Grimsby throw away 3 points in playoff battle

Grimsby throw away 3 points in playoff battle

Grimsby throw away three points after going 1-0 up during the first half.

The Mariners had a tough game ahead of them tonight as fifth place Solihull Moors sat three places above the Black and White army. 

Grimsby failed to punish Boreham Wood at the weekend despite being the better side, which inherently increased the pressure for the hosts to perform if they have any real possibilities at the play-offs this season. 

Hours before kick-off, the Mariners announced new signing, Gavan Holohan who has joined the club from Hartlepool United, a prolific goal scorer ready to bring a new lease of life among Towns attacking threat. 

Team sheet released, new boy Holohan starts, the Mariners kicked off chasing promotion dreams. 

The opening 45 minutes displayed a lack of creativity, inspiration and authority, the visitors arguably looked the dangerous side venturing forward. 

Solihull Moors conceded a collection of early yellow cards, Roney booked after just 6 minutes for a foul on Michee Efete which could prove crucial in the final quarter of the clash. 

Unlike their trip to Boreham Wood last Saturday, The Mariners failed to create an attacking move with promise. 

Similarly, the travels could only hit Town on the break, Max Crocombe’s fingertips kept out an away opener, Dany Amos covering the rebound. 

Just before the 30th minute, Solihull almost broke the deadlock after Clarke danced into the Town penalty area, picking out Sbarra before his effort was deflected behind for a corner. 

Against the run of play, Grimsby found a way through, Harry Clifton bagging the opening goal. 

Clifton began the play after beating his man before clipping the ball wide, into the path of Maguire-Drew who fed it through to Holohan, the signing then squared it back to Clifton whose near post effort beat the keeper. 

The first half concluded with the Mariners leading. 

Grimsby got the second half underway and looked confident on and off the ball. 

An early attacking move from the Mariners suggested they would not sit back and simply defend the narrow lead. 

Amos stuck the ball from the edge of the box after a good spell of intricate passing but was unable to keep his effort on target. 

Moments later, Clifton almost bagged a brace after the forward combined with Holohan before he pulled the trigger, his effort smashed against the post and the subsequent rebound was smothered by the keeper. 

Grimsby continued to apply heavy pressure in the Solihull half, the Black and White army looked like a different side after their first-half performance. 

Burgess was next in line to test his luck after his strike from distance was deflected behind for a corner. 

Minutes later John McAtee sent Blundell Park into madness after his header met the arm of a Solihull defender, only for the referee to wave the claims away.

Emulating Grimsby’s goal against the run of play during the first half, the visitors found themselves level after Hudlin was first to react inside the Town box, following an initial save from goalkeeper Crocombe.

After the equalising goal, Grimsby looked flat and uninspired which was exacerbated after Solihull netted the winner.

Kyle Hudlin was found in space and headed home to send the visitors home with all three points.

The game ended 2-1, Solihull punished poor play from Grimsby to take all three points home.