the roof of the net. Crawley 0 Town 1. Crawley responded and Crocombe was forced to make a great save from a low shot from Telford. But Town retained their lead as half time came, deservedly so.

Town almost scored again on 47 minutes when Smith played an excellent ball to Lloyd on the right-hand touch line. Lloyd did brilliantly to cut inside, shake off the defender and fire his left-footed shot off the inside of the post. Emmanuel then slipped at the other end, but Telfird's shot was poor. Town broke, Clifton played through to Khan who, with only the keeper to beat, muffed his shot. Messing about in Town's defence almost led to disaster but Town continued with their fluid play. McAtee's long range shot was cleared. Hunt saw his opportunity with the goalkeeper out of position but his shot was wide. On 61 minutes Scannell replaced Khan. Crawley were more in the game now but Town were playing well at both ends. Smith played a superb cross-field ball to Clifton which led to a corner but Town were unable to benefit. On 68 minutes McAtee was replaced by O'Neill who was immediately in the action, crossing low but Lloyd was unable to squeeze the ball in at the near post. Brilliant defensive work by Emmanuel set up another Town attack before another sublime ball from Smith found O'Neill on the right. O'Neill crossed quickly and Clifton was presented with a golden opportunity which the keeper saved. O'Neill then took too long, weighing up his options with one defender to beat. On 78 minutes Crawley won a rare corner. Town broke. Morris sent Clifton away. The defender pushed Clifton out wide and the angle was too tight. On 80 minutes Lloyd and Hunt were replaced by Orsi and Gallagher. Town's intensity was undimmed. O'Neill went close with a shot after a one two with Emmanuel. Crawley attacked on 85 minutes. Fellows looked to advance from the by line. Maher went in, took the ball and followed through, catching the player. The referee awarded a penalty. Crocombe was booked for arguing. Telford stepped up and sent a weak chip up the centre. Crocombe had committed himself but managed to get his right hand on the ball, not enough however to stop it crawling into the net. Crawley 1, Grimsby 1. Town had an opportunity to regain the advantage seconds later when O'Neill was fouled inched from the edge of h to e penalty area but although Morris's shot beat the wall, it flew over the bar. Crawley attacked, pressing for a winner. It would have been a travesty if this had happened after all Town's dominance and fortunately it didn't so the game ended: Crawley Town 1, Grimsby Town 1.

Whether you're watching the game live on tv, it's frustrating when your team is so completely dominant against poor opposition and you don't win. Town competed, chased Crawley down all evening and won everything in midfield. There were some very good performances, notably from Smith, Morris and Emmanuel. But the doubt was always there that by not taking our chances Crawley would get back into the game and so it proved. But at least I was able to watch it and enjoy watching Town's fluid style of play. The result could have been better but the game was enjoyable to watch for the most part and the commentary from Messrs Tondeur and Gritton was entertaining and informed. Time for bed, said Zebedee.

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