It's All Over Bar the Play-Offs

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 02/05/2026

HAVING secured our play-off spot so spectacularly last week, today's fixture is effectively meaningless. Given the performance problems we've had after we've had a break, such as happened before the recent Chesterfield game, it was of concern that we weren't going to be hitting the ground running when our play-off campaign starts next week.

We've hit form at the right time, and in recent games Oduor and Amaluzor have given us fresh options. It's to the credit of Head Coach Artell and the recruitment team that we've strengthened the squad over the course of the season, with the introduction of Smith, Kacurri and Cook. So there's plenty to be encouraged about. Today's job was to keep ticking over in readiness for the closing acts of the season. Mr Artell spoke about maintaining momentum today as we head towards the play-offs but didn't give the air of someone who was too concerned about it.

The starting XI today was: Smith - Warren, Kacurri, McJannet, Sweeney - Turi - Amaluzor, Green, Walker, Vernam - Cook. Perhaps unsurprisingly there were four changes to the side which started against Swindon. It was nevertheless a strong team. Town were in blue and red today.

Town kicked off. Amaluzor was fouled inside 30 seconds. Tranmere were able to clear. On 3 minutes a big clearance fell to Green, who headed onto Cook on the edge of the box. In spite of being clear, Cook fired his shot wide, thus wasting a good opportunity. Moments later Whitaker reciprocated by ballooning a shot high and wide for Tranmere. On 6 minutes Warren lost the ball but Whitaker's shot, albeit better than his previous attempt, was off target. Town won a corner after Bristow denied Green following a headed knockdown from Cook. There was plenty of effort from both sides but retention of the ball was a problem. McJannet seemed to going for the “longest pass” award. A terrible clearance by Tranmere's keeper Marosi fell to Vernam, but Green's control when receiving Vernam's pass was dreadful. Town passed the ball about and probed. A great interception by Walker set up Vernam who crossed. Watson put the ball out for a corner. Walker then found space but his shot was deflected for a corner. A lovely ball upfield forced Marosi to clear the ball for a throw after pressure from Vernam. Tranmere won a free kick on 28 minutes after Amaluzor bowled over Whitaker. The ubiquitous Whitaker was guilty of a foul on Warren on 33 minutes, giving Town a free kick on the right. Vernam's free kick was underhit before Green, who seemed to be having ball control issues today, ran the ball out of play. Kenneh then lost the ball. Walker ran into the Tranmere half and on but as he entered the box, he made poor contact with his shot. Town made a move on 37 minutes with Turi supplying Walker who shot high. Joseph had a shot on 38 minutes after McJannet deflected a cross, but in common with today's game, the finishing was poor. On 43 minutes Vernam supplied Walker in the middle. Green was ahead and received, laying off to Amaluzor who hammered the ball in. Tranmere 0, Town 1. This was the score at half-time. Town had been well on top, and deserved to be winning but had struggled with the final ball and finishing until the goal. Tranmere looked hesitant and nervous as they battled to avoid relegation.

On 47 minutes Sweeney cut out a threat from Finley. Moments later Town were up the field. Vernam saw Green on the right. Green did well to reach the ball and cross it for Amaluzor who was on hand to finish from close range but was distracted by Smith. Sweeney was fouled on 51 when running forward following a deft flick from Vernam. Walker passed to Sweeney who shot was scuffed wide. Vernam skill again led to a trip on Walker, which led to a corner. A nice move from Town came undone when Vernam slipped when trying to receive a Sweeney back heel. Ironside kicked Town's keep Smith when chasing the ball on 59 minutes. Smith recovered, and Town went on the attack. Vernam's cross to a crowded near post was dealt with by Taman. The ball came out. McJannet made poor contact. Kacurri slipped. Ironside was clear. From nowhere McJannet appeared and nicked the ball off Ironside. Having improved since the introduction of substitutes Tranmere continued to attack and won two corners. Whitaker delivered the second of them on 64 minutes. Smith rose and headed into the left-hand corner of the net. Tranmere 1, Town 1. Town made changes, with Oduor and Soonsup-Bell replacing Green and Cook. After doing nothing earlier, Tranmere had some momentum, winning another corner on 69 minutes. Kacurri and Sweeney combined to clear the ball. A Turi interception and work in the corner from Soonsup-Bell led to a Town attack. Kabia replaced Turi on 77 minutes. Vernam found Warren on the edge of the area but Warren was too slow and was dispossessed by Ironside. Amaluzor won a corner on 78 minutes. Vernam had a shot blocked as Town passed the ball around to find a gap. A minute later Watson fouled Soonsup-Bell, but Sweeney sent his cross directly to Marosi. Brilliant play by feinting Amaluzor on 83 minutes in a superb dipped and curving shot which Marosi was able to punch clear. Burns and Staunton replaced Amaluzor and Sweeney a minute later. Tranmere won a corner on 87 minutes, McJannet heading out under pressure. Whitaker found Ironside's head but Ironside couldn't keep it down. Ironside won a throw deep in Town's half. Negru's long throw to Finley was dealt with. Town worked the ball around as the game entered added time. Walker received a yellow card for fouling Marosi as Tranmere looked to break out. The game ended: Tranmere Rovers 1, Grimsby Town 1.

So that's it for regular-season action. Ordinarily we'd have been disappointed with a draw after such domination, but this was a good workout before the serious business resumes next week.

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