Grimsby 1 Cheltenham 0

By: Jake Olley
Date: 22/04/2006

GRIMSBY Town moved up to third with a 1-0 win at home to 5th placed Cheltenham at Blundell Park. The Mariners made two changes ahead of the must-win game with Michael Reddy returning to replace JPK Kalala and Junior Mendes coming in for John McDermott.

The game started with the Mariners kicking towards the Pontoon end but that did not affect the their style of play as they upped the pace of the game searching for a first goal. Despite this it was Cheltenham who had the first corner which came to no avail.

Grimsby did have the first chance when a nicely whipped-in ball just missed both Gary and Rob Jones to keep the scores level and urge the large Friday night crowd on even further.

Cheltenham though were by no means a poor side as they themselves looked for a goal to keep their slim automatic promotion hopes alive. They were awarded numerous free kicks early on but failed to really create a decent chance.

As the pace of the game slowed a little and with free kicks being wasted it was Michael Reddy who stepped up to blast the Mariners' next set piece into a Cheltenham body to almost certainly deny the Pontoon the goal they craved.

Then the Mariners broke after a needless attack from Cheltenham found Michael Reddy on the left side running and turning the Cheltenham back four. The Irishman then got to the byline before turning the ball back to Curtis Woodhouse with plenty of space and at a decent range. Despite this Curtis over hit the ball into the fortress Pontoon.

With the crowd sensing a goal Reddy took on three Cheltenham defenders before winning the Mariners a corner. The crowd then cranked up the noise. Woodhouse delivered an inswinger into the path of Reddy who saw his shot met by a downward header from Gary Jones which was well matched by Shane Higgs.

Town looked dominant in this spell with Reddy looking dangerous. Town then played Woodhouse in only for the ex-Hull man to force Higgs into a cracking save which then fell to Michael Reddy. Reddy, from four yards out at a tight angle, didn't connect properly but had he done the Mariners would have led. This was the last real action of the first half which had seen Town dominate.

Half Time: GTFC 0-0 CTFC

The second half started with no changes but a change in the game as Cheltenham won an early corner which looked dangerous. The ball came in and went towards the back post were it was met by John Finnigan for what looked like a certain goal. Despite this Mildenhall came across and pushed the ball away with an outstanding save to send the crowd into raptures of 'Mildenhall my Lord'!

Goodfellow then tested Higgs with a comfortable save after a miss-hit free kick. The game was then back with Grimsby dominating and looking like sealing the points.

Though this was not the case until 68 minutes when a ball from Goodfellow resulted in Gary Jones flicking the ball past the advancing keeper to give the mighty Mariners a deserved lead. This was met by huge noise from the 5500+ Mariners fans with even the Smiths and Main Stand playing a part in the party atmosphere.

Straight after the goal Cheltenham brought on Bird for the disappointing Melligan.

With the noise levels rising the Mariners searched for another illustrious goal to seal the points. Reddy tested the keeper before being substituted with Parkinson his replacement.

The game then was then professionally calmed down by the Mariners with very little more created and leaving Cheltenham frustrated and left to ponder what would have been if Mildenhall had not pulled off 'that' save. Though it was Rob Jones' top defending which stole the show to see the Mariners home after a real nail biter at Blundell Park.

Mildenhall - One top save. 8

Croft - Did Okay. 6

Cohen - Impressive and maybe a long term replacement for Macca? 8

R.Jones - Outstanding! Won everything and too good for this league. 9 MOM

Whittle - Better than previous weeks. 7

Goodfellow - Very similar to Pinault last year. Technically brilliant but today lost the ball to easily. 7

Woodhouse - Did fine. Missed a great chance. 6

Bolland - Not really involved but still battled. 6

Mendes - Hit a decent run and today looked a decent player. 7

Reddy - Chased and always looked a threat in front of goal. Not bad for a injured player. 7.5

G.Jones - Scored a vital goal and caused problems. 7.5

Subs.

Parkinson - Didn't do a lot. 5

Toner - No Time.

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