Town Cobble Together a Win

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/02/2023

GRIMSBY took all three points with a stunning win at Northampton. The Mariners completed their trademark victory by coming from behind with the winning goal in injury time. Josh Emmanuel was the architect of both goals, putting in fantastic crosses for Waterfall and the Glennon to find the net.

It was no more than the Mariners deserved after going behind against the run of play in the first half. Two rare half time substitutions by Paul Hurst were a call to arms and Town fought back strongly in the second half, culminating in two goals created and scored by defenders. In a final plus point, striker Ryan Taylor who has been out of action since October made a late appearance to launch his latest comeback.

After two defeats, it was a welcome three points that maintains a healthy cushion between Town and the dogfight at the bottom.

Owen Gallacher started his first game for the Mariners and was one of four changes with Emmanuel, Amos and Orsi all rotating into the team with Efete, Smith, Glennon and Lloyd dropping to the bench.

Orsi had an early speculative shot which went wide before Town's first good chance which fell to Gallacher, courtesy of McAtee, who forced the 'keeper into a good save.

Town continued to press but it was Northampton who took the lead on 20 minutes against the run of play. Appéré raced to get to a ball close to the touchline and crossed from the left to pick out Hoskins at the far post for a tap-in.

Town should have had a penalty when a shot by Orsi hit a defender and bounced up onto his hand, but had to settle for a corner which looked harsh.

After the break, Hurst brought on Efete and Lloyd for Amos and Orsi as Town looked to regain the initiative. They started the half strongly, with McAtee going close twice.

It continued to be a frustrating game for the Mariners until suddenly the deadlock was broken. A deep free kick was initially cleared but the ball broke wide to Emmanuel who beat his man with a masterful piece of skill and crossed to Waterfall who had stayed up to head an unstoppable equaliser.

Town had equalised at Gillingham but this time they pressed for a winner, whereas on Tuesday they had looked happier to settle for a point in the same situation. The Mariners continued to press forward and Emmanuel combined for the winner with players in the centre in a similar move for the second goal. A brilliant turn by the former Hull defender and a pinpoint cross to Glennon, who had come on for Gallacher, saw Glennon power in a winner to send the away end into ecstasy.

The Mariners now have two home games against Harrogate and runaway leaders Leyton Orient before their big FA Cup clash with Southampton.

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