Reserves Bore Draw

By: Martin Copass
Date: 24/03/2004

A very cold day was hardly warmed up by a truly dreadful game, so this week's report is going to take a different direction to the normal one. Yes that's how bad the game was!

Whilst having a quick glance at the team sheet, it stated that Des Hamilton was down to play in the game. As the team took to the field, it was clear he wasn’t playing, but as he had been seen at the ground, it led to obvious speculation amongst the large crowd of under 50 that he had lost the desire to play in the reserves or that he may have become the subject of a pre-deadline day bid from another club.

The first half was instantly forgettable with both sides only managing one effort each, leaving the goalkeepers to ‘freeze to death’ in their 18 yard boxes. The half time break brought a welcome hot drink, and also the highlight of the day, the team sheet. On having a closer look, it quite clearly states the following, Grimsby Town v York City, Wednesday 27th August 2003!! Wrong date, wrong month, and even wrong year! A classic that you wouldn't even think Town could manage. Still at least it provided a laugh as we sat in the stand which had an air of ‘is it going to fall down’ about it.

The second half did improve slightly with several efforts making the goalkeeper work a little harder, but it looked certain for a 0-0 draw until the very last minute when County took the lead from a close range header following a corner. Just when you thought the game was lost, Town were awarded a penalty and the excellent Graham Hockless converted it with ease. As both teams were equally clueless in how to create any reasonable chances, a draw was the fairest of results.

The reserves seem to have caught the ‘dreadful football’ bug from the first team, and everyone could be forgiven for welcoming the oncoming cricket season, especially as they are currently impressing on foreign shores.

Graham Hockless stood out as the best player on the pitch, and it would be of great interest to all Town fans to know why he isn't playing on a regular basis instead of some the ‘cast offs’ that are currently being signed. Only three home games to go for the reserves, and after today’s display, that news was most welcome.

Even the official web site still has Hamilton down at number 8, but no one seemed to know his name so it'll have to be ‘unknown’!

Town Chittock, Ward, Hyam, Newton, Parker, Chamberlain, Hockless, Unknown, Soames, Nimmo, Heggarty.

Subs Stares, Hucket, Lightowler, Smith, Ashton.

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