Mariners fans react after National League announce season will continue
GRIMSBY TOWN MUST CARRY ON BATTLE TO STAY IN THE EFL
Can’t see us getting out of the bottom two I’m afraid. Unthinkable that having been relegated once to the National League we can repeat it again.
@Maveric81062701
GRIMSBY Town fans have had their say after it was confirmed that the National League season will continue.
The decision was confirmed after clubs voted on how to resolve the current nonleague campaign, with the National League North and South seasons to be declared null and void.
The vote was cast after a number of clubs indicated they would be unable to continue playing without supporters in attendance, after it emerged that further Government funding would come in the form of loans and not grants.
While the majority needed to terminate the season in step two was reached, 13 step one clubs voted against ending the season early, overruling the seven clubs who voted for.
The result means the Mariners and their rivals in the League Two relegation battle won’t get a reprieve this season, and must continue their battle to stay in the EFL. Town currently sit bottom of the pile, with Barrow and Southend United just ahead of them in what appears to be emerging as a three-horse race.
Many fans already fear the Mariners may be going down after what has been a dire season so far, but with 19 games still to go, there is still plenty of time for them to dig themselves out of trouble.
Here’s a selection of the responses from Town fans on Twitter to the news of the National League season continuing: @djhistory: Oh dear. @Maveric81062701: We’re screwed.
Can’t see us getting out of the bottom two I’m afraid. Unthinkable that having been relegated once to the National League we can repeat it again. We simply do not learn our lessons.
@Andrew_Nunn117: I’m thinking the FL may have something to say about this. (Clutching at straws).
@gtfctrawler: Going to have to dig ourselves out the hole. The way we should be expected to in fairness. @Frazermariner: We’re down then, let’s prepare for six more years in the National League.
@dannyward_10: Not good news at all.
All to do now for us.
@ConnSwales: Well, all on us now. Going to be a huge challenge but we have to believe.
@sbray1989: Would much rather stay up on merit anyway. @MikeyMcMahon: Absolutely zero surprise with this. But 7/13 a closer number than I thought. Let’s see how many actually carry on. Only takes 3/4 to follow Dover’s lead and the league falls apart, the important decisions to them completing the season are still to come I feel. @bmussell1997: No excuses now, all chips in to try save the club. @Jacothe8th: Genuinely thought step one would null and void so I’m surprised to see the outcome as I was putting all my hopes on that to keep us up. While positive thinking can get you so far, I hate to say it but we need something of a miracle now. @ccalciok: Still think 46 points will be enough for safety. #GTFC’s situation remains unchanged - 19 games to get 25 points. Stay positive, let’s push on.
GRIMSBY Town have made the long, long journey to Devon as they take on Exeter City in their latest League Two outing this afternoon. The Mariners are still in search of their first win since Paul Hurst’s return, and the need for three points couldn’t be greater as they sit bottom of the pile.
In contrast, the Grecians are once again vying for promotion after falling in the play-off final last season, although they have got a number of notable absentees for today’s game. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the earlier kick-off at 1pm this afternoon, including both sides’ latest injury news and match odds…
Injury and team news
Mariners boss Paul Hurst has admitted his side will have a few players out injured this afternoon, although he wasn’t willing to reveal their identities.
He did though confirm that he will likely make changes from the side that took on Newport a fortnight ago, which would suggest he’ll be without at least a couple of key players. One player we do know is definitely out is Max Wright, while Hurst will take a look at Harry Clifton ahead of today’s game to assess whether he’ll be fit to play.
Filipe Morais though is back in contention after his recent hamstring injury, while Giles Coke will be aiming to make his debut after finally getting his move over the line.
The hosts, meanwhile, have a list of absentees that grew further on Tuesday night after both Alex Hartridge and Ryan Bowman were sent off during the 1-1 draw at Newport. Exeter also look set to be without goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who missed the trip to South Wales with a broken finger, leaving loanee Jokull Andresson as the Grecians’ only fit stopper.
Defender Sam Stubbs and winger Randell Williams are also expected to remain out injured, but Lewis Page and Rory McArdle
may be fit to return.
Match odds
Unsurprisingly, given the two sides’ positions in the table, Exeter are the clear favourites heading into this afternoon’s game.
The Grecians have been priced up at 8/13 on with thepools.com, while Town are outsiders at 4/1 – you can get the draw at 3/1.
As for goals, you can get over 3.5 at 9/5, over 4.5 at 4/1 or, if you’re expecting a high-scoring affair, over 5.5 goals at 15/2.
If you fancy things to be much tighter, you can get under 1.5 goals at 13/5, while it’s 8/1 for under 0.5 goals.
What happened last time?
The Mariners were thoroughly outclassed when the Grecians made the long journey to Blundell Park back in December. Despite Luke Hendrie responding quickly to Ryan Bowman’s opener, Randell Williams’ quickfire double before the break all-but sealed victory for the visitors before Matt Jay added the finishing touch in the second half to complete a 4-1 win for Exeter.
The Mariners were almost made to pay early on as their struggles with playing out from the back continued as Bowman pounced on the ball to set Jay free, but James McKeown was on hand to squeeze the resultant shot away. Town wouldn’t be as lucky later on though as Exeter took the lead just before the 20-minute mark, with the ball being headed back into the area from a corner for Bowman to slide in and poke the ball home.
McKeown was on hand again to make sure they didn’t immediately make it 2-0 through Jake Taylor, and it looked to have been a crucial save when the hosts went on to level
things.
Sean Scannell dug a cross out from the left and sent it to the far post, where Hendrie was on hand to bundle the ball home.
The Mariners looked to be in the ascendency for a short period after that, but their hopes of getting something out of the game were quickly extinguished.
Archie Collins slid the ball through for Williams to coolly finish past McKeown, before the winger doubled up moments later as he squeezed the ball home to all-but secure victory.
The finishing blow came with just over 20 minutes to go as Jay turned the ball home from Joel Randall’s deflected effort, leaving Town to reflect on another heavy defeat.
What the managers are saying…
Exeter boss Matt Taylor said after his side’s 1-1 draw at Newport: “The last few weeks has given me huge belief. Whether it is Rory McArdle’s injury and performance at Stevenage, or coming from behind twice against
Bradford to win that game, this group of players has got guts, it really has.
“We had 10 academy players in our squad tonight, five on the pitch and five on the bench, and even the ones that didn’t get on, like the 15-year-old goalkeeper, will have learnt something tonight. He will have learnt what it takes to be a man in a world of men’s football.
“It’s ruthless, it’s horrible and you get things go against you with referees decisions and goals but somehow, you have to pull yourself through and that group of players did that. My only worry is what it has taken out of them going into such a long slog of games.
“We have lost two players to suspension, but what it has taken out of that group of players will be interesting to see in the next few games.”
Mariners boss Paul Hurst said: “There have been things highlighted that are positive, and that you think if we can continue on those trends and improve one or two of the other areas, you would think that results should improve, and clearly that’s what we’re striving for.
“It’s just making sure the players are willing to run that extra yard and do the ugly side of the game to try and give us the best chance of winning games.
“We need to make sure there’s a belief there, and not a ‘we’re bottom of the league, Stevenage have won again’. So what?
“We can only control our performances to a degree, but it’s important we have a positive mentality throughout the week, and I feel like we’ve got that.”