Barrow put to the Sword

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 21/03/2026

GRIMSBY thrashed bottom club Barrow 5-0 in a display of ruthless finishing. The Mariners punished the visitors at nearly every opportunity and Cook, Kabia (2) and Green (2) all chipped in with well-taken goals.

Artell named a rare unchanged team for the must-win game, which felt like the start of the run-in to the end of the season. Danny Rose started the season as Grimsby captain but left for Barrow in the transfer window and led the line for the Cumbrian side. He received a warm reception from the Grimsby supporters, which was good to see, and appreciated by the player.

A misplaced pass by Kacurri presented an expected gift to Barrow's Barkhuizen near the start of the game, but Smith stood up well and was able to deflect the shot wide for a corner.

Grimsby struggled to get their game together until they scored with their first decent passage of play, a brilliant run down the right wing and a cross from Burns into the path of Cook, the perfect scenario for him to "get the ball and score a goal" as his song goes.

Walker was forced off with an injury to be replaced by McEachran. The change didn't harm Town, though who were soon further in front. Kabia excelled in a wider position, and cut in from the left in a Town break started by McEachran, and Kabia pulled the ball back for the onrushing Green to power in Grimsby's second.

Barrow started the second half strongly, but Town put the game beyond reach with their third with their first attack of note in the half. Kabia received the ball on the left, created some space with his first touch, and blasted it in with his second. It was a piece of ruthless marksmanship.

The game continued to be interrupted by frequent stoppages, and Amaluzor and Oduor replaced Burns and Turi, respectively, with the match all but won. McEachran, who himself was a substitute for an injury, then went off with a worrying-looking leg injury and was replaced by Sweeney.

With the match still having many minutes of injury time to come, there was time for two more goals. Green headed in a Staunton corner, and a brilliant piece of play by Amaluzor chasing a ball which looked lost, presented Kabia with a tap-in for the final goal.

The ref ended the game after 10 minutes of injury time. There should probably have been a bit more, but Barrow were emphatically beaten by a ruthless Grimsby display, and the ref said enough. Green and Kabia were both excellent, the latter with two goals and an assist. The team weren't at their best, constant stoppages in both halves stopped the flow of the game, but the Mariners punished an opposition low on confidence. The two injuries picked up at least have a chance to recover due to the international postponements. Grimsby next play on Good Friday, April 3, when Harrogate visit Blundell Park.

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