As Glorious as the Weather

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 25/04/2026

THIS season we've beaten Milton Keynes, Notts County, Salford and most recently Cambridge away. All of them are above us in the table. It makes you wonder why we're not higher ourselves.

I went to the away game at Swindon, today's opponents at Blundell Park. After looking like we might be overrun, we came back from 0 - 2 down to earn a draw. Five months on, they sit one point and one place above us, having had a wobbly patch. We shouldn't have to rely on that, as the victories at Gillingham and Cambridge proved that we have options all over the pitch. What remains is the focus and clear-mindedness to perform. Those two victories show that we have that. The first job was to secure our place in the play-offs in the final two games, starting with today.

The starting team today was: Smith - Rodgers, Kacurri, McJannet, Staunton - Turi - Amaluzor, Green, Oduor, Kabia - Cook. Head Coach Artell stood tall and McMenemy-like, with the weaselly besuited Man of the Hollowest Words, today minus his trademark flat cap in the Cleethorpes sunshine, further up the touchline. But this wasn't about them, as our attention turned to what was about to unfold on the pitch. Swindon were in their light gold kit. 8,167 spectators were here today, including around 900 away supporters.

Town, facing the Osmond end, kicked off. Swindon won a corner in the first minute. Smith missed the cross but Cook headed the ball out. As both sides sought to settle down, Town attacked. 6 minutes had gone. Turi took the ball into the box away from goal and was subject to a clumsy tackle by Wright - penalty to Town. A nervous moment. Who was going to take it? It was Kabia. He stepped up and coolly sent Ripley the wrong way, drilling his shot low into the right corner. Town 1, Swindon 0. Knight-Lebel needlessly conceded a corner with poor control but Staunton's kick was short. On 15 minutes, Swindon attacked. Kacurri headed clear and Palmer won a corner. Town struggled to get the ball clear but Palmer's shot on the turn lacked power. Kacurri did well to clear a threat after a good run by Batty. Neither side had properly got into a pattern with 20 minutes gone. On 21 minutes Town won a free kick when Kabia was fouled in the Swindon half. Staunton crossed into the box. Kacurri got up, stretched, twisted and headed the ball towards goal from the back of the box. The ball struck the top of the post, and into the net, leaving Ripley stranded. It was a great delivery and an outstanding header. Town 2, Swindon 0. Town continued to go forward. Staunton squeezed through with a cross on 25 minutes. It was headed clear. Town now looked invigorated. Borland misplaced a cross for Swindon, who were making life easier for Town with their errors. A Rodgers shot on 30 minutes resulted in a Town corner. The curling corner by Staunton was only kept out by Ripley's alertness. Green won a corner as Town applied pressure. Wright deflected a Kabia shot for a corner as Town now dominated play. Cook was unlucky to be called for handball on 35 minutes when he blocked a ball back towards Town's goal. That break was stopped but Town attacked again, and Green couldn't find space after a Swindon slip. Green was called for offside after outstanding work from Oduor. Great control by Cook was followed by brilliant skill from Amaluzor before Wright sliced the ball out for a corner. 42 minutes had passed. Staunton crossed to Kabia who positioned himself perfectly and headed home. Town 3, Swindon 0. Swindon won a free kick on 44 minutes when Nichols was fouled. Wright's free kick wasn't bad but there was no-one to follow up, and Smith gathered the ball safely. At half time the score remained: Town 3, Swindon 0. Plenty for Mr Hollow to think about. Swindon had been awful. After the first 20 minutes Town got going and were unstoppable. The skill level and team play were consummate. From a Town perspective, this had been an outstanding performance. We now needed to stay switched on.

At half time Hoilett had been thrown down the toilet by Swindon and was replaced by McGregor. He wasn't alone as Swindon made four changes. Blundell Park was still buzzing after the first half. But Town had the first shot of the half as Amaluzor struck a powerful left-footed shot which dipped just over the bar. Kabia was bundled over on 50 minutes after a Swindon error. McJannet's ambitious shot over his shoulder was picked off easily by Ridley. A nice move led to a Green shot which he dragged wide. On 55 minutes McGregor had a shot after a weak Staunton clearance from a cross. It was a little lax. Town needed to maintain their focus, and were quickly back up the pitch, winning a corner. Swindon tried to build a move but Olakigbe's cross from the left was ballooned into the stand. Smith's goal kick was headed on by Cook to Kabia who ran on and smacked an unstoppable shot past Ripley from outside the box. Town 4, Swindon 0. At this point with 60 minutes gone Walker, Warren and Vernam replaced Oduor, Rodgers and hat-trick hero Kabia. Town's fans rejoiced, adding a bit of career feedback for the benefit of the Hollow Man. The race was on after 62 minutes between Cook and Ripley after Amaluzor sent the ball upfield. Swindon tried to get back in the game but mishit passes, stood on the ball, overhit crosses or passed to no one as Drinan did on 70 minutes. Just as Swindon were a shambles, Town were terrific. With 20 minutes left, Town just needed to see this out. “We've got the ball”, sang the Swindon fans in ironic celebration. Swindon worked the ball around to make something happen. Warren made a brave block with his head. On 77 minutes Soonsup-Bell and Burns came on for Green and Amaluzor. Swindon persevered. Town defended well. Swindon could be relied upon for a mistake. Burns got a shot in for Town after a good lay-off and control from Cook, but it was blocked. Town moved the ball up well, crossing from left to right before Soonsup-Bell was fouled. Staunton's cross was right on the spot and had to be headed away. Town moved up again. Burns crossed to Walker's head. Ripley did well to tip the header over. On 88 minutes Cook picked up the ball close to the Swindon box before being tripped by Mabete who received a yellow card. Staunton's excellent free kick into the left corner was matched by an equally good save by Ripley. Vernam attempted a curler following the resultant corner but it was nowhere near the target. 6 minutes were added. On 92 minutes Burns squeezed through and crossed. Vernam and Staunton freed up the ball on the left. Vernam now crossed. Burns had a good chance but snatched at his shot. Town continued to press. Swindon had a little spell but Town were determined to keep a clean sheet and maintain the perfect day. Vernam broke out and was tripped cynically by McGregor who received a yellow card. And that was it: Grimsby Town 4, Swindon Town 0. The performance matched the score. Town were vastly superior. It was the last home league game of the season. Town deserved their lap of honour. We're in the play-offs. There's more to come.

Hats off to the Mighty Mariners as we embark upon our post-season play-off frolics. Yes, we've made it. Recent performances should mean that we fear no-one. With an intervening game at Tranmere, we need to keep the in-form squad bubbling, stay sharp and be prepared. There's plenty of reason to be optimistic. We've found form and higher performance levels just at the right time. Every one of Town's players was magnificent today. Our performance was as glorious as the weather in Cleethorpes.

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Alive and Well in Deepest Kent
• A Tactical Triumph
• The Big Disappointment
• More Stories

This Season and previous Seasons