Town Reserves Crush Blackpool 5-0

By: Paul Holmes
Date: 05/09/2001

A VERY YOUTHFUL Grimsby Town second string trounced their Blackpool counterparts an impressive 5-0. Despite the heavy score-line, the result flattered Blackpool who were simply outclassed.

French trialist Hamada Jambay did not play due to an injury (sounds familiar), however Middlesborough trialist’s Christian Hanson and Anthony Ormerod played as well as left ex Mansfield player Michael Boulding.

Town lined up as follows:

The subs were: David Smith, Graham Hockless, Morgan Cranley (GK), Darren Mansaram, Wes Parker

The first action of the game came within seconds of the start. Chris Bolder played a short ball which was intercepted by Phil Thompson who drove a furious shot towards the Town goal only to see Ronald Ermes parry the shot away for a corner. From the corner Chapman cleared to Busscher who after a nice turned released Freddie Cass who put in an inch perfect cross for Chris Bolder to head in from 6 yards out. 3 minutes gone 1-0 Town.

This was the idea of most of the first half - Town attacked, Blackpool struggled. Michael Boulding was using his pace and skill against the Tangerines who were having enormous trouble in coping with the ex Man U youth player. However several times Boulding picked up a loose ball, ran past 2 or 3 players and went for a shot from an impossible angle when Allen was free in a good position.

Town’s second goal was a brilliant piece of individual skill. Ian Ward picked up a loose ball in his own half before bringing it forward and feeding Anthony Ormerod. Oremerod beat one man before cutting inside, he then beat another and cut outside. Then with a little space ran at a diagonal angle towards the goal before skipping past another man whilst changing direction slightly. With another man approaching, he shimmied before releasing a low drive from 25 yards which whizzed past the keeper into the right hand corner.

By this time Bradley Allen was getting very frustrated at a few opportunities that he had wasted. A few mistimed tackles later and the referee had a quiet word with Allen.

Town’s third goal was a result of some great link up play between the front two. Allen and Boulding played a great one-two in the box, after which Boulding was fouled, the ref had no hesitation in giving the penalty and no arguments were made by the Blackpool team. David Morgan stepped forward to calmly slot the ball to the keepers right. 3-0 Town.

2nd Half.

The second half was no-way near as good as the first, in fact it was a pale reflection at best. Town were still the better team but Blackpool, lead by the mammoth Wayne Madden were a little more attacking.

David Morgan started the 2nd the way he ended the first, in blistering attacking mode. His runs from deep were always a threat and his range of crosses will trouble any defence.

In the engine room Robbie Brusscher and Chris Bolder were dominating their opponents whilst managing to support the front two. On the right wing Anthony Ormerod was a constant threat with his long mazy runs. A few minutes into the second half Cass was replaced by Dave Smith.

Town’s fourth was scored by Chris Bolder, my memory cheats me here as I can't remember the exact details. I think that Morgan brought it forward and Bolder struck from the edge of the box. Town’s fifth suffers the same fate, Dave Smith scored and I think it was similar to Bolder’s second.

As the game wore on Paul Wilkinson made some changes first bringing Wes Parker on for Christian Hanson. Ian Ward moved into the middle of defence whilst Parker slotted into the right back slot. Then Darren Mansaram replaced Ian Ward - get ready for this - Morgan went to centre back, Smith went to left back, Boulding went on the left wing whilst Mansaram played up front with Bradley Allen, at least we have a versatile team.

As the game wore on Bradley Allen continued to miss chances that he would have buried last year. After doing all the hard work and missing great chances the frustrations were really showing on the former QPR striker. He really needed a goal and I so badly wanted him to get one. Maybe Paul Wilkinson should have let him take the penalty.

Full Time: Grimsby 5 -0 Blackpool

Ratings

Ermes - 7 Had so little to do but his footwork was nice when dealing with a pass back. Kicking was slightly suspect.

These 3 had so little to do that I can't really give them a rating