Cod Almighty | Match Report

by Ben Gresswell

17 February 2012

Southport 1 Grimsby Town 2

The hype surrounding the game built it up as a promotion six-pointer, with the Sandgrounders going into the game in fourth place after a midweek home win against Darlington. Town, as we know, were looking to extend a 13-game unbeaten run in the league which had seen us go to within sniffing distance of the play-off places. However, an unplanned mid-winter break meant pre-match talk on the terraces was of how we would react after a fortnight without a game. Some, me included, were expecting a sluggish display while others thought returning with a point would be a good result.

Town lined-up in familiar fashion fielding the same starting XI that beat Telford in our last league outing. The ever dependable McKeown started in the sticks with Silk, Garner, Miller and Townsend making up the back four. Coulson, Disley, Thanoj and Artus made up the midfield with #Eldingfacts supporting Hearn up front.

First half
On a blustery night in Merseyside, Town started the game defending the goal at the away end of Haig Avenue. Despite the vociferous backing of another impressive away following, it was evident from the start that it would be a struggle to play into a strong wind that was coming straight off the Irish Sea. From the off, Southport made full use of the conditions. A mixture of good wing play and high balls whipped into the Town box forced McKeown into action early on. Leadsham and Moogan both had chances for the home side within the first ten minutes. Luckily for Town, poor finishing meant that the home side's early dominance went unrewarded.

The game was temporarily halted after 11 minutes when an innocuous challenge saw Scott Garner stay down with what appeared to be a nasty head injury. Unable to carry on, he was replaced by Shaun Pearson.

Towns substitute was soon in the thick of the action at both ends with clearing headers followed by a good effort on goal which went just wide. With a quarter of the match played, despite Southport's dominance, we were still in the game.

On 28 minutes, however, the inevitable happened. A Southport corner was met by the Alexander-esque Mukendi (who, up to this point, looked like Bambi on ice). His flick-on towards goal hit two Town players, the second of whom was Elding, who could do nothing but watch as the ball finally hit the back of the net.

Credit to Town: the heads didn't drop. After all, it's not the first time this season we have had to come back from a goal down. Good work down the right lead to a Town corner, met by the impressive Pearson whose header went just over the bar.

Southport's dominance continued and further chances came and went their way and it looked as though Town would be going into half time a goal down. The fourth official indicated two minutes of additional time and this seemed to be the signal for the Mariners to launch an attack of their own. Going into the second of the additional minutes, a corner was awarded in our favour and a super ball into the box from Artus found the head of Miller to make it 1-1.

Rumour on the away terrace at half time was that of the Southport fan dressed as Spiderman threatening to invade the pitch if his team scored again. The way the first half had gone, this appeared to be more likely than not. I'm sure Shorty and Shouty will have had a few words to say but their team were back in the game.

Second half
The second half started with Town seeing far more of the ball. Although the wind was now in our favour, to our credit we did appear to try and play the ball forward on the deck from the back without the need for route one. However, time and time again our possession was short-lived and we gave the ball away too readily.

In what was now a far more open game than the first half, the three points were for the taking for either side. A long through ball had Hearn bearing down on goal but a heavy touch took the ball wide for a goal kick. Despite the shouts from the away end for a penalty, the coming together of Hearn and the Port keeper was purely inevitable.

Southport themselves then went close again. After a flowing move the ball was pulled back across the Town box and was inches away from being converted.

Until now, in what was anything but a dirty game, the referee had been more of an irritant than anything, blowing for any slight coming together and usually in Southport's favour. Again in the home side's favour, Mr Duncan now deemed it fit to show the first and only yellow card of the game to Craig Disley. Frustrating as Mr Duncan was, I'm sure Rob Scott will have been pleased that he wasn't a woman.

Southport continued to press for a winner and came close again after a corner was cleared and the return ball was bundled just wide. This prompted a change for Town as the ineffective Elding (whose touch and control suggested he must be wearing trainers) was replaced by Duffy in an attempt to hold the ball up and provide more service for Hearn. Soon after, Town made their final change as Church came on for Disley.

The game really was open now and it looked as if either team could take all the points. Southport had another good chance but after some fine build-up play the final shot was straight at a grateful McKeown.

With the game entering its closing stages, Town managed to apply some pressure of their own but, to the frustration of the away fans, failed to find a decisive ball into the box. This seemed to be our biggest shortfall in the second half, but on 82 minutes we finally managed to get the ball into the danger zone. In a scene resembling under-11s football, it appeared that every player was chasing the same ball in and around the penalty area. Luckily for Town, the ball eventually fell to Hearn, who found the net after his initial effort was palmed away by the Southport keeper.

The goal sparked triumphant scenes on and off the pitch. Both players and supporters felt a mixture of relief and belief with only a few minutes until another big win could be celebrated.

Of course there was still time for a Southport equaliser and the final minutes saw the home side pile on more pressure. More resolute defending was called upon and the back four as a unit can take much acclaim for a solid and ultimately match-winning performance. Pearson and Townsend were particularly impressive.

A tense three minutes of added time were played out with Town doing their best to frustrate Southport and hold the ball up in the corners. After what seemed an eternity, the referee finally blew his whistle and a hard-earned three points were in the bag at last.

Southport will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken something from the game. You could argue that a draw would have been a fair result. But the fact that Town managed (again) to win a game they never looked like winning speaks volumes for how far we have come. Huge credit should go to the players for hanging in there and not giving up. It was obvious by their reactions that this win meant as much to them as it did to the fans.

So what does this victory mean in the grand scheme of things? Well, Town remain just outside the play-offs. But with a game in hand over our hosts, more than anything the win means we can start to believe. I know it's a cliché but as they say, it takes a good team to play badly and win games. The win also means we will have to wait to see Spiderman take to the pitch.