GRIMSBY TOWN 3
Green 24, 80, Barrington 48
GRIMSBY boss David Artell felt they showed their superiority in the second half of their win over Morecambe at Blundell Park.
Inspired by two goals from Kieran Green and a first since October for Brighton loanee Luca Barrington, the Mariners made it back-to-back wins on home soil.
Andrew Dallas gave Morecambe early hope with his first-half equaliser, but their play-off contending opponents outclassed them in the end.
For Artell, a response was needed from a first-half performance that lacked conviction despite going ahead early on, and he got just that from his team.
He said: “We were okay for the first ten to 15 minutes of the game, but we sort of lost our way after that, and it became a really bitty game.
“We scored from a corner with a good header from what we worked on, and they had one shot that ended up in the back of our net, then it became a bit scrappy.
“We said to them at half-time that they’re better than that in possession, and they have so much more in them, and I think they showed that in the second half, and in the end, we saw the difference in league position between the two teams.
“It’s easy to say you’re better, but you have to show it, so the players deserve credit for going out there and performing like they did in the second half.”
Green continued his strong season with a double, and his manager sang his praises.
“Greeny is a great bloke first and foremost, and that is what we want at this club,” added Ar-tell.
“You talk about a growth mindset and working hard; he deserves all the credit he gets for this performance.”
The Mariners took the lead in the 24th minute through Green, who headed in Denver Hume’s corner kick with a diving effort at the edge of the six-yard box.
Morecambe levelled just six minutes later. Dallas was a late addition to the lineup following a warm-up injury to Ged Garner, and the former took his chance by curling a shot into the top left corner of Jordan Wright’s net.
Grimsby restored their lead in the 49th minute as Barrington fired past Harry Burgoyne on the edge of the box.
Burgoyne made a smart stop at his near post to deny Darragh Burns as the hosts looked to increase their advantage.
The Mariners got the third goal they were pushing for in the 81st minute, with Green getting his second of the afternoon as he poked in Harvey Rodgers’ low cross from the right flank.
For Morecambe, it was a big setback in their survival bid after consecutive home victories, with the gap to safety at six points with five games to play.
Boss Derek Adams said: “I thought in the first half, it was an even game between the two sides.
“Andrew Dallas scored a terrific goal, and we were happy going in at half-time because there wasn’t much in it.
“We should’ve done better [for the second goal], but then we were chasing the game. “We made several changes to try and affect the game, but they got another goal and deserved to win the game with their second-half performance.”
GRIMSBY: Wright 6, Rodgers 7, Tharme 7, McJannett 7, Turi 7 (McEachran 45, 7), Burns 6 (Svanthorsson 73, 6), Green 9 (Davies 84), Khouri 7, Hume 6, Rose 7, Barrington 8 (Warren 90+2). Sub8s not used: Eastwood, Thompson, Vernam.
MORECAMBE: Burgoyne 5, Lewis 6, Williams 5, Stott 6 (Songo’o 78, 6), Tutonda 5 (Taylor 71, 6), Jones 6, Lewis 6, White 6 (Dackers 63, 6), Dallas 7 (Cooke 79, 6), Angol 6, Hope 6 (Tollitt 63, 6). Subs not used: Schofield, Slew.
MORECAMBE 1
Dallas 30
Cardiff City
Omer Riza is proud of his Cardiff City troops
Championship
OLIVER’S SET FOR BIG STEP
