Cod Almighty | Article

by Mike Worden

23 October 2012

Vauxhall Motors Youth 0 Grimsby Town Youth 4

The young Mariners progressed through to the FA Youth Cup proper following a late flourish against Vauxhall Motors. A hat-trick from Robbie Bryant and a goal from Lee Wattam - all in the latter stages of the game - set up a visit to Bradford City in the next round. But the game was much more even than the scoreline would suggest.

Vauxhall play at Rivacre Park, effectively the sports and social club for the car factory workers from literally yards away, across the M53 in Ellesmere Port. The Astra is built here and the ground has grown to host the first team, the former works side which now plays in the Conference North.

The Mini Motormen feared the experience and fitness of the Mariners would undo them. Their fears were unfounded, as they soaked up the pressure well in the first half and restricted the Mariners to just a handful of chances. Town played the ball really well from the back and across the wide space of Rivacre Park, but couldn't find a way through the home defence.

In the second half Vauxhall started to get on top and half way through the second period threatened the Town goal with a series of corners. The ref had to warn the Town captain Ben Cuff to calm down his players as pushing broke out before nearly every one of these second-half corners. "Watch the ball, not the player, you!" he shouted at gangling centre-back Hamish Falconer.

The home side won a free kick on the edge of the box. With the pushing and shoving game going on in the penalty area, the quick-thinking Motorboy went for the top corner. Harry Pearson in the nets, though, pulled off a great turn and save to push the ball over the bar.

Soon after, and with the home side pushing for the lead, the ball was cleared and Robbie Bryant found himself running at goal and easily beat the home keeper. The Mini Motormen's heads went before their legs did and within 10 minutes they'd conceded three more. Robbie Bryant got his second following good work down the right and then scored again with a simple header from a cross. Former Toll Bar student Lee Wattam got on the scoresheet just before the final whistle.

On paper it looked convincing, but the young Motormen who only train once a week for 90 minutes did their club and town proud. This was a good Town performance which would please new boss Adam Smith, but they ought not to leave the conversion of their dominant possession and passing into real chances so late next time.

Town: Aston, Walker, Morrall, Smith, Falconer, Cuff, Wattam, Griffin, Bryant, Peers, Winfarrah. Subs: Charlesworth, Loughran, Walker, Burgess, Humble.