Back Down to Earth

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 05/10/2024

GRIMSBY crashed back down to earth after a dominant Doncaster Rovers at Blundell Park ended their winning run. The Mariners were 2-0 down after 10 minutes and barely threatened in the game. The Mariners conceded a third before the goal, during the aftermath of which Harvey Rodgers received two yellow cards for dissent.

Town had a mountain to climb in a second half which became increasingly meaningless with the result a formality and there were no further goals.

David Attell unsurprisingly made no changes from the side that won at Gillingham. Town got off to a terrible start when Molyneux split the Town defence with a pass to Gibson. The Rovers player went around the Town 'keeper but Rodgers made a brilliant interception on the line only for Gibson to pick his spot high in the net from the rebound.

Billy Sharp should have made it two almost straight away when Fleming set him up, but the normally lethal Sharpe missed his chance. It didn't take long though for Rovers to carve out another opening. Sterry was allowed acres of space on the right and squared to Molyneux who steered the ball in from close range.

Town had no more than half chances before Rovers put the game out of reach shortly before at half time. Grimsby lost the ball from a throw-in and it broke to Gibson, who blasted the ball past Smith. Rodgers claimed he was fouled and his protests led to two quick yellow cards, which saw him leave the pitch for a double dissent.

The second half was a drab affair with Rovers looking to keep a clean sheet and Town largely toothless with the man disadvantage. There was a mad goalmouth scramble which Doncaster managed to survive but other than that the half passed without incident. The one positive was the appearance of season-long loan Justin Obikwu for the final 10 minutes wearing the number 9 shirt.

Grimsby have had a busy week with lots of travelling and can write this game off. After the three superb wins, it gave Town a healthy dose of realism. The Mariners remain though in 10th place, just 1 point off the play-offs. Most supporters would have been more than happy with that position, especially with the injuries we have had.

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