Cod 0 Haddock 1

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 01/01/2026

GRIMSBY ground out a narrow 1-0 win at Fleetwood thanks to a late goal created and scored by two subs - Burns and Kabia, respectively. The Mariners dominated the game in difficult conditions and limited Fleetwood to scraps.

Town had the better of the chances, but their clean sheet and a strong bench enabled them to raise the level in the later stages of the game, and that's when the goal came.

David Artell made two changes from the side which beat Shrewsbury on Friday, when Amaluzor and Green replaced Burns and Walker. That meant another start up front for Jude Soonsup-Bell.

The strong wind made it difficult for both sides, but Fleetwood had the wind behind them, and Fleetwood keeper Lynch came close to scoring from a goal kick in an early passage of play.

Grimsby had most of the possession in the first half, but chances were few. The few there were fell Town's way, though. Green picked out Soonsup-Bell with a good cross, but the striker dragged it wide. Green also had a chance from close range, albeit from a difficult angle on the volley, from a Vernam free kick, but he hooked the ball wide.

Fleetwood's first half was disrupted by two injuries, both for concussion injuries to Hughes and Potter

The home side had their first shot on target early in the second half when Smith made a save from Helm. Fleetwood then had a mini spell where they threatened Town's goal more, and Grimsby were fortunate when Evans hit the outside of the post from a corner with Smith on the ground.

Artell made 4 early substitutions around the hour mark, which gave Fleetwood something different to think about, but the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw. However, two of the subs combined with the best passage of play when a superb cross from Burns picked out Kabia on 89 minutes. The Mariners had defended well throughout the game and negotiated their way to the final whistle.

It wasn't a great game to watch, but it was a professional performance by Town. In recent games, they have transitioned from the free-scoring team of the autumn, who would usually concede one or two, to a meaner team, giving less away. Injuries and loss of form have also limited the striking options available. The club have asjusted, though: in the last few games, the bench has been given more minutes to make an impact, and scoring late has the advantage of less time to think about defending.

The Mariners have another tough game at Cambridge next om Sunday, but the two wins and three clean sheets have given the club a massive confidence boost which hopefully they can benefit from.

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