Same old story as Mariners pay for missed chances and silly errors
TOWN LACK QUALITY IN BOTH BOXES
GRIMSBY Town were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Colchester United as they played in front of fans for the first time since March.
One thousand home supporters were in attendance in Essex as, despite an abundance of chances, the Mariners somehow came away on the end of another defeat, with goals from Tommy Smith and Callum Harriott either side of Luke Hendrie’s strike.
Ian Holloway made three changes to his side following the defeat to Exeter – although there was one notable absentee in his squad. Having hoped he might be able to include James Hanson for the first time since the goalless draw at Stevenage, there was no sign of the former Bradford City man. Instead, Mattie Pollock, Kyle Bennett and Owen Windsor returned to the side in place of Duncan Idehen, Harry Clifton and the injured Matt Green.
The hosts carried much of the threat early on, and it wasn’t too long before the Mariners found themselves behind as Colchester went in front inside the opening 10 minutes. Town’s defending once again left much to be desired as a corner bounced through the area, with the sliding Luke Waterfall beaten to the ball by Smith, who poked home as the ball agonisingly stayed out of reach of the sprawling James McKeown.
The hosts continued to press, but Town held firm and as the half wore on, managed to build up a head of steam before their big opportunity came.
Windsor was denied by a fine save from Dean Gerken, although the West Brom loanee should have made more of the chance after being given time to pick his spot.
It wouldn’t matter too much though as,
from the resultant corner, Hendrie sped across the face of goal to meet the ball and flick it goalwards, with Gerken unable to keep it out as Town’s vice-captain picked up his second goal of the week.
The Mariners continued to press, and almost found another way through when Sean Scannell looked to put Owura Edwards through on goal, but Cohen Bramell managed to keep pace with the winger to bring the attack to a halt.
Moments later, the 1,000 fans in attendance were left baying for a penalty as Callum Harriott went down under the challenge of Danny
Preston, but there was nothing coming from referee Lee Swabey – much to the chagrin of the home support.
The game continued to go back and forth into the second half, although the hosts began to wrestle back control before they got their noses back in front.
Holloway was left infuriated with his side’s defending as Harriott had a couple of attempts of getting through – and gave the visitors ample opportunity to win the ball back – before eventually firing home past the crowd of players and into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
Town put a decent spell together as they searched for another equaliser, with Bennett almost sneaking a free-kick in below the crossbar before Windsor saw his acrobatic effort blocked.
An even better opportunity would present itself shortly after, with Bennett’s free-kick from the right finding Waterfall just a matter of yards away from goal, but the defender somehow managed to poke the ball over the bar. Town found themselves frustrated in their search for an equaliser as shot after shot was blocked, and despite their best efforts, they were forced to head back empty-handed.