Grimsby 1 Southend 1

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 07/05/2005

GRIMSBY ended their season with a 1-1 draw at home to Southend to extend their unbeaten run to a fifth successive game. Although the visitors needed to win to have any chance of promotion, it was Town who took the lead. Southend then squandered several chances before top scorer Eastwood equalised.

Town started at full strength, with Russell Slade having virtually the entire squad to pick from.

It was the home side who came out of the blocks quickest, and Grimsby had an early "goal" disallowed for offside.

As the half progressed, though, the Shrimpers came more into the game, and were particularly dangerous from the large number of set pieces Town conceded around their box. Southend's Carl Pettefer and Alan McCormack both also had good chances which they blasted over.

After the break Williams kept Grimsby in the game with a great close range save in front of the Pontoon from Wayne Gray.

But it was Reddy who put Town's noses in front with a superb overhead kick from a Gritton flick-on, which ricocheted off the frame of the goal into the net.

Southend piled on the pressure and had several chances to restore parity. It was ace goal poacher Freddy Eastwood though, who headed in a Southend corner on the far post after a scramble in the Town box.

The last few minutes were played with hundreds of supporters encroaching onto the pitch, but somehow the match was completed despite them. Southend failed to get the win they needed to get automatic promotion and will have to settle for a place in the play-offs.

A full report will appear later.

League Table

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• More Stories

This Season and previous Seasons