The Gobern Glide-By A view from Pontoon Pat

Darlington 0 Grimsby 1 A view From Pontoon Pat

Welcome to the Gobern glideby shipmates, a world where our crown prince of pace pulls an ace from the very end of his bootlace. And break out double rations of rum for the crew Captain Peacock!

Argh – harghhh!

Grimsby

With Leary and Peacock suffering the affects of a virus, Charlie nursing a knock and Coulson out for the month, the Codfather was forced into changes. Samuels dropped to the bench with Bore moving to right back as Lewis Gobern took a long overdue bow on the right wing. Cummins came in for Leary to partner Hudson in the centre; with Corner taking up Coulson / Peacock`s berth up front next to Connell.

——————–1 Arthur—————————–
———- 2 Bore 5 Kempson 16 Watt 3 Ridley———
——- 7 Gobern 8 Cummins 4 Hudson 29 Eagle——-
—————— 17 Connell 23 Corner—————-

6 Garner (D) 15 Samuels (D) 19 Wood (M) 10 Peacock (F) 9 Ademeno (F)



Darlington
Tommy Wright had to sit this one out with Offiong getting the nod next to Hatch.

——————–23 Russell————————-
——–2 Arnison 6 Miller 18 Hone 25 Brown——
——14 Gray 21 Terry 20 Smith 16 McReady ——
—————–7 Hatch 22 Offiong——————-

1 Jack (G) 24 Clarke (M) 4 Chandler (M) 10 Senior (F) 17 Smith (F)


But to the game shipmates to the game??????.

The Mariners kicked off in their Blue Square blue, with Corner lively early on as he clattered Arnison to slow him down a bit. Connell had first strike, catching the ball under his spell before unloading a half hearted effort that bounced like a bad cheque.

The Mariners were holding the hosts, our miserly midfield and defence nullifying them; indeed their first effort came on 11 when a cross flew across the box and out for a goal kick. The opening half had little to engage any neutrals in a sparse 1993 (approx 220 Town) crowd as the Mariners mangle chewed the creativity out of the Quakers, whilst struggling to make it count.

Ridley, captain for the night, was forced off on 23 with Wood replacing him. Gobern, Connell and Eagle started to spark sparked as we won three corners. Alas only one necessitated Russell`s intervention when he punched clear for another corner. One Gobern run gave Bore a wonderful opportunity to put us one up but he flashed wide from 25 yards.

Darlo fashioned a half chance for Hatch who was adjudged to have his foot up as he tried to connect with Arnison`s cross. Hatch then saw yellow for a naughty tangle with Wood as the Town defence continued to peel oranges in its pockets without spilling a drop. Kempson clearly had a halo on in the ref`s eyes, escaping a caution for a challenge on keeper Russell who needed treatment.

Gobern and Bore seem to be developing a promising understanding with Lewis finishing a slick interchange with a 20 yard rising drive just the wrong side of the crossbar. As the half closed, Watt got his third yellow in 4 games, taking one for the team when he curtailed a move in its midfield infancy.

Darlo manager Mark Cooper was not a happy man, but despite a half time rant he merely swapped Michael Smith for the ineffective Richard Offiong. Few on or off the pitch would have any opportunity to inwardly digest anything from half time as the Mariners took the lead.

Eagle flighted a cultured out swinging corner right into the centre of the box for Watt to rise supreme. His bullet header down the centre sent the travelling Town fans mad. Cooper then put Clarke on for Gray and demanded a reaction. That is easier said than done with this town defensive phalanx. Smith did get through and fluffed his lines whilst Hatch continued to suffer at the hands arms feet and head of Blundell Beast Darran Kempson. This lad is a legend in the making

Cometh the hour cometh the Charlie, with the infectious forward larging it from the off, as he replaced Corner. Eagle`s 30 yard curler forced Russell into a superb fingertip save as the Mariners wide men started to really get into the game. Smith should have done better for Darlo, heading wide.
The Gobern glide-by started to really catch the eye as the gifted lad ghosted past statues. Connell was inches from diverting a furious cross home, as the prince of pace laid waste to all on Darlo`s left yet again. On came Peacock for a fifteen minute strut as Eagle was given a rest.

Darlo gave it their all against the Grimsby grinder with a last ten salvo. Clarke had a dig from 25 minutes but another Gobern glide-by almost put it beyond doubt. The cross was superb the bullet header from Connell perfect, but Russell was equal to it and acrobatically palmed the ball round the post.
Darlo swarmed forward, a Hatch header flashed just over from 10 yards and Miller needed treatment, which prolonged the agony a tad. It was a fast and furious last five minutes of injury time. Senior should have done better but failed to connect at one end and a Peacock drive denied at the other by another outstanding save from Russell. Hatch again headed over as everyone came forward for the last attempt of the game.
Although Cooper is not a happy Quaker, the Grimsby grinder was superb last night. It wont win any beauty contests, but then again 1-0 to the Town every away game will do the trick. If we could just find a centre midfielder to brighten up the home games.


Darlington 0 Grimsby 1
Attendance 1,993

24 August 2010, 19:45
Official(s): R West (Referee)

Darlington
———————-23 Russell————————-
——–2 Arnison 6 Miller 18 Hone 25 Brown——
——14 Gray 21 Terry 20 Smith 16 McReady ——
—————–7 Hatch 22 Offiong———————

Subs
1 Jack (G) 24 Clarke (M) 4 Chandler (M) 10 Senior (F) 17 Smith (F)

Scorers


Cards
Paul Arnison (79)

Substitutions
Michael Smith for Richard Offiong (46)
Joel Clarke for Josh Gray (49)
Chris Senior for Gary Smith (62)



Grimsby Town
———————-1 Arthur—————————–
———- 2 Bore 5 Kempson 16 Watt 3 Ridley———
——- 7 Gobern 8 Cummins 4 Hudson 29 Eagle——-
—————— 17 Connell 23 Corner——————-

Subs
6 Garner (D) 15 Samuels (D) 19 Wood (M) 10 Peacock (F) 9 Ademeno (F)

Scorers
Steven Watt (48)

Cards
Steven Watt (45)
Michael Cummins (73)
Lewis Gobern (76)

Substitutions
Bradley Wood for Lee Ridley (24)
Charles Ademeno for Tom Corner (60)
Lee Peacock for Robert Eagle (76)

Darlington / Grimsby Town
Shots (on Goal) 7(1) / 8(3)
Fouls 14 / 19
Corner Kicks 4 / 9
Offsides 3 / 1
Time of Possession / 47% / 53%
Yellow Cards 1 / 3
Red Cards 0 / 0
Saves 4 / 4