Town Sink to New Low

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 21/11/2020

GRIMSBY Town were comprehensively beaten and totally outplayed in an embarrassing performance at Tranmere's Prenton Park. The Mariners went into the break 4-0 down and, although they managed to keep the second half goal tally down to one, Town barely threatened Tranmere's goal.

Ian Holloway made seven changes to the side which lost 3-0 at Hull, which itself was heavily changed from the previous cup games against Leicester and Dagenham. On paper though, it looked a stronger side with starts for Harry Clifton, Terry Taylor and the exciting Owura Edwards.

Tranmere started strongly and raced into a 1-0 goal lead when Vaughan headed a cross resulting from a poor defensive clearance past McKeown. The home side doubled their lead from a corner when Clarke scored from a rebound from a brilliant McKeown save from his first attempt.

Two minutes later the game was beyond doubt with less than half an hour gone when a clumsy challenge from Rose brought down Blackett-Taylor and Vaughan made no mistake from the spot.

Khan scored the fourth with a solo goal, ghosting past two Town defenders and curling the ball into the top corner.

Half time came as some relief and gave Town a chance to regroup with the game already lost. The Mariners used all of the 5 subs now allowed before 62 minutes has gone, but in truth, it made little difference as Tranmere happily contained Grimsby in second gear, and even managed to score a late fifth from substitute Paul Lewis with a long-range strike.

It was a poor performance in all areas of the pitch by Grimsby. The constant chopping and changing of the side which was designed to help with the busy schedule in truth has left Grimsby completely lacking in any sort of continuity and partnerships have never had the chance to form. Boss Ian Holloway has vowed to trim his squad in the build-up to the match and announced after the game that Ludvig Ohman and Bilel Mohsni had already left the club. Whether more chopping and changing of the squad is the answer is debatable.

League action continues again on Tuesday when Town travel to Crawley in a match they need to pick up something from to end their downward spiral.

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