By Match report: Town U18s suffer narrow FA Youth Cup defeat to Crewe
Grimsby Town U18s were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup following a narrow defeat to Crewe Alexandra on Monday night.
The only goal of the game was scored by the visitors’ captain Owen Lunt to seal his side’s place in round three of the competition.
The young Mariners had the first chance of the game on two minutes, with Harry Thorpe hitting a powerful drive from 25 yards that was well tipped over by Crewe keeper Jack Flint.
An effort from Ty Webster at the other end took a deflection on its way past the near post, but the resulting corner was well dealt with by the home defence.
Dec Dennis got down to make a stop from midfielder Lunt as Crewe started to control possession around the 20-minute mark, then another chance came and went as Callum Agius’ header was blocked by the keeper and rolled to safety.
Agius sent another header over the bar on the half-hour as the away side continued to put pressure on the Town goal.
Dennis then made a smart save to deny Webster’s free-kick from 25 yards out, tipping the effort over the bar.
Town had been forced to defend for long periods, but they managed to create an opening of their own on 44 minutes, as Cameron Gardner cut inside from the left and worked some space to hit a cross-shot towards the far post, although nobody was on hand to apply a vital finishing touch.
Despite Crewe continuing to enjoy the majority of the play, the Mariners created the best opportunity so far on 53 minutes when Harry Milner looked up from the right and pulled the ball back for Gardner, who steered his effort wide of the far post.
Just as the hosts were starting to come into the game more, it was the away side that took the lead. A cross-field ball found Lunt on the left and he slotted a low finish past Dennis into the far corner of the net on 68 minutes.
The Mariners keeper made a good stop to deny Matus Holicek, as he looked to profit at the far post after a cross-field ball from the right.
Town went in search of an equaliser to keep their cup hopes alive, with substitute Brook Dennis heading over the bar in injury time.
That proved to be the final chance of the game as the hosts just fell short in their bid to cause an upset against opposition from a higher league.
The Young Mariners now return to EFL Youth Alliance league action, where they will head to Bradford City for their next outing.
