Town Sink The Pirates

By: Robert Salt
Date: 10/02/2007

GRIMSBY Town this afternoon entertained Bristol Rovers at Blundell Park. Despite a poor first 20 minutes from Town which allowed Rovers to go 2-0 up, Grimsby changed formation and ended up winning 4-3.

Town lined up with the same 4-5-1 formation that played so well against Boston United last Saturday. However there were two changes to the team: Martin Patterson failed to recover from a sore calf picked up at Boston, and loan midfielder James Hunt could not play for Town as he is on loan from the Pirates.

This meant Gary Harkins came in for Hunt in midfield and Danny North started up front as the lone striker in place of Patterson.

The early stages really belonged to Bristol. Town seemed to struggle to get anything going and did not look like the same team that played so well last week. Danny Boshell got in a good couple of strong challenges and winning the ball, which we were all hoping would encourage Town to get going.

But North was struggling as the lone striker up front and far too many balls were being played in the air to him, which the Bristol centre backs were wining every time. Town really were struggling to get anything going and it was no surprise that Bristol went 2-0 up, both goals coming from the Town right and cutting inside.

With 20 mins played we all feared another home defeat. Buckley decided it was time for action and to play 4-4-2, with the ineffective Harkins being replaced by Gary Jones.

The switch worked well and Town looked a much better side. Peter Bore had a clear cut penalty decision not awarded to the anger of Town fans and players. This resulted in Danny Boshell being booked for protesting.

Town did pull one back before half time when a corner was swung in and Danny North headed his first senior goal for the club from close range.

The second half started and Town were the better side from the off. Two goals within a few mins of each other proved vital as Town took the lead.

The first was from the right hand side where Tom Newey crossed in a free kick for Justin Whittle to head home to equalise. The next goal was produced by some great play from Town and Danny North played a great through ball for Boshell to run onto and he finished calmly past the advancing 'keeper.

Town then had something to hang onto and had to do some great defensive blocks and Newey had to clear the ball off the line before Toner made it safe with a low finish from just inside the area after some good passing play.

The Pirates though were not finished and with the last kick of the ball a corner was swung in and the ball was poked home by Disley to finish the match 4-3.

A good performance by Town after going two nil down. Buckley realised his formation was not working after 20 mins, so switched it round with great effect. A cause for concern is till our defending, in particular our 'keeper.

MOM: Danny Boshell, Bossed the midfield from the start, scored a well taken goal and put in an Alan Pouton style performance..

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