A Well Hatched Plan

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 28/02/2026

GRIMSBY won away at Notts County in a dramatic match at Meadow Lane that started quietly but came to life in the second half. Both sides had chances in the second half, but the game exploded in the last 15 minutes when Lee Ndlovu was sent off for a foul on Rodgers.

Town went ahead through a superb Vernam goal, but 10-man County fought back, and there were a few nervous moments before the Mariners could celebrate three points against their promotion rivals.

David Artell left a lot of firepower on the bench, making six from the team that lost at Bristol Rovers. Kacurri, Sweeney, Turi, Burns, Khouri and Soonsup-Bell all came into the side with Lavelle, Staunton, McEachran, Kabia, Green and Andy left out.

Defences dominated in the first half, which saw very little action. Town defended superbly, and Smith had a couple of routine saves to make, and County's Jones fired over the bar. Soonsup-Bell had a long-range effort, which was Town's best chance of the half.

After the break, the stalemate things livened up, and Walker had a shot tipped over. From the ensuing corner, Town had the best chance yet when Rodgers flick on produced a reflex save from Belshaw. It was County's turn to have a spell then, and Jones fired wide after a spell of pressure, then Dennis tested Smith with a turn and shot.

Grimsby introduced the first subs on the hour mark with Green and Kabia replacing Walker and Soonsup-Bell, but County still probably edged the game at this stage. The ref, who had generally let the game flow without much intervention, then had no hesitation showing Ndlovu a straight red for a needless high challenge of Rodgers.

The Town fans had been chanting Cook's name more than any of the players on the pitch, and he was finally introduced with 7 minutes to go, and Town scored almost immediately, albeit with no direct input from Cook. Khouri picked out Vernam, but the Town winger had a lot to do, cutting inside and weaving around 3 County players, before placing it low in the bottom corner. It was a brilliant goal which silenced the home crowd and sent the 2000 away fans into ecstasy.

A second goal would have given the Mariners breathing space, but Green's shot was deflected wide, then Cook broke free but miscontrolled the ball and the chance was lost. The final act came from Smith with a brilliant save to deny McDonald from a corner.

Town's plan worked. They had neutralised County in the first half. Second half subs from both sides changed the game and gave Grimsby more attacking options. The sending off was a huge boost, but Grimsby still had to make the most of it, which they did thanks to Vernam's brilliant strike. They should probably have got a second to make sure, but defended to the end, and Smith's concentration held for a great save at the end for yet another clean sheet with him between the sticks.

The Mariners have a big week coming up with two home games on the Blundell Park surface against two of the ten sides above them, including leaders Bromley on Saturday.

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