Grimsby Telegraph

McAtee’s return gives Town hope, but not the points

MARINERS BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH AFTER CUP JOY

- By SAM ALLEN sam.allen@reachplc.com

GRIMSBY Town were soundly beaten 3-1 by Doncaster Rovers to make it three league defeats on the bounce for the Mariners. A goal for John McAtee in his first appearance for the club since returning from a shoulder operation was merely a consolatio­n for the Town supporters who saw their side unable to challenge Danny Schofield’s men seriously.

Town were all over the place at the back to start the game, with Kyle Knoyle and George Miller both having good chances to score before the two linked up in the sixth minute to put the visitors ahead.

The hosts toiled for a quick response to Doncaster’s early goal, struggling initially to progress the ball forward, but a great opportunit­y did present itself on the counter-attack on 25 minutes.

The ball was headed out of the Town box from a corner which Harry Clifton latched onto, passing to Otis Khan in space, who quickly played it back to Clifton to give the winger a one-on-one opportunit­y with Jonathan Mitchell.

The Rovers keeper was equal to Clifton’s effort as he came quickly out of his goal to stop the shot.

Schofield’s side did just enough in the first period to frustrate their opponents and hold onto their lead up to the half-time whistle, with Town struggling to get the ball to their lone frontman Brendan Kiernan in goal-scoring positions.

Doncaster did not venture forward a whole lot after the goal but looked dangerous down the right, with Knoyle and Luke Molyneux giving Anthony Glennon a tough time whenever they played it down that side.

It was the perfect start to the second period for the visitors, after biding their time with a slender lead in the first, as Harrison Biggins’ sumptuous half-volley from just outside the area doubled their lead just five minutes after the break.

There was nothing Max Crocombe could do to stop the strike, with the Mariners stunned to their core as Rovers made their position in the game just that bit more commanding.

McAtee was thrown in on the hour mark by Hurst to a rousing reception from the crowd, who hoped for some of the magic he produced on many occasions last season.

However, the visitors pulled away further just minutes later as Knoyle and Miller linked up again to put the game to bed with 25 minutes still left to play.

The home side looked down and out at the point, but the returning star McAtee did at least give the home support something to shout about as he grabbed a goal on his return.

Gavan Holohan did well to win the ball back high up the pitch and slide it to the goal-scorer, who faked a shot twice to create the space to fire past Mitchell for a consolatio­n goal.

 ?? JON CORKEN ?? John McAtee fires home Grimsby’s consolatio­n goal on his return to the side
JON CORKEN John McAtee fires home Grimsby’s consolatio­n goal on his return to the side
 ?? JON CORKEN ?? Grimsby concede the second goal against Doncaster
JON CORKEN Grimsby concede the second goal against Doncaster
 ?? JON CORKEN ?? Town go 3-0 down
JON CORKEN Town go 3-0 down
 ?? ?? Gavan Holohan
Gavan Holohan
 ?? ?? Harry Clifton
Harry Clifton
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom