Blundell Park, home of Grimsby Town based in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire and play their trade in League 2. Nicknamed the “Mariners” due to the fish trade of the town.
My second attempt to visit this ground after the first one being postponed due to horrendous winds back in November 2021… Probably not the best time to visit a ground next to the sea front anyway… As underdressed as I was on that day according to Mariner Chris.
Today it’s Mansfield Town who are the visitors meaning I will be sitting… Well more than likely standing in the away end so I probably won’t be able to see the sea from that end but oh well. A big thank you to the Super Stag for the ticket for today who will be dressed as a banana just like Tom and a few others.
So to the M1 to the M18 onto the M180 to the A180 and all parked up with about just over an hour till kick off. £7 for parking.
Now for the walk down Grimsby Road and it’s absolutely tropical here! No winds and no worries… Well except for the result of course! The smell of fish and chips is rife in the air here! It is irresistable! “I’ll have a cone please Tony!” When in Grimsby…
Back down Grimsby Road and… Mariner Chris? Oh yes it is! Fantastic to see him once again and with his Mansfield Town friends! WE’RE ALL STAGS AREN’T WE! I’ll have a slice of chocolate cake from this place for dessert. A great catch up with Chris and a pleasure to meet the others and we are en route to the ground.
Around the corner to the Osmond Stand and it’s £13 to watch this League 2 tie! Splendid! The atmosphere is building nicely already! It’s getting cramped in here… You can’t see the other end of the ground from the back of the stand which is probably why… Out come the teams! Who in the end will like to be beside the seaside?
Kick Off! “Ally ally ally oh! MTFC! We’re the Yellow army!” Brilliant from the Mansfield fans so far! 8 minutes in and Mansfield play a through ball for Stephen Quinn, keeper comes for it… Quinn gets there first… But the keeper claims the loose ball.
14 minutes now and Mansfield play forward, it’s played to Lucas Akins who gets into the box on the right, he cuts inside and shoots… Over! This away end is getting really cramped here…
No real clear cut chances as the game goes on but Mansfield are having more of the possession here and more of the atmosphere as well!
39th minute and Mansfield play down the left, it’s crossed in, Jordan Bowery controls and gets a shot away… OH IT’S GONE IN!! JORDAN BOWERY YOU BEAUTY! The keeper couldn’t keep it out! That’s promotion winning luck right there! 0-1!
Into injury time in the first half and Davis Keilor-Dunn has the ball in the Grimsby half, he goes for goal from about 40 yards out… Over! A first half with not many chances ends 1-0 to Mansfield. COME ON!
Second half, Grimsby have come out fighting here. 51 minutes played and Grimsby play a through ball to George Lloyd, Pym charges out… OH NO! He’s brought him down… Penalty! No arguments there… Yellow Card for Pym! Otis Khan will take… Not him?! He steps up… SAVED… The rebound is headed in… Typical… *SIGH* Grimsby are level… George Lloyd got to the ball first and heads it in. It’s 1-1!
3 minutes later and Grimsby play down the right, it’s played to George Lloyd in the box on the right, he shoots… It’s saved and held by Pym.
63 minutes now and Grimsby play the ball over the top and George Lloyd will get to this and volley at goal first time… OH! What a save! Pym tips it wide for a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Mansfield.
73 minutes now and Mansfield break, Lucas Akins drives to the edge of the box and he lets fly… Good save!
77th minute and Grimsby come forward, they get the ball into the box from the right, it falls for the shot… Blocked! George Lloyd runs into the loose ball from close range… OH! And he’s missed! What a chance!
Both teams here seem relatively content with a point… And that is what they are going to get. Mansfield back in the play-offs on goal difference with results going our way but you have to feel like that was a big chance to capitalise!
FT: Grimsby Town 1-1 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 7/10 – Brilliant again from the Mansfield fans! Drowning out any noise from the home crowd.
- The Ground: 9/10 – I really like this ground! Very old school! My only criticism is the away end with restricted views at the back and it being pretty cramped… I would like to experience that top tier one day potentially.
- Expense: 10/10 – £13 for this is pretty good! I’ll take that!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – A frustrating day for Mansfield but not a bad one all in all. Great to see Mariner Chris once again and meet his Mansfield friends and great as always to see Tom and the Super Stag of course!
32/40