SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday February 29th, 3.00pm
Blundell Park
GRIMSBY TOWN 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Charlie Goode 9
Callum Morton 26, 82
Attendance: 4,879 (303 Cobblers fans)
Grimsby: Sam Russell, Luke Hendrie, Ludvig Ohman (sub Bradley Garmston 46), Luke Waterfall, Anthony Glennon, Elliot Grandin (sub Charles Vernam 46), Harry Clifton, Josh Benson, James Tilley, James Hanson (sub Matt Green 26), Billy Clarke
Subs not used: James McKeown, Elliott Whitehouse, Akheem Rose, Elliott Hewitt
Cobblers: Steve Arnold, Mark Marshall (sub Michael Harriman 80), Charlie Goode, Scott Wharton, Jordan Turnbull, Nicky Adams, Sam Hoskins, Alan McCormack (sub Scott Pollock 60), Ryan Watson, Vadaine Oliver (sub Chris Lines 60), Callum Morton
Subs not used: David Cornell, Lloyd Jones, Morgan Roberts, Harry Smith
Referee: James Oldham
Booked:
Grimsby: Ludvig Ohman (20)
Cobblers: none
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Grimsby: none
Cobblers: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Storm Jorge did its best to force a postponement but following a second pitch inspection at 12.30pm the game at Blundell Park was finally given the go ahead by referee James Oldham.
Vadaine Oliver returned to the side after missing the midweek defeat at Cheltenham because of personal reasons, Steve Arnold replaced David Cornell in goal and Alan McCormack, Mark Marshall and Scott Wharton all started as boss Keith Curle made five changes. Harry Smith was named on the bench after missing the previous two months through injury.
Like in recent games the Cobblers took an early lead, captain Charlie Goode with an accomplished finish after Grimsby failed to clear their lines from a corner.
Arnold saved a Billy Clarke header in a chance for Grimsby who were forced into a change when James Hanson picked up an injury.
It was an open entertaining game and Callum Morton fired a shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, Sam Hoskins with a good run into the box and lay off to set up the goal.
Elliot Grandin spurned an opportunity to pull a goal back for the home side on the break but he decided to take the shot on early and curled his effort wide. Grandin then had another chance moments later with Arnold making a good save to turn the ball behind.
Mariners boss Ian Holloway made a double change at the break, bringing on Charles Vernam and Bradley Garmston.
The Cobblers were looking for a third goal and went close when Goode fired into the side netting from an acute angle after rounding Grimsby goalkeeper Sam Russell.
Clarke curled just wide for the home side before Chris Lines and Scott Pollock replaced Oliver and McCormack in a double change for the Cobblers who continued to press forward.
Pollock drew a good save from Russell who managed to gather in at the second attempt with Morton lurking and the Grimsby keeper also had to turn behind a 20-yard volley from Jordan Turnbull while Clarke fired over from close range in a good chance for Grimsby to pull a goal back and set up a nervous last ten minutes.
Any nerves were then settled by Callum Morton who tucked home his second of the game to make it 3-0, keeping his composure to score after avoiding the challenge of Luke Waterfall.
A third goal was just rewards for the Cobblers pressing play in the second half and it was a thoroughly deserved three points on the road for Keith Curle’s side to keep them firmly in the play-off picture heading into the final ten games of the season.
GRIMSBY MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (7) 11
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 9
CORNERS: (6) 7
FOULS: (5) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (4) 9
FOULS: (5) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3