Football? More like The Muppet Show

By: Robert Salt
Date: 04/11/2006

GRIMSBY Town entertained MK Dons this afternoon at Blundell Park. However, after a bright short start Town ended up finished up looking like Animal, Kermit and a bit of Miss Piggy!

Town started with skipper Justin Whittle back in defence and Isaiah Rankin up front, both whom had returned from injury, with Gary Jones suspended. Peter Bore and Rankin were up front in a 4-4-2 formation. There was also a first home start for right winger Kevin James who is on a 3-month loan from Nottingham Forest.

Town started the brighter of the two teams and almost took an early lead when a cross from the right was met by Peter Bore, whose powerful volley was straight at the MK Dons keeper. Shortly afterwards a MK Dons' free kick was well saved by Barnes diving to his low right to push away the effort.

The game was becoming very scrappy with both teams trying to test each other out, though Town did seem to be on top without really threatening the MK Dons' keeper. Halfway through the first half new loan signing Kevin James seemed to slip on the ball wide on the right and fell awkwardly, this resulted in the player being stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder and he looked to be in some pain.

After that Town seemed to have lost their ideas and game plan and the Dons were beginning to come out on top. However late chances with headers from Peter Bore and Nick Hegarty (who replaced Kevin James) from good positions failed to even be on target; had they been they could have put Town in the lead at half time.

The Second half began with the Dons on top from the first kick, Town were just second best in every department, it really was a poor display by the Mariners and with the Dons completely in charge it was just a case of when, not if, they would score.

It came from a cross from the left and McLeod was able to head home from close range despite two Town players jumping with him to put them in the lead. Shortly afterwards a through ball on the right found Wilbraham, who looked offside but the flag stayed down and he was able to advance to the Town area and lob Barnes as he was running out to intercept him.

MK Dons though were not finished there. Sensing Town's low confidence they were looking for a third goal and it came from a corner that was crossed in and from the resulting scrappy shots and tackles in the Town box the ball somehow found it's way into the back of the net off Wilbraham. By now most of the Town fans had seen enough and were leaving in their hundreds with still 15 minutes to play.

Town however did manage to pull one back with the last kick of the game a Ravenhill volley from inside the are flew into the bottom right corner.

I said on the report from the Notts County defeat I thought we are now in a relegation battle and there was a possibility of dropping out of the Football League. On this evidence and another defeat this is a real possibility that we need to prepare ourselves for. Unless chances are made and made quickly we better had all buy a guide to non-league football.

Man of Match: Nobody deserved it.

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