Mariners miss their big chance in battle
TOWN HELD TO GOALLESS DRAW
GRIMSBY Town missed the chance to make up some ground in their battle against relegation as they were held to a goalless draw by Colchester United.
Lenell John-Lewis had the best opportunity of the game as he struck the woodwork from just yards out before the break, with the Mariners now sitting six points off safety after Barrow’s win at Walsall on Friday. Paul Hurst was forced into two changes following the dramatic draw at Carlisle in midweek.
James McKeown returned in goal as injury ruled out Jake Eastwood, with the onloan Sheffield United stopper set to be out for around a month.
Harry Clifton was back in the starting line-up as both Sam Habergham and Joe Bunney were ruled out, while Julien Lamy was fit to start again after being a slight doubt in the build-up to the game. After a forgettable 15 minutes in the driving rain in Cleethorpes, Town began to threaten as first James Hanson’s cross from the right just drifted over Lenell John-Lewis, before Clifton’s cross was claimed by Shamal George before it reached Hanson at the far post.
McKeown though was the first of the two goalkeepers to be really tested, with an almighty scramble leading to former Mariner Harry Pell having a sight of goal, but the long-serving stopper did well to meet the midfielder and block his effort. Colchester were baying for blood midway through the first half as Jay Matete looked to be in a bit of trouble after a nasty-looking challenge on Ryan Clampin.
Despite the visitors’ loud protestations – and Pell unsurprisingly acting as ringleader – the Fleetwood loanee managed to escape with a yellow card, although he was undoubtedly walking a tightrope for the remainder of the game.
Town were well on top for the duration of the first 45, but couldn’t test Shamal George in the Colchester goal – although they should have gone into the break with an allimportant lead.
Hanson was once again influential as he looked to square the ball to John-Lewis, with George getting a touch to it but unable to prevent it dropping to the Town skipper, who somehow managed to strike the crossbar from just a couple of yards out.
A sedate start to the second half saw neither side really creating anything, that was until just before the hour-mark as Pell threatened on a couple of occasions. The midfielder fired over before forcing McKeown into a good save moments later from the edge of the box, and Giles Coke had to be alert shortly after to deflect an effort wide on the line.
Town huffed and puffed, but it proved to be an easy night for Colchester keeper George as the Mariners missed a great opportunity against a struggling side, leaving them adrift in their battle at the bottom.