By Match report: Town earn deserved home victory against Crewe
Grimsby Town put in a solid performance to beat Crewe Alexandra at home in League Two this evening.
Goals from Gavan Holohan and Danilo Orsi in either half secured the Mariners a 2-0 victory and all three points at Blundell Park.
Paul Hurst made four changes from the side that lost 2-0 at Tranmere on Saturday, with Anthony Glennon, Andy Smith, Alex Hunt and Even Khouri all coming into the starting lineup.
Following a slow start to the game, Town had the first chance on eight minutes after Orsi showed good strength to win the ball and lay it off to Harry Clifton, who forced Tom Booth into a smart save with his left-footed effort from inside the box.
The Mariners then took the lead with their next attack on 12 minutes through Holohan. Some quick-thinking from Alex Hunt saw him play a free-kick into the path of his midfield partner and he confidently struck the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.
Crewe almost responded just a minute later when a dangerous ball across the box evaded everyone before it eventually made its way to Kelvin Mellor and, with an open goal to shoot at from a tight angle, the defender hit the side netting.
They then had another opportunity after Daniel Agyei got on the end of a ball into the back post and his looping header across goal almost caught out Max Crocombe, but the keeper managed to palm it away before it nestled into the top corner.
Town had an excellent chance to extend their lead on the half-hour mark. Otis Khan beat a man down the left and played the ball inside to Orsi, who hit an air shot before finding some space and seeing his shot blocked by a defender, with Holohan’s follow-up effort also hitting a Crewe man.
The visitors then missed a huge opportunity to draw level when Tariq Uwakwe was played through on goal, but he skewed his left-footed shot wide of the target from inside the box.
It was a lively start to the second half, as the Railwaymen threatened in behind the backline a couple of times before a dangerous ball across the six-yard box from Glennon couldn’t quite find one of his teammates.
Town had another chance five minutes into the half when Khouri found some space inside the area and blazed his effort over the bar.
The young midfielder had another opportunity a few minutes later after Clifton broke forward well towards the edge of the box and laid the ball off to his teammate, who cut inside and saw his right-footed shot go straight at the keeper.
Just before the hour-mark, Agyei found some space on the right-hand side of the box and, after driving forwards, he saw his low shot blocked behind for a corner by Smith. Rod McDonald then headed wide from the resulting corner.
With Town slightly letting Crewe back into the game, a quick breakaway saw substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson play in Agyei down the right and he hit a left-footed effort over the bar after cutting inside.
Christopher Long then had an opportunity when some space opened up for him on the edge of the area, with his shot being deflected behind. After a couple of back-to-back corners, a flick-on at the near post saw the ball find Baker-Richardson about a yard out and he somehow didn’t find the back of the net to bring his side level.
At the other end, Orsi almost put the Mariners two ahead out of nowhere, as he picked up the ball about 40 yards out and hit a well struck, half-volley that Booth held onto well to prevent a wonder goal.
The points were wrapped up on 82 minutes when Clifton sent a pinpoint cross in from the right that found Orsi free about eight yards out from goal and he powered his header into the back of the net, giving Booth no chance.
Long had an opportunity to pull one back for his side with five minutes left on the clock, but his low effort was well held by Crocombe.
Town saw out the last few minutes well to secure a good three points after playing some excellent football.
