Low marks all round as Town turn in abject performance
BENNETT MOST LIKELY TO CREATE SOMETHING FOR MARINERS - BUT LACK OF QUALITY IN THE SQUAD IS CLEAR
GRIMSBY Town’s relegation fears worsened as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Port Vale. First half goals from Tom Pope and Devante Rodney put the hosts firmly in control, before Luke Waterfall’s own-goal settled the scores on the hour-mark.
The defeat means the Mariners remain in the League Two relegation zone, and Paul Hurst’s search for a first win in his second spell as manager continues.
James Findlater shares his player ratings from Vale Park...
James McKeown: Good to see him back, although it looked as though he should have done better to keep the opener out. Superb save to deny Montano before the break, unfortunately it didn’t make a difference 5/10 Luke Hendrie: One of the better performers, and looked a decent threat down the right. Should have perhaps been more selfish with a first half chance, which could have at least given Town some hope 5/10
Luke Waterfall: Like a lot of his fellow defenders, he didn’t enjoy a great afternoon. Given a tough time by Pope, who showed Town the value of quality centre-forward 4/10 Mattie Pollock: Not one of his finest performances. Error almost led to Vale grabbing a third in the first half, and generally didn’t quite look himself 4/10
Danny Preston: Not a great day for the leftback. Given plenty of problems from Worrall, who was given too many opportunities to get the ball into the box 4/10
Filipe Morais: A quiet game for the winger, although he looked one of the steadier heads in the middle of the park. Didn’t quite get into the match as much as previous outings 5/10
Elliott Hewitt: Didn’t really see enough of him, particularly after showing how big a threat he can be in the penalty area last weekend 4/10
Danny Rose: Found wanting as Vale took the lead early on, it all just seemed a bit too easy for the hosts to bypass him at times. Not having a great run at the moment 4/10
Harry Clifton: Perhaps needs to show a bit more quality in midfield. Came off at the break and was seen on crutches, which will be a concern 4/10
Kyle Bennett: If Town were going to find a way back into the game, it seemed a good bet it would be via one of his deliveries. His teammates let him down by being caught offside on a couple of occasions 6/10
Matt Green: It’s just not happening for him.
The ball bounced off him, and he gave pressure-relieving fouls away. Not a huge surprise to see him come off just after an hour 3/10
From the bench
Sam Habergham (Preston 45): Hard to judge him given the way the game was going, but great to see him make his debut after over two years out 5/10
George Williams (Clifton 45): Brought on to try and inject a bit more attacking intent, but didn’t really get himself in the positions to make a difference 4/10
Montel Gibson (Green 66): Went close with an effort late on, although by that point the game was well gone 5/10
Max Wright (Morais 73): Good to see him back, and he provided a bit more impetus late on 5/10
Not used: Russell, Spokes, Jackson Jr.