Just Back

Quoted from hampshiremariner

From a distance in Spain following the game on the BBC website, it looked like the Alamo. Heroes everyone of them, fighting for the cause. Fifteen corners to zero! Not many fouls in the game' There were 46 in the Cambridge-Gimps match (25 to the visitors). We have an outstanding keeper and clearly a huge amount of team spirit. Well done, lads.

Cambridge fans not very complimentary to imps and the way they play.  

The first thing I have to say is that I’ve never seen such a great goalkeeping performance in a Grimsby Town shirt. Macca made at least eight incredible saves. A ten out of ten performance if ever I’ve seen one.

Exeter are a good side with the ball. Not so great without it because they gave us time to play first half. They started on the front foot and could have been ahead inside two minutes if it wasn’t for a wonder double save from Macca. We grew into the game, played some nice football and looked dangerous on the break. Whitmore was winning everything as RHJ looked a little lost positionally and we didn’t really stop them from crossing in some great balls from deeper positions. Another couple of saves from Macca then we broke down the other end and Woolford superbly volleyed in a looping ball at the back post from twelve yards showing incredible technique. Exeter were always dangerous yet the game evened out a little as we played some nice football at times. On the balance of play and chances created you couldn’t say we deserved our half time lead, but knowing the injuries we’ve got and how MJ had to shuffle the pack, our endeavour and hard work deserved something. Hessenthaler and Clifton were busy, Embleton not quite at his best, our full backs were both outstanding and Thomas working his nuts off up front on his own assisted occasionally by the hard-working Cardwell from the right. Woolford buoyed by his goal showed one or two good touches yet we were still letting too many crosses in from deep and those crosses were excellent, the best I’ve seen from a team this season. We had a scare just before half time as Exeter had a goal ruled out for offside as one of their players came back from off the pitch and tapped in from close range. Hats off to the linesman for spotting this as the ref looked like he had awarded a goal and hats off to every Town player for rushing over to the linesman to complain.

Having played so well with a makeshift partner first half Whitmore was deservedly sent off for a foul in a midfield area when he didn’t have to challenge for the ball. Hardly cynical and not the worst challenge you’d ever see, just a little late and slightly high lunge that gave the ref a decision he had to make. Hopefully he’ll learn from it and thanked every one of his magnificent team mates after the game.

With 11 v 11 on the pitch and even though Exeter could out football us for long periods as they have some seriously good ball players, I always thought that we could score another goal second half but the sending off put an end to that. For the last forty minutes it was like an attack versus defence training drill. Exeter could not have played better against ten men yet they came up against a never say die side that put everything on the line to get three points. Yes, we rode our luck, and yes, Macca made at least half a dozen wonder saves but I’ve never seen a side so under the cosh and keep their shape so well. Pollock got his head to at least half a dozen dangerous crosses, a goal line clearance and made two or three important challenges and must be really proud of his performance tonight, and well done MJ for putting his trust in him. At some stage Exeter had to score, and they did, only for them to give away a stupid penalty a minute later. It was the only time one of our players touched the ball in their penalty box after the sending off. Ahkeem ghosted behind their defender who put an arm across him and Ahkeem bought the penalty well with a superb fall/dive as the contact wasn’t that strong and the referee pointed to the spot. In my amazement MJ brought Rose (pen) on to take the penalty. I really wanted Embleton to keep the ball and take the pen as I hate seeing players taking a pen with their first touch of the game. How could I ever doubt Mitch Rose? He strode up and nonchalantly sent their keeper the wrong way and sent those magnificent travelling haddocks into delirium and also this one over here in Spain.

After that, it was like the Alamo. Cross after cross, block after block, save after save, faux penalty appeal after faux penalty appeal plus Stockley hit the bar with a header and a sitter from six yards was missed as we nail bitingly entered injury time. There was still enough time for Macca to make an unbelievable save from a point blank Stockley header, but we held out.

We may not be the finished article by any means, we’ll need players back from injury and two or three new additions in the transfer window, but.. these players are playing for MJ and they’re playing for the shirt. 10% less and they’d have got beat by six today and that’s the difference. Incredible battling performance today full of endeavour, team spirit and exceptionally strong work ethics that should make every Town fan’s heart burst with pride tonight..

So much going on in the match, I’ve probably left out loads of talking points. Great game and an even greater result!!

Quoted from Meza

Cambridge fans not very complimentary to imps and the way they play.  

They must be wrong because those imps that come on here keep telling us they are the next Barcelona.

Quote from an Exeter fan on their website after saying ho they'd bombarded our goal "we had ten shots on target they scored with their only direct shot on goal" Errrr,we scored two!

The proudest I’ve been of the team in a long time. We truly look like contenders now if we keep this up. Macca is the best GK in the league and we’ve got a team of battlers in front of us now.

As for Whitmore, it should be a ‘never put us in that situation again’ conversation and move on. Sure he’ll be gutted but his team mates pulled him out of it today.

Quoted from Gaffer58

They must be wrong because those imps that come on here keep telling us they are the next Barcelona.

Lincoln are as cultured as The Barcelona (not the football club, the night-club)

Felt we invited the pressure today....after the first few minutes where they shot out of the blocks we looked comfortable enough in the game when we pressed them....when we didnt press them they played with ease and seemingly had a spare man in every part of the pitch....once Whitmore went off we sat deeper and deeper ..the back four playing on the 6 yd line and the midfield around the 18 yd line.
We got away with it today make no mistake , they missed some sitters, Macca made some excellent saves and the players blocked at the last ditch ....but the last ditch blocks were largely because we were leaving their players unmarked..despite having everyone behind the ball.

A Rose was playing as a right back after we gained the lead and we had no one up the pitch at all which just made it so easy for Exeter to just advance to 25 yds and put the ball in at will...really dont understand why Jolley did that...yes we got the points but just think that was largely due to luck as opposed to an effective defensive shape.

First half we looked good and alot better than against Vale and County...the sending off knackered that.
Credit to Jolley for ...Woolford in for Pringle, played well first half and very economical with the ball and a lovely finish...credit for A Rose on...quickly earned the penalty...and one of the most masterful substitutons of bringing on the penalty taker to take the penalty...was hiding behind the sofa as thought Mitch would be too cold to take it but did the business and finally for giving a specific mention to Pollock post match.

Sounds like a Coyne at QPR 2001-esque performance from Jimmy Mac  

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Lincoln are as cultured as The Barcelona (not the football club, the night-club)

Matt Rhead is the perfect example of the women in the Barcelona.    


Somewhat overweight and goes down far too easily 😄

Quoted from Civvy at last

Matt Rhead is the perfect example of the women in the Barcelona.    


Somewhat overweight and goes down far too easily 😄

In case Mrs Civvy is reading, he meant to write 'allegedly'