By Town bag 4 in dominant Cup clash
Following two tough opening fixtures during the Mariners’ return to League Two action, Paul Hurst’s Black and White Army faced an inform Crewe Alexandra side in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of kick-off, the Grimsby gaffer made several changes to the side that started against Northampton Town at the weekend, most notably giving new signing Aribim Pepple his Mariners debut.
The Railwaymen are one of five sides to take six points from six in League Two, scoring five goals and conceding just once, which indicated Hurst’s Mighty Mariners were in for a difficult night of football.
As kick-off loomed, Town fans began to flood Blundell Park wearing an array of new myenergi branded shirts, including the newly released 3rd kit!
Hurst’s Mariners got the game underway – Pepple received a loud welcome to Blundell Park as his name was read out.
Grimsby began with promise straight out of the gates and their high tempo saw the first corner of the game go Town’s way.
Following a spell of high intensity from Mariners, Town experienced their first half chance of the clash. Efete was first to react to a teasing cross via a free kick but could only send his headed effort over the bar.
Paul Hurst’s side were eventually rewarded for their excellent start to the Cup tie, a dominant performance during the opening 15 minutes.
Luke Waterfall had the ball in the back of the net after his towering leap proved too strong for the Crewe defence.
The Crewe keeper was forced to take the sting out of Grimsby’s forward play after Hurst’s men were allowed to stitch several passes together which naturally exited the home fans.
The Mariners continued to retain the majority of possession and created numerous threatening forward moves but were unable to punish Crewe’s backline. The Railwaymen were fortunate not to have conceded two penalties following late ditch tackles as Town pushed for a second.
10 minutes before half time, Kiernan Green scored a screamer from 25-yards-out. Green struck the ball on the half-volley with deadly precision after the Crewe defence cleared a Mariners free kick. The audacious effort had Town fans on their feet across Blundell Park.
Moments later Green almost added his second and further increased Grimsby’s control over the game. The summer signing charged forward with the ball, showcasing his strength and determination, before he pulled the trigger inside the box only to send his effort wide of the mark.
Half time concluded with Grimsby leading 2-0.
The second half started off with Crewe emulating Town’s high tempo as they looked for a way back into the game.
Grimsby’s keeper was called into action early to retain his side’s two goal lead, the first real threat that the visitors posed.
Despite Crewe’s hopeful entrance to the second 45, the Mariners found their third goal of the night. Glennon’s curling free kick found Andy Smith inside the box, the latter then slotted the ball past the keeper.
The visitors slowly gained confidence on the ball in desperate attempts to score a lifeline but Town’s tight backline forced Crewe to strike from distances that failed to test Crocombe in the Grimsby goal.
In the final minutes of the 90, Grimsby found their 4th goal after a breathtaking counter attack from a Crewe corner resulted in Wearne smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Grimsby Town’s first taste of Carabao Cup action finished with a 4-0 victory. Paul Hurst will be looking to get his first three points in League Two this Saturday.
