Turf Wars

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 11/03/2025 (Last updated: 12/03/2025)

FOR the second time this season, an army of people escaped the eternal drudgery of Nottingham to come to Cleethorpes. The first time everyone went back disappointed because the game was postponed, so we're reconvening here tonight.

Although it's meant five games for Town in 14 days, we're arguably better off as we have more depth in the squad and are performing far better than we were then. Even so, this is a tough game. Notts sit 5th in the table, and looked a very good side when we lost to them earlier in the season. Their recent results however have not been so solid. And we were coming off an impressive victory at Walsall and an unbeaten run.

After the last home match Mr Artell referred to the lack of atmosphere in the crowd at Blundell Park. Well it's like this David: if the football's rubbish then the best you can hope for is that the crowd doesn't start moaning en masse. Interestingly Notts supporters, who are known for moaning, complained about the state of their pitch after last Tuesday's home loss to Barrow. Now here's something we have in common. I don't know if our pitch is worse than theirs or if that's possible, but it's definitely a case of turf wars here. 6,270 spectators comprising Town fans and just over 800 from the Notts camp gathered around the Grimsby Road allotments in anticipation. We all had to hope that the state of the pitch wasn't going to ruin the game. There was a buzz in the ground, which hopefully would continue in the face of a good performance.

Town's starting XI this evening was: Wright - Warren, Rodgers, McJannet - Svanthorsson, Turi, Green, Khouri, Hume - Rose, Luker. After receiving a call up for the Faroe Islands National team, Geza Turi now made his debut here for Town tonight. Town kicked off against the team in orange, but it was Notts who had the first chance when Svanthorsson was shaken off the ball in midfield. Bedeau crossed from the left. Gordon fired across the goalmouth but there was no-one on the end of it. Wright then struggled to clear the ball but as the home keeper should have done better than to blame the pitch. Turi had his first touch on 6 minutes, finding Green who was fouled. Hume sent his cross straight to Notts keeper Bass. In the process Rodgers stood on Bass, who had to go off and be replaced by Slocombe. Notts won a corner on 11 minutes when Warren blocked a Bedeau cross.A nice move started by Turi led to a good shot from the left by Rose. Slocombe pushed the shot away. Notts looked to swing the ball in from both sides but Warren was commanding. A good run from Tsaroulla resulted in a decent attempt which went just over. 18 minutes had gone and Wright made his fourth terrible clearance - one for his IDP, David? An error by Rodgers saw Whittaker go clear but once again Warren was well placed to save the day. With 20 minutes gone, Town hadn't really got going. Luker was unlucky not to stop a ball going out but it was a sign of Town's intent. Town moved the ball upfield after Rodgers got himself out of a tight spot, and won their first corner on 24 minutes. Warren did well to make space and found Rose but Rose's cross was too long. Notts had a spell of possession but seemed intent on giving the ball away. A Gordon error allowed Luker to shoot. The shot was blocked and from the rebound Green should have done better, screwing his shot wide. After Notts sent the ball into the main stand, and Wright obligingly kicked the ball directly to his counterpart, Notts lost possession. Khouri sent in a good floating cross to Rose whose header was accurate but easily gathered by Slocombe. Good work by Tsaroulla led to a harmless attempt by Whittaker before Town had a really good attacking spell with strong shots from Khouri after good initial work by Warren, and then Turi following a corner. Town were now starting to get into their stride with excellent work by McJannet and Luker only being unrewarded by an offside decision. Town went close on 43 minutes when Svanthorsson slipped a pass to Luker who held off his man and passed across to Rose who couldn't quite connect with his attempted back heel. Three minutes were added. Notts hung on after domination by Town in the latter part of the half. But 0 - 0 it was at half time. Notts's main threat had come from their left side but didn't add up to much, while Town's play had become more inventive as the half went on.

Town started the second half where they left off with a fluid move. Green found Luker whose fierce shot was met with a good save by Slocombe. Notts won a corner which was dealt with comfortably. The game stopped for attention to an injury to Svanthorsson. Town continued to show battling qualities and helped themselves in 50 - 50 situations. Gordon got a decent cross in for Notts which caused Wright difficulties but Town's keeper was fouled in the process. On 55 minutes Notts won a free kick on the left after a foul by Warren. The ball from Palmer was sent to the far post where Platt headed towards goal. Macari's header from close range was well saved by Wright but in spite of Rose's despairing effort Jatta was able to push the ball over the line. Town 0, Notts 1. On 59 minutes Thompson and Burns came on to replace Town's Nordic giants Turi and Svanthorsson. Town's fans went quiet after conceding the goal. With 63 minutes gone, Barrington replaced the injured McJannet. Jatta went close with a header after a good cross from Gordon. Inevitably Notts were given more space as Town orientated their line-up to attack. Platt fouled Rose on 65 minutes but Notts's defenders stuck like limpets to Town's players. Burns had an opportunity after a Hume pass but was slow to respond. Burns then received a yellow card for a foul. Town seemed to have lost momentum after the substitutions. Notts meanwhile looked more fired up. A well worked move led to a good chance for Rose on 73 minutes but Rose's shot curled wide and into the Pontoon. The teams traded possession but this was turning into a midfield battle, which suited Notts better as the clock ticked on. The crowd started to become frustrated as Town no longer looked like creating incisive moves, and the quality of passing was going downhill. Ainley replaced Green on 79 minutes. Notts were more in the game now. McGoldrick set up Abbott whose effort from the edge of the box was weak. Wright cleared the ball straight to Abbott whose effort from returned in kind by passing the ball back back to Town. A McGoldrick slip on 84 minutes led to a Town breakout. Hume found Luker who won a throw. Town were static and unable to make any progress. Town had a good attack on 87 minutes when Luker's skill on the left was unable to be met by a flick-on. Notts cleared the ball upfield with a long clearance from Grant. McGoldrick received the ball inside the half way line, turned Hume and ran away from Rodgers before a consummate shot across the goal to beat Wright in the bottom left corner. Town 0, Notts 2. Six minutes were added. The extra period started with Notts attacking. Desperate defending by Warren kept them out. Town were struggling to operate as an effective unit but did win a corner on 94 minutes. It was cleared but Hume followed up with a dangerous cross which Slocombe palmed away. Notts came close to scoring another goal when Abbott carved through the static Town and supplied Jatta who was only foiled by Wright who coming out, spreading himself and making a good stop. The game ended: Grimsby Town 0, Notts County 2.

This result isn't a disaster. The pitch was poor but Town overcame this with skillful play in patches before tailing off and losing shape and energy in the second half. Ultimately we didn't take our chances during our periods of domination and we just have to lick our wounds.

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