Grimsby Town - 1 (Chettle 47.)
Crystal Palace - 4 (Routledge 17. Whelan 33. Gray 34. Freedman 88.)

A match like this is always going to be difficult, as Grimsby were sitting second from the bottom of the table, and were going to be desperate for the points, and Palace were left with little to play for other than pride, and of course to show that the midweek match was merely a blip, and not the level of the team's performance.

With the match underway the first action saw a goal kick to Palace, followed by the same at the other end for Danny Coyne, mixed in with a few throws from the sidelines and a couple of free kicks for good measure. A good ball into the centre by Gary Borrowdale was well cut out by Simon Ford before a shot at the other end by Stuart Campbell went wide of the mark.

Hayden Mullins tried a shot at goal for Palace, but the chance was easily cut out by the keeper, and almost straight away Campbell fired a long range effort that flew past the post. Ford then cleared a corner for Palace, and neither side seemed able to gain the ascendancy.

A good shot by Danny Butterfield went just past the post, and then Michael Keane tried a shot that also went wide of the upright. Darren Mansaram was caught offside, and as the ball came back to Tony Gallimore, he lost possession to Wayne Routledge who fired a shot from the penalty area straight into the bottom corner of the net, and suddenly we were one goal up.

A shot by Michael Boulding missed the post, and then Wayne fired a cross into the centre, the other players being unable to get to it in time. Dele Adebola tried a shot that also went wide, and then although Keane was guilty of a foul on Hayden both players ended up getting booked for unsporting behaviour, Tony Popovic taking the free kick. Julian Gray took a corner that Coyne did well to punch away, and though Danny Butterfield put in a good cross John McDermott managed to get to the ball first, averting any danger.

Dele sent another shot goalwards that also missed the mark, but a cross from Wayne found Julian, his touch bouncing nicely for Noel Whelan who made no mistake burying the ball in the back of the net. Almost before anyone could believe we were 2-0 up, Julian made it three with a sweet left foot shot, and it now looked as if Palace were cruising.

Boulding got close to the goalmouth, but a foul on Darren Powell relieved the pressure, and then a couple of corners to the home side put us under a little pressure before the danger was once again cleared. Hayden tried a shot that went over the crossbar, and then corners to Palace were wasted as the first half came to a close.

The second half saw an immediate substitution for Grimsby, Gallimore making way for Wes Parker, and Julian tried for his second of the afternoon, this time the shot going wide once more.

Grimsby were not going to lie down though, and a corner saw them get on the scoresheet as Campbell fired the cross in and Steve Chettle got his head to the ball and it rocketed into the bottom corner of the net. Palace made their own first change shortly after, Noel being replaced by Dougie Freedman, and a corner to Grimsby saw Steve Thomson clearing the danger from our area. Hayden and Tony went down injured, and though Hayden got back up Tony limped off to be replaced by Ben Watson. A chance was cleared by Danny before Dougie played a good ball in to Dele, the chance being cleared off the line by the defence. Grimsby made their next change, Steve Livingstone replacing Keane, and as they won a corner Campbell fired the cross in, and Ford headed the ball well over the bar.

Danny got a cross in to Dougie whose header went just wide of the post, and then he totally wasted the next opportunity, his shot once again going marginally wide. Livingstone tried a shot that Boulding just failed to get to, which surely would have gone in had he got a touch, and then Danny fired in a cross that Ben hooked way over the top. Dougie was caught offside, and then Campbell returned the compliment at the other end. Mansaram tried a shot that kept rising as it passed harmlessly over the top, leaving Alex Kolinko little to do other than watch it keep going, and though Dougie tried a shot Coyne managed to keep it out, the rebound going to Wayne who once again fired the ball over the top.

Dele made a good run into the area, but he just took the ball too far, and he lost possession at the vital moment, and Grimsby decided on their final substitution, Terry Cooke taking the place of Campbell. Danny and Dougie then linked well for the latter to finally find the net, and with a 4-1 scoreline the final four minutes of added on extra time meant little to either side.

A good win to the Eagles, and we now look forward to the visit of Rotherham next Saturday, as this long season winds its' way down. Perhaps we might find a way to win two games in a row?

Colin Pryce

Grimsby Town: Danny Coyne, John McDermott, Simon Ford, Steve Chettle, Tony Gallimore (Wes Parker 45), Stuart Campbell (Terry Cooke 87), Chris Bolder, Paul Groves, Michael Keane (Steve Livingstone 66), Michael Boulding, Darren Mansaram.

Substitutes not used: Christopher Thompson, David Soames.

Crystal Palace: Alex Kolinko, Danny Butterfield, Darren Powell, Tony Popovic (Ben Watson 60), Gary Borrowdale, Wayne Routledge, Hayden Mullins, Steve Thomson, Julian Gray, Noel Whelan (Dougie Freedman 48), Dele Adebola.

Substitutes not used: Cedric Berthelin, Tommy Black, David Hunt.

Attendance: 4,707

Referee: Mr G Laws (Tyne & Wear)