HURST: IT WAS MEANT TO BE
GRIMSBY boss Paul Hurst felt his side’s opening-day victory over Morecambe was fate.
Returning to the Football League after a six-year exile, the hosts were deserved winners in front of more than 6,000 fans at Blundell Park.
Kayden Jackson and Ben Davies scored either side of the break, while Josh Gowling saw red for a professional foul.
However, his dismissal mattered little in the end as the Mariners ran out worthy winners. “It feels good to get that victory,” said Hurst (right).
“There was a fantastic atmosphere in the ground, even before kick-off.
“A lot was made of the occasion, and there was always the fear that it wouldn’t go to plan. But I thought the lads were excellent. Going down to 10 men made it more difficult, but it was one of those days where it was meant to be.
“I think it was well deserved, in truth, and it’s a good start to the season.”
Morecambe boss Jim Bentley said: “Obviously you want to get off to a good start on the first day of the season.
“But credit where credit is due, Grimsby deserved to win. They made better decisions than us – and looked to have that bit more know-how in their squad than us.
“We have quite a few inexperienced players in our side, particularly in the back four.
“Maybe we needed a leader in there to take control – they scored early on, and we should have cleared our lines.
“An early goal, with the crowd and the feel-good factor from promotion, gave them a shot in the arm.”