Town's Cup Runneth Over

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 02/12/2018 (Last updated: 09/12/2018)

GRIMSBY avoided a tricky banana skin in Sunday's FA Cup Round 2 tie at Chesterfield and go straight into the Third Round draw after a 2-0 win over the National League side. Goals from Charles Vernam and Harry Clifton kept Town's dreams of a big FA Cup adventure alive.

The Mariners made the most of their chances and defended well to end Chesterfield's own dreams of a break from their long-term slip down the leagues.

Central defender Danny Collins returned straight to the starting line-up after his one match ban, otherwise the side was the same as that which beat Tranmere 5-2 in midweek.

Chesterfield came closest to an early goal. Jonathan Smith warmed McKeown's hands with a long-range effort early on before the home side came close during a goal mouth scramble. McKeown initially pawed away a strike by Denton but then dropped the ball and it was eventually hacked away after being blocked a couple of times.

Town took the lead against the run of play from a Pringle corner. A near post flick-on by Wes Thomas fell into Vernam at the far post, who could hardly fail to score from close range.

Town soaked up the pressure for much of the remainder of the first half.

Chesterfield should have equalised after the break but a Curtis Weston shot took a deflection off a Town defender and could have gone anywhere with McKeown rooted to his spot. Thankfully it sailed just past the post.

Town put daylight between the sides with 20 minutes to go. With Chesterfield pushing forward Clifton broke away and his initial shot was saved, although he should have passed to Embleton for another tap-in. However the local lad fired home the rebound to make it two goals in two games.

The Mariners saw time out for a satisfying result.

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