Cod Almighty | Match Report
by Sam Kinnaird
24 April 2010
Darlington 0 Grimsby 2
Grimsby claimed a vital but comfortable 2-0 win at Darlington's grotesquely undercrowded 'Darlington Arena' on a sunny afternoon in the North East. Around 500 Town fans made the 120 or so mile journey northwards, and proceeded to make a racket even before the kick off, roaring on the away side from the warm up. The stadium was over 26,000 short of capacity, and Darlington couldn't even be bothered to open half of it, it was indeed a bizarre atmosphere.
The Mariners lined up 4-4-2, with Colgan, Bore, Widdowson, Lancashire, Atkinson, Coulson, Devitt, Hudson, Sweeney, Akpa Akpro and skipper Peacock sporting the handsome blue away kits and kicked off towards the empty stand behind the Darlington goal first half.
First half
Town began well, and in the opening minute Akpa Akpro was sent clean through, he slipped the ball past the onrushing 'keeper Liversedge and went down in a heap, but referee Haywood waved play on. The away end erupted and called for free-kicks, red cards, penalties, in the end a goal kick was all that was given.
Moments later Devitt fell after a clash of heads. The on-loan Hull winger would be fine to continue however, just a flesh wound.
Devitt and Widdowson began to link well down the left, and with Sweeney directing things from midfield the Mariners looked in control of the game in the early stages.
After 14 minutes the game's first real chance came, Devitt played in Akpro who slid the ball across goal to Coulson, the on-loan Barnsley frontman shot at goal but it was blocked on the line, Akpro couldn't send the rebound goalwards and the move broke down.
But Darlington were creating chances too, and went up the other end and perhaps should have scored themselves. Diop played strike partner Purcell in and he looked for all the world like making the game 1-0 but an outstretched Colgan leg put pay to that. It stayed 0-0.
It wouldn't be 0-0 for much longer, a flurry of Town corners all failed to threaten but eventually Sweeney got one right. His swinging ball from the right was met by the iron head of Lancashire who powered the ball past the home 'keeper and into the net. Silence, then joy. The Mariners fans behind the goal started to go crazy, safety was on, a third away win in succession? Surely not.
Coulson then smashed a free-kick at the wall, and Bore was pole-axed by Diop just outside the Town box, the full-back received some treatment from the physio before soldiering on.
The game then went flat, nothing was happening, but in the away end things were heating up. A lone voice from the front bellowed: 'Barnet are losing' and it was as if Town had scored a second. Suddenly the atmosphere went up a notch, the whole rendition of songs came out and the fans bounced around the away end like promotion was on the cards.
But Town were brought back down to earth as Sweeney, the best player on the pitch so far, went off with a back problem. Leary replaced him, groans and moans swept through the away contingent.
The game ran into stoppage time after the injuries to Devitt and Sweeney, and it was in the added time that the Mariners got their second. Again from a corner, but this time it was swung in by Devitt. Darlington couldn't clear the bouncing ball, and it was forced back into Akpa Akpro who turned and swept the ball high into the net. It was 2-0, the home side were on the ropes and it wasn't even half time.
Second half
The game kicked off after the break, most of the away fans were still in the bar, and a mass of black and white shirts began to hurry back to their seats.
Home boss Simon Davey made a double change at half time, but nothing changed. Darlington still couldn't string too passes together, they really were dreadful.
Ten minutes passed, the ball hadn't ventured anywhere near either goal since half-time. But on 56 minutes, Town had their chance to make it 3-0. Peter Bore drove down the right wing and whipped in a delicious cross which Peacock threw himself at but somehow the home goalkeeper cleared the ball.
Neil Woods then replaced Olly Lancashire with Paul Linwood, Lancashire had been a colossus at the back for the Mariners.
Colgan had been relatively untested in goal, save one good stop in the first half. But the Irishman had to be at his best to tip over a powerful Convery volley on 68 minutes, the ball looked set for the roof of the net before the 'keeper expertly tipped it over the bar. He was again called into action from the resulting corner, palming over a header that bounced awkwardly.
Captain Peacock and Devitt then had good chances to score a third but both forced good saves from Liversedge who was having a half-decent game for the home side.
What's this? Something was happening in the near corner, former Quakers striker Adam Proudlock was proceeding to mock the small band of 'ultras' that had formed in the home end. Light-hearted banter I'm sure.
Town then won a corner on the right wing, Coulson whipped it in and it was headed away, Devitt volleyed the ball back in but offside was given.
Convery smashed a dangerous looking free-kick high straight into Colgan's welcoming grasp, safe hands you say?
Tommy Wright was then sent on for the final moments, he replaced the tiring Akpro. The Ivorian had, as they say, covered every blade of grass. He had earned his rest, we'll need you against Barnet, Jean-Louis.
Four minutes added time were announced, the travelling Mariners opted to 'go effing mental' for the duration. It was a carnival atmosphere behind the goal, and the mass army of black and white deserved their pleasure after a horrible season.
Leary fouled, Widdowson fell, Wright bustled, and the final whistle was blown. Woods and his army of blue charged to the away end to celebrate with the applauding fans. Barnet had lost, hope was back.