Bolton 2 Grimsby 2

By: Richard Lord
Date: 20/02/2001

Sheer grit and determination from Grimsby earned the Mariners a tremendous 2-2 draw at Bolton. Both goals came from set pieces with Groves and Enhua being the scorers on 34 and 64 minutes respectively.

Going into the match, many would have predicted a comfortable win for the Trotters, but the Mariners went to spoil the party. A capacity crowd of just over 24,000 fans witnessed one of Town's best away performances of the season.

Grimsby, who started in a 4-4-2 formation with Campbell on the left, took a shock lead on 34 minutes when Campbell's free kick found the head of Groves who guided the ball into the back of the net. Bolton, who had chances to take the lead, were forced on the back foot and it was no more than Grimsby deserved.

Bolton started the second half at a furious pace, winning 6 corners in succession but failing to convert any chances created. The huge crowd had to wait no more than 15 minutes into the second half until Bolton's pressure finally paid off. A side-rule pass released several white shirts and the ball was put into the net via the post from Gudni Bergsson.

The guile of Grimsby showed as they pushed up looking for the lead once more. Another Stuart Campbell free kick was put into the box and this time it was Zhang Enhua who headed in to complete a great week for the Chinaman. Bolton then went looking for their second equaliser and that duely came 10 minutes later on 74 minutes when Hansen scored. With Blackburn winning, it meant Bolton had lost the chance to pull clearer in the promotion chase, and it turned out to be a very important point for struggling Grimsby.

Bolton may feel they were robbed of a victory but Grimsby had sufficiente chances to win the game. At 1-0 Livingstone headed wide from 5 yards, and at 2-2 Menno Willems could have grabbed a third goal to steal all three points. There will be no doubt this was a result Lennie Lawrence would have accepted before the game, but with his team leading twice he may feel the Mariners deserved the win from the match which was played on a very heavy pitch.

Grimsby: Coyne, Groves, Enhua, McDermott, Campbell, Smith D, Coldicott, Donovan, Jeffrey, Livingstone, Willems

Subs: Croudson, Handyside, Butterfield, Black, Rowan

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