Grimsby Town Foundation equalled the record for the furthest progression in the U19 EFL CEFA National Cup this week with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Fleetwood Town.
The win puts Grimsby in the last 16 of the prestigious competition for only the second time in its short history. In the 2021-22 season, Grimsby were knocked out by Ipswich Town, in the last 16 tie, losing 1-0.
The Mariners U19 shadow side made the long journey to Fleetwood on Wednesday, knowing they would have to be somewhere close to their best against a Fleetwood side that reached the semi-finals last year.
With a lot riding on the result for both sides, combined with the difficult conditions, the game started as quite a cagey affair, with neither team creating many chances. The first-half chance came for the Mariners just 30 minutes in, with Jack McSpadden aiming for the edge of the box, but his effort was comfortable for the Fleetwood keeper. Minutes later, Fleetwood had a golden chance to open the scoring, but Ethan Lowe in net for Town made a great save 1v1.
It was becoming more likely that the game would be decided on fine margins, whether by mistake or a moment of brilliance. That moment of brilliance arrived at the 35-minute mark through Dan Evison. The winger won the ball high up the pitch and drove at the heart of the fishermen’s defence, beating two or three defenders before sliding the ball into the corner of the net to give Grimsby the lead.
Just before the half time, Fleetwood began to grow into the game and in their search for an equaliser, won a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of Town’s box. Lowe had to be at his best again, tipping the free kick wide enough that the Fleetwood striker following the ball could only hit the post from the tight angle. Town held out against the pressure and took a valuable 1-goal lead into the break.
The second half mirrored the opening 25 minutes of the first half, with the ball spending most of its time being contested for in midfield. This time a mistake would result in a goal, and it went the way of the hosts. A long throw, was misjudged by Baldwin, which allowed the Fleetwood number 9 to nip in and finish emphatically off the underside of the crossbar to level the scores with around 20 minutes to play. The game had merely had a chance to settle down again before the key turning point in the match arrived. Wootton nipped in between the defender and keeper after a long ball, and the defender dragged Wootton down before he could get his foot to the ball. The official pointed to the spot and after deliberation with his linesmen issued a second yellow card to Fleetwood’s number 3. Evison stepped up and rolled the resulting penalty in the corner.
With the hosts down to 10 players and just under 15' to play, you might have thought it would be plain sailing for the Mariners however, Fleetwood wasn’t about to let that happen. Wootton had a great chance to wrap up the game, but couldn’t connect with Jackson’s pullback from six yards with the goal at his mercy. Fleetwood threw everything forward in the last few minutes, and Ethan Lowe had to be quick off his line to deny the Fleetwood striker with a brave intervention with his feet.
Grimsby saw the rest of added time out relatively comfortably to secure their place in the round of the last 16. The Grimsby Town Foundation shadow scholarship team will face West Bromwich Albion Foundation next Wednesday at home- Franklin Sixth Form College.
Scorers: Dan Evison 35’ & 70’
Man Of the Match: Ethan Lowe
