Grimsby and Lincoln shared the spoils in their derby
Mariners boss Jolley laments City penalty as Lincoln nick point
GRIMSBY TOWN manager Michael Jolley was diplomatic in his view of the penalty that denied his side victory over county rivals Lincoln City.
With just under 20 minutes left in the game, and with the Mariners on top after going 1-0 up through Martyn Woolford’s firsthalf strike, referee Carl Boyeson pointed to the spot after John Akinde went down under the challenge of Danny Collins.
The striker picked himself up to tuck away his second spot-kick in as many weeks, and ensure it was honours even in the Lincolnshire derby.
There was plenty of debate among supporters as to whether it should have been a penalty, with Jolley believing it should not have been given – but he remained calm in his summing up of the incident.
“The view from where I was on the bench was that it wasn’t a penalty, but of course I would say that,” Jolley said.
“I’m not a manager that wants to come in and slate referees – the referee thought it was a penalty, I’m sure he’s an honest guy, and he decided to give it, so there’s nothing we can do beyond that.
“The referee’s paid to make judgments, just as we all in our own right. He thought it was a penalty – I’m not going to sit here and criticise him.”
On the game, Jolley added: “I think it was a really good advert for football in Lincolnshire.
“It was a really good derby, the atmosphere was good, and I give credit to both sets of supporters for the way they came and supported their team today. I’m really proud of my players. We’ve had some indifferent performances at the start of the season, but I’m really happy with the group that I’ve got.
“I thought we were excellent – we were the better team, and I thought we were unlucky not to win the match.”
Grimsby become the first team to take a point off Lincoln this season – and, after a blistering start by both sides, it was they who took the lead shortly after half-an-hour.
Jordan Cook laid the ball off to Woolford on the edge of the penalty area, with the midfielder stroking the ball beyond the reach of Lincoln goalkeeper Josh Vickers to get the home crowd on their feet.
Town increased the pressure after the break, with a sustained spell in their opponents’ third creating chance after chance, with Collins going closest as his header was cleared off the line.
Lincoln found themselves level with just under 20 minutes to go though when Akinde went down under the challenge of Collins before picking himself up to bury his spot-kick and earn his side a point.
Imps boss Danny Cowley was happy to come away from Blundell Park with a draw – and felt his players weren’t quite up to the standard they had shown in their previous games.
“It was a tough game, and a really good result,” Cowley said. “We didn’t play to our best – we
were disappointed with our levels, but we live to fight another day. The art of being a successful team is to pick up points when you don’t quite hit your levels.
“I think you have to credit Grimsby because they played well. I thought they played at the top of their game, they obviously got themselves into the lead and they drew confidence from that.
“I thought we had pretty good control up until their first shot on target, which they scored from. They definitely drew confidence from that and were good from there on in.
“We were short physically, I thought we were definitely short technically in the attacking areas, and I don’t think it happened for any of the players today.”
GRIMSBY: McKeown 7, Davis 6, Famewo 7, Whitmore 7, Collins 6, Welsh 7, Hessenthaler 7, Clifton 6 (Vernam 77, 6), Woolford 8, Hooper 6, Cook 6 (Thomas 83, 5) Subs not used: Russell, Dixon, Robles, Rose, Wright
LINCOLN: Vickers 6, Eardley 6, Toffolo 6, Shackell 6, Bostwick 7, O’Connor 6 (Pett 64, 6), Frecklington 6, Anderson 5 (Green 57, 6), McCartan 5 (Wilson 81, 6), Andrade 5, Akinde 6 Subs not used: Smith, Rhead, Wharton, Chapman