Where Were You On Friday Night?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 13/11/2005

MACCLESFIELD boss Brian Horton felt luck was not on his side on Friday night at Blundell Park despite his side playing some good football saying 3-1 was not a fair result even though he acknowledged Town were the better side.

"We gave away a goal towards the end of the first half, but then we equalised just before the break through a fantastic goal from Jon Parkin. Going in at half-time 1-1 was good, but unfortunately it didn't last. To lose 3-1 was harsh, especially when we had a few good chances thanks to David Beresford and Danny Whitaker."

"They are top of the League and good luck to them but I thought 3-1 was a bit harsh. We got a great goal through Jon Parkin who played some great football tonight and I'm very pleased with how he performed, but to be fair their second goal was another good one."

"When you are down there nothing goes for you and nothing is going for us at the moment. Things seem to be conspiring against us at the moment, but in all fairness we've been conceding too many easy goals. We need to pull things together now because we've got a very busy week ahead of us with the FA Cup replay and the next League fixture on the 19th."

Russell Slade was pleased to not only gain a home win but seeing a change in style that he has been asking for.

"I think the first word is relief that we have got a home win. I thought we played some attractive football. We had a nice high tempo, which was what we asked for."

"We kept the enthusiasm high throughout the game. We got knocked back by a well-taken goal, though I was disappointed with the defending."

"We responded excellently and got right on the front foot. I have not seen us get so many good balls into the box as we did."

"The second goal came from an unusual source. Tom Newey got his first goal for the club and the smile is still on his face. It was just what we needed and it relaxed us."

"Steve Mildenhall saved well as he has done all season."

"I was delighted when Gary Cohen wrapped the game up for us. He had two good touches and then managed to prod the ball into the net. We got some good quality balls into the box and not just from set pieces." But despite the good result Slade could not hide his disappointment that despite regaining top spot only 3,658 turned up to watch it.

Slade told the Grimsby Telegraph; "If the supporters don't want to come and watch a team that's top of the league then there's not much I can do about that to be honest. Obviously it helps if you have a big crowd as we had against Spurs and Newcastle."

"It is almost worth a goal.!"

"But I can't encourage the fans any more other than be top of the league. Hopefully, having got a win at home, they will come back."

Comment

This match should give the club something to think about regarding Friday night games. Apart from this one the previous Friday night's attendances have been reasonable but I think that most people see Saturday afternoons as the traditional fixture for football.

Certainly in Town's case where a great number of our supporters have, through employment difficulties and economic factors, left the town for better opportunities, making Friday nights games is almost impossible for those who live a great distance away.

How many times on the Fishy message board have you seen comments from people who live out of town sorting travel arrangements with other exiles or looking for information on the best routes or train timetables or looking to share transport.?

If one was to take into account the employment situation and economy in Grimsby, it would not be a surprise to find that we have more than an average percentage of travelling fans.

That is not to suggest that that is the sole reason for Town's dismal attendance on Friday night.

There would be some component of the "We always lose at home so why bother" syndrome.

There would also, without any doubt, be a large contingent who only turn up for the "big games" The "fair weather"' fans some of whom made the most noise about not getting tickets for the Newcastle game. The same people who fail to realise that their lack of support at games such as the Macclesfield game inhibits the growth and development of the club.

It is not fantasising to suggest that if we could harness the support that is obviously available we could be playing the Newcastle's and such, every week.

Maybe that is the problem we have. Some good supporters, but others, who are unable to look ahead.

And playing games on a Friday night of course!

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