Grimsby2 Newport 0 A View From Pontoon Pat

A brace from Blundell Blunderbuss Alan Connell saw off a spirited challenge from Newport County as Wales week climaxed with a 6 points maximum. Clinical Connell scored on 30 and 50 to reach double figures for the season as the fire breathing phoenix club lost for the first time in 11 games. His 10 goals in 13, 9 in the last 8 sees him blasting a goal every 116 minutes.

The line-ups
With Watt joining the walking wounded Garner was Woods only change. Nice to also see Atkinson on the bench after his operation.
—————–38 O’Donnell————–
19 Wood 5 Kempson 6 Garner 3 Ridley
2 Bore 8 Cummins 28 Wright 29 Eagle
———-18 Carlton 17 Connell———


Subs
30 Croudson (G) 25 Atkinson (D) 15 Samuels (D) 4 Hudson (M) 10 Peacock (F)



Newport
21 Garner
2 Bignot 6 Todd 5 Warren 16 Anaclet
7 Rose 22 John 4 Collins 11 Henry
9 Reid 10 Foley

Subs
25 Proctor (G) 23 Clough (M) 20 Knights (F) 27 Morgan (F) 19 Matthews (F)

Arghhh – Harghhh to the game fellow football fans to the game.

Billed as the Blue Square Battle of the hotshots, 9 goal Craig Reid, gunslinger extraordinaire, came to town in search of Cool boots Connell, himself racking up the tombstones and bed notches in his wake. This was a place for reputations not accusations with passion the fashion and goals the game, on a day to make the Pontoon swoon.. There could only be one winner, sea shanties aplenty, but let us not ruin our tall tale before it has time to unfold. Best break out the rations of rum to enjoy as she be retold. Ah-ha!

Newport tricky-dickey hooray Henry showed the first threat of the day, but his cross come shot bounced like an Irish bank cheque all the way to our on loan Owl O’Donnell. A sumptuous dink of an up and over from Long John, with an absence of silver, perfectly matched the run of Foley who blasted over from the edge of the box.

A slow start shipmates, but weather the storm we would with all able seaman pitching in to bring the fruits of the deep Blue home. The cutlasses were drawn and Carlton was cut asunder for daring to cross the half way line with Todd`s name being the first in the book.

The Mariners first real effort, an Eagle corner saw Connell and then Kempson, the boy is the Blundell Buttress at both ends, fail to get clean shots away as the visitors continued to dominate. We got lucky on the quarter, when an all hands on deck cross from Henry saw Garner handle, as he rose with Reid on referee Bond`s blind side.

A bit of Eagle magic put Carlton through but he was robbed by the keeper at the last, as the Mariners began to get a toe in and influence the tempo and the style of play. Eagle again exchanged with Carlton but this time the offside flag intervened, but the tide had turned and the purpose and momentum suggested this would be ours for the taking at last.

A moment later the opener duly arrived, all brilliance beauty sweetness and light, oh yes all down the Clee road we`d be frying this night. Bore controlled, and ran wide down the flank like a bonsai beach wave, then pivoted and moved into the box before flicking the ball square to, the predator. Connell coolly converted whilst salting his chips as the Pontoon partied on down. Yep time to let loose ’twas 1-0 to Town.

Stunned by the Mariners efficiency in front of goal not to mention supremacy down the flanks, Newport were losing their foothold in the game, although a freekick proved they were by no means out of things. O`Donnell went all indecisive from Henry`s set piece but the overlapping player was curiously ruled offside.


No changes at the break ensured the Mariners would continue to enjoy the better of things with Newport going for a way back into things on the counter. Kempson was immense, imperiously heading away another Henry freekick early doors before the Connell cometh – again.


The Blundell Blunderbuss up for a brace began the events that fashioned the decider that he duly despatched. Quick feet saw a reverse pass to Bore who gamely won us a corner. Eagle sent over a gem that caused more mayhem than a fire in the hold, Kempson rose at the far post and headed down into the 6-yard box. Mine said Connell and the Blunderbuss bundled it home.

Holdsworth made wholesale changes with Matthews on for Foley and Knights for Henry in search of salvation. The sea be a cruel beast as Reid will testify as he lost out on another penalty appeal, going down far to easy with Kempson. Garner was also forced to head a weak Matthews’ header off the line as an end to end game ensued. Bore was back to his brilliant best sacking his fullback for fun and getting off a volley that deserved better at another Eagle corner.


Peacock replaced Carlton on 65, who received an ovation for another unselfish shift that warranted an A for effort. Knights and Odhiambo both had efforts that failed to trouble O`Donnell. Connell on a hat trick then shot down their Garners throat. Eagle also fired wide after a slick exchange with the goal machine. Mathews headed Newport`s last chance over, before being rudely done by a bit of a late by Wright who got a yellow for his trouble.

Peacock had a late strut but Garner was equal to it before the hat trick moment was taken from us. A half cleared corner was picked up by Hudon who threaded the eye of a needle to find Connell who instinctively finished only to be ruled offside. Never mind Alan there is always the televised game on Thursday. Looks like Forest Green for go – All hail Allan – Grimsby gladiator and goal machine.


Grimsby Town 2 – 0 Newport County

Blundell Park, England

Attendance:
2/10/10 15:00


Referee Jonathan Bondin

Scorers

Grimsby Town Alan Connell (30 & 50)
Newport County


Shots (on Goal) 6(6) 9(4)
Fouls 17 9
Corner Kicks 4 3
Offsides 6 1
Time of Possession 56% 44%
Yellow Cards 1 3
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 3 3


Grimsby

38 O’Donnell
19 Wood 5 Kempson 6 Garner 3 Ridley
2 Bore 8 Cummins 28 Wright 29 Eagle
18 Carlton 17 Connell


Subs
30 Croudson (G) 25 Atkinson (D) 15 Samuels (D) 4 Hudson (M) 10 Peacock (F)



Newport
21 Garner
2 Bignot 6 Todd 5 Warren 16 Anaclet 22 John
7 Rose 4 Collins 11 Henry
9 Reid 10 Foley

Subs
25 Proctor (G) 23 Clough (M) 20 Knights (F) 27 Morgan (F) 19 Matthews (F)


Grimsby Town Substitutions
Lee Peacock for Danny Carlton (65)
Mark Hudson for Michael Cummins (84)
Dwayne Samuels for Peter Bore (90)


Newport County Substitutions
Robbie Matthews for Sam Foley (52)
Darryl Knights for Charlie Henry (62)
Charlie Clough for Jamie Collins (85)


Grimsby Town Yellow Cards
Andrew Wright (81)


Newport County Yellow Cards
Chris Todd (9)
Jamie Collins (22)
Robbie Matthews (71)