Coulson Ruins Poppies' Day

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 21/09/2011

TOWN came from behind for the first time the season to pick up three valuable points against Kettering. A first club goal from Elding wiped put Kettering's early strike, then a late winner for Michael Coulson completed the turnaround. A late red card for Kettering's Navarro made the last few minutes easier.

Grimsby made three changes from the side which lost to Stockport on Saturday. Church and Eagle moved into a new-look midfield, with Coulson and Artus taking their places on the bench. Anthony Elding surprisingly started the game up front, with top scorer Duffy having to settle for a place as a substitute. The back four was left intact, despite the availability of Garner and Ridley, neither of whom were named as subs.

Former Kettering winger Serge Makofo created the first chance of the game with one of his trademark runs and set up Church but the midfielder's shot was cleared off the line,

Town enjoyed most of the possession in the first part of the game, but found it difficult to break down Kettering. The Poppies looked dangerous on the break, with their pacy front two of Marna and Ashikodi especially a threat.

Kettering took the lead on 28 minutes with their first meaningful attack of the game. Moses Ashikodi latched on to a ball which fell to him in the box from a throw in, controlled it, and fired a shot into the net.

Shortly afterwards Eagle picked out Elding is a good position for Town, but his header went wide past the post.

Just before half time Ashikodi's pace took him clear of the defence and round the 'keeper but Bradley Wood managed to get the back in time and clear it off the line.

Three minutes into the second half Hearn set up Elding who finished well from close range to give the Mariners the perfect start to the second half.

Town continued to boss the first 30 mins of the second half and generated a series of corners, but without coming especially close.

Finally Town broke the deadlock when Green made a terrific cross which Coulson prodded into the net from close range.

With 3 mins to go Navarro received a second yellow to give Town a further boost. But it didn't stop the traditional injury time scare as Kettering grazed the top of the cross bar at the start of injury time.

The Mariners hung on to record a morale-boosting win and come from behind for the first time this season.

Town's 16 corners to Kettering's 1 tells its own story, but the Mariners finally managed to convert enough of their chances to see off the midlanders and lift themselves further up the table.

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