If it had been submitted as a Roy of the Rovers script it would have been dismissed for improbability. Veteran injury ravaged centre forward returns to old club 13 points adrift at the bottom of the league. Said same player goes into last home match on 99 league goals with club needing win to stay up against the odds…. If ever a moment was written – it was when Fletch swivelled on to a loose ball in the 80th minute to write Chapter 11 of his autobiography.
9008 crammed into Dean Court to watch two sides whose recent heroic efforts had lifted them both close to safety. Eddie made two changes from the Chester win – Bradbury in for the injured Cooper and Feeney given a wide slot in place of Goulding.
The match went off like a storm with Bournemouth hell bent on an early goal. Fletcher headed Wiggins cross into the path of Pitman who flashed a volley over and then when Henderson flapped at another Wiggins cross Feeney rapped the post from an oblique angle with Pitman volleying inches wide from the rebound set up. Feeney and Pitman were in total ascendancy during wave after wave of home attacks – with only a Conlon header cleared off the line by Pearce acting as an interlude for Grimsby.
Molseley turned cleverly to cross for Robinson to head inches wide and at the other end Sweeney hit a swerving volley inches wide as the match pulsated in front of the full house. Bournemouths control of the loose and second balls was immense with Hollands and Robinson establishing a strangle hold on the midfield.
When the first goal came it was completely against the run of play with Akpro outpacing Garry on the left to cross for Conlon to head into the path of JARMAN who deftly nodded home in the 40th minute. The silence of the home crowd was broken in first half injury time when Boshell, who had been booked for stupidly kicking the ball away earlier, saw red when he went over the top on Hollands to leave Grimsby facing a whole second half with ten men.
HT – Bournemouth 0 Grimsby 1
Eddie Howe had obviously implored his side to get an early goal but even he was probably surprised it only took two minutes. Pitman cleverly released Hollands into the box and when his deflected drive came smashing back off the crossbar FEENEY stole in to fire back across goal and into the bottom corner.
Bournemouth went for the jugular in an orgy of attacking pressing football. Hollands headed just over following a goalmouth scramble, Fletcher headed a peach of a Bradbury cross straight at Henderson and Bradbury and Pitman both troubled the Grimsby keeper from 25 yards.
Mariners attacks were few and far between but Akpro was at the centre of any danger and twice turned to fire wide on rare break aways. Feeney made way for Gowling with 20 minutes left as Eddie looked to turn the screw as Bournemouth continued to wear Grimsby down pressing high and attacking any Grimsby possession in packs. It was one last herculean effort.
And then the magic moment came with ten minutes to go. Pitman released Wiggins brilliantly into the box and Molesley looked to be shoved when going for the cross. With the crowd screaming for the penalty Robinson forced the ball back into the box where a back-pedalling Fletcher swivelled and smashed a half volley past three players and into the net. The veteran hitman ran off shirtless along the main stand towards Eddie Howe his legendary status more permantly concreted than ever before.
Grimsby finished the match with one more low and one more high. First Widdowson became the second Mariner to get to the bath before the rest when he elbowed Molseley but then the Chester result came in to spark equally wild celebrations from the travelling fans. We were all staying up after all – so all the songs were correct!!!
FT – Bournemouth 2 Grimsby 1
Player Ratings
Shwan Jalal – 7/10
Handled well after early knock.
Lee Bradbury – 8
Faultless defending and clever attacking play.
Jason Pearce – 8
Another towering display of blocking and heading from our player of the year.
Ryan Garry – 7
Generally composed but didn’t close down for Grimsby’s goal.
Rhoys Wiggins – 8
Would be great to sign permanently – superb attacking full backs display.
Liam Feeney – 7
Vital goal and great flashes although couldn’t really get away from speedy Widdowson.
Anton Robinson – 7
Understated display of interceptions and tackling.
Danny Hollands – 9
Captains display of tackling, running, shooting and passing – epitomised spirit of Eddies revival.
Mark Molesley – 8
Tricky, clever and non-stop running at defenders from Jimmy Quinns only notable contribution to the club.
Brett Pitman – 8
Clever link play and dangerous set pieces. Ran hard this week too.
Steve Fletcher – 8
Looked tired but forced every last sinew into winning headers, bringing others into the game and firing another piece of his legacy into the net…… so fitting.
Jeff Goulding
VERDICT
The tremendous charge under Eddie looked like energy and injuries were running out of steam until last Saturday. One last push saw us over the line with two vital wins over closest rivals. If we keep this talented manager and make a couple of additions this is a promotion winning squad he has created. Happy days are back. Now…..over to the accountants.
