Mind over Meteo

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 18/02/2026

NOW that the cup shenanigans are over, we can concentrate on the league. We can take pride in our performance against Wolves, and hope that Town's players are not tired out from their exertions on a sticky pitch.

It's helpful that we're playing on Wednesday, giving us an extra day's recovery, and Head Coach Artell has visibly been keeping squad members fresh with careful rotation. As last season, Walsall have gone through a poor spell of form after topping the table. Even so, Town needed to be energetic and alert today. With other teams involved in games yesterday and the cup fixture taking precedence at the weekend, there was some catching-up for us to do.

After the recent rain with Blundell Park providing two muddy experiences in our games with Accrington and Wolves, there was some doubt as to whether the pitch would be fit for tonight's game. A pitch inspection was scheduled for 2.30pm. This prompted concern amongst Town supporters. Our forum teemed with discussions about pitch maintenance, Soilscape ratios and seasonal average rainfall. The forum became a cross between Weather Watch and a geography lesson. After an agonising hour's wait, the pitch was declared fit. Even so, it was a cold and windy evening at BP for the 5,138 spectators.

Town's team tonight was: Smith - Rodgers, Kacurri, Staunton - Turi - Burns, Green, Walker, Sellars-Fleming - Cook. Walsall wore an unfamiliar sky-blue kit. Town faced the Pontoon and had a following wind for the first half. In spite of the wind blowing the ball backwards, it was Walsall who made the running in the early stages. On 5 minutes Flint was unable to connect with a cross from a curling free kick. Pressley then had a good header blocked from a Jellis corner. Turi then started a move on 10 minutes which led to a corner. Staunton's cross was too strong. Town struggled to control the wind. The pitch was bumpy and the patches were covered in sand but both sides were making the best of it. After a lot of struggle in the middle, Walsall broke out but a well-timed tackle from Rodgers averted the threat. At the half way point in the half, Walsall were making the better of the conditions. Town were unable to make anything of their sporadic attacks. After a neat passing move, Smith was forced into a save on 26 minutes after a shot from Lakin. On 30 minutes Walsall won a corner. Clarke's delivery was excellent. Farquharson muscled his way onto the inswinging cross and headed the ball in off the crossbar. Town 0, Walsall 1. Walsall deserved the lead after controlling the windy conditions better. Pressley then went close with a shot as Town continued to struggle with the wind and pitch. The game was stopped after injuries first to Smith and then Burns who won a free kick after a collision with Lopata. Staunton's delivery was good but Flint did really well to shake off Kacurri on the 6 yard line. Town didn't seem to be prepared for the conditions where Walsall were. 4 minutes were added following the earlier injuries. On 46 minutes the ball was played forward by Walker to Cook. Seeing the danger Walsall's keeper Roberts came out to clear the danger but while going for the bouncing ball upended Cook. Roberts received a red card. After 10 man Walsall reorganised themselves, Walker took the free kick but it was pathetic and weakly hit the wall. Walker almost made amends shortly afterwards with a shot which replacement keeper Hornby did well to get down and save. Staunton then drew another good save out of Hornby before the half ended. Town 0, Walsall 1. Town, now with the numerical advantage, now had to show the composure that Walsall had when going forward. So far it had been lacking.

With 46 minutes gone Green drew a foul on the left. Staunton misjudged the pace, and the free-kick flashed in front of Town's waiting attackers. Town pressed. Burns crossed from the right. It was long. Walker picked up the ball, dinked it across where Cook ran in to bully Hornby out of the way, scoring with his head against his former club. Town 1, Walsall 1. Walsall won a corner but Jellis's shot from Clarke's delivery was high and wide. Town now looked dangerous going forward. Town broke out after a Walsall attack. A ballooned cross from Staunton landed with Burns who got in a decent low shot. A brilliant interception on 59 minutes by Walker following lax play by Lopata almost provided Green with a chance but the pass lacked the pinpoint accuracy it needed. On the hour Vernam and McEachren replaced Sellars-Fleming and Turi. Burns had another low shot on 64 minutes after a neat Town move. Town were playing the ball around nicely. A good ball from McJannet found Vernam who fell over under challenge when closing in on goal. Cook received a yellow card after a clash with Flint. Skillful work by Green who shrugged off two defenders led to a pass to Rodgers who won a corner. Staunton's corner was cleared to Walker whose shot was blocked. Walker received the return, cut inside off the left and shot. His drilled shot was touched on by Cook. With 68 minutes gone, it was now Town 2, Walsall 1. Walsall won a corner on 70 minutes. Clarke sent over a superb cross. Pressley found himself unmarked at the far post and nodded home with ease. The defence went missing and fell to sleep. Town 2, Walsall 2. Town almost responded immediately but Hornby got his fingertips to a Vernam stinger. Walker followed up with a good shot. Both sides were going for it now. A lovely passing by move on 78 minutes led to Harper clearing off the line from a good attempt by Walker, who then floated a cross which with the wind swirling Hornby had to tip over. With 80 minutes gone Kabia replaced Burns. McEachren made a good interception and crossed to the far post to Kabia who was unable to squeeze the ball in with Hornby close in attendance. Vernam had a wild shot as Town started to showed signs of being ragged. On 87 minutes Staunton sent in a shot which was cut out by Flint, who slid in to clear the ball dangerously close to his own goal. Time was ticking down. With 88 minutes gone Khouri replaced Walker. 5 minutes were added. It seemed to the signal for Town's play to lose quality. Balls flew in the sky, passes were misplaced and it all became desperate. So it ended: Grimsby Town 2, Walsall 2.

It's hard to assess a team's form with difficult pitch and wind conditions like this but after a very poor first half and a poor end, Town played well in between times. Walsall deserved to be in the lead at half time, and were perhaps unlucky to have their goalkeeper sent off. The game was about coping with the strong wind, the muddy and patchy pitch and the occasional irregular bounce, which undoubtedly was a factor in the red card. Both sides played their part in what for Town ultimately was a disappointing draw which makes the attainment of the coveted play-off spot harder. One element which both sides needed in order to shrug off these difficult conditions was determination and strength of character. Town showed some of this mental resilience today but unlike our opponents seemed lost and overwhelmed by the conditions in the first half with desperation and poor quality then marking the final few minutes. This is something that needs to be ramped up further and on a more sustained basis during games if we're not going to be giving up valuable points.

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Proud Town Bow Out against Wolves
• A Memorable Mudbath
• Blood, Guts and Missed Penalties
• More Stories

This Season and previous Seasons