The Last Laugh

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 17/03/2026

GRIMSBY left it very late to see off the Cod Army at Blundell Park. The Mariners won by the narrowest of margins as the ball crept over the line for a split second in the last minute of injury time when Kabia got the last touch from a scrappy corner.

It was enough to yield Town three richly deserved points after dominating the game and twice hitting the woodwork.

Town made four changes from the defeat at Oldham. Staunton, Walker, Kabia and Cook came in for Sweeney, McEachran, Sellars-Fleming and Soonsup-Bell.

Grimsby dominated the game from the off in the first half, which was as one-sided a goalless half as you are ever likely to see. Town won a succession of corners and had numerous opportunities, with Cook going close at least twice. Cook also turned provider, forcing the keeper into a mistake from a short backpass and pulling the back for Green, whose shot fell straight at the stranded stopper.

The second half was slightly less one-sided, but Town still had the lion's share of possession and chances. Cook went close with an effort that took a deflection into the post from a narrow angle. Cook then glanced the ball into the path of Amaluzor, whose header struck the post.

Grimsby continued to press and had a penalty shout for handball when the ball was cleared off the line. Walker was then played through, but the ball sat up for hi,m and the keeper smothered the shot.

Finally, Grimsby scored from a corner, which was not cleared, played back in by Rodgers and eventually bundled in by Kabia, and briefly trickled over the line, fortunately spotted by match officials.

Fleetwood could have had the last laugh when Potter headed a cross over in the last kick of the game with the goal at his mercy. It would have been very cruel.

The win was no more than Grimsby deserved, and the result sees the Mariners back in 7th place, with another home game at the weekend, when the opposition is Barrow.

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