Southend United end Town’s unbeaten run

Southend United end Town’s unbeaten run

Southend United end Grimsby Town’s unbeaten run in a narrow contest between in-form, promotion contenders.

Grimsby traveled to Southend tonight, a fixture that had previously been postponed due to severe weather. 

Southend were unbeaten in 12 league matches going into tonight’s clash, whilst Town’s recent improvement featured 6 undefeated games. 

Grimsby began the game well, pushing deep as a collective, winning first balls, headers and splitting the Southend defense apart. 

Becoming a Town tradition, the Mariners won the first corner of the game after applying pressure against the hosts. 

Just past the 10-minute mark, Grimsby enjoyed much of the ball, John McAtee’s cross was deflected and fell to Clifton whose strike was stopped with ease. 

Despite Town’s excellent start to the game, Southend started to grow in confidence, Neal forcing a pivotal save from Crocombe in the Grimsby net. 

5 minutes later, the Town goalkeeper was needed again, Powell’s effort tipped over to prevent the hosts bagging the opening goal. 

The first 45 minutes ended 0-0, both sides looked dangerous on the break. 

Commentating over the match on BBC Radio Humberside, David Burns said the Mariners would be happy to conclude the first half all square, given Southend’s fantastic league form. 

Town were asking the right questions during the opening two minutes of the second 45, Harry Clifton broke with pace, fed the ball through to McAtee before the striker hit the ball wide. 

A problematic counterattack from Southend forced Efete to make numerous interceptions around the Town goal, which retained the ball and nullified the danger. 

On the 61st minute, Southend was handed a cheap penalty after a Michee Efete lunge brought down Powell, Sam Dalby converted from the spot to put the hosts in front.

Southend’s goal took the spark out of Grimsby’s forward play, and it was the hosts who looked likely to score the next goal in the game. 

Paul Hurst attempted to change Town’s tempo with a late double substitution, bringing on Dieseruvwe and Burgess to reinvigorate the Mariners final third play. 

In the dying minutes of the match, McAtee almost rescued a point, his shot only able to brush the side netting. 

Moments later, Southend’s Bridge hit the bar after a positive piece of play caught Town off guard. 

The last chance of the tie fell to Grimsby, a free kick launched into the Southend penalty area but noone was there to put it past Arnold. 

The match ended in defeat for the Mariners, ending their impressive unbeaten streak. 

Grimsby are back in action this Saturday, away at Yeovil Town.