Town Hammer Imps

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 28/12/2005

THE Mariners cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over neighbours Lincoln City with three brilliant goals, all in the first half. Michael Reddy superbly set up Toner for the first, then scored a superb solo goal himself. Andy Parkinson then blasted in a screamer to make it 3-0.

Lincoln had a couple of sniffs at goal in the very early stages of the game. An early free kick in a good position came to nothing and Newey almost scored an own goal, but managed to direct his header just over the bar.

The rout began when some superb work by Reddy led to a inch perfect cross to Toner, who sent the ball in off the post. Town's second was a Reddy solo effort. The Town striker beat his man, who slipped on the surface, and rather than cross which looked easier, Reddy cut back and went for goal himself. The 'keeper got a hand to his effort but it was too powerful and Town went 2-0 up.

Town fans were in seventh heaven when Parky added a marvelous third. The ball fell nicely to the Town winger about 30 yards out, and he volleyed it sweetly into the top corner. The 'keeper stood no chance.

Mildenhall was rarely troubled throughout the first half, with any shots from City being tame efforts straight at him.

In the second half Town were in second gear, and the weather was more of a threat than were the Imps as to recording three beautiful points. Parkinson and Toner had Town's best chances to further Grimsby's lead but the game petered away as the Imps' fans gradually drifted out of Blundell Park.

Grimsby return to top spot with Wycombe not playing, but both teams have played the same number of games now.

A full report will appear later.