What a frustrating game, at times brilliant in attack, more often woeful in defence.  This performance was not on a par with the last 3 Grimsby games.  Was it that the team were playing without a win Leeds?  Certainly I had been privy to conversations as to where in the league 3 points would take us.

Perfect start, 30 seconds 1-0.  1 minute 1-1. Thus it continued to 5-5 and 16 minutes on the clock.  Work hard score a goal concede each reply a replica goal straight through the middle of the Grimsby ‘defence.'

On 16 minutes the game turned, Leeds scored 2 without reply.  Grimsby replied hitting the post, but the gap could not be narrowed.

Leeds, in the part games I had watched, had not been as bad as results conveyed; recent Grimsby form suggested that the game should have been loaded in their favour; it did not work out that way.

Grimsby started the second half positively, they got their game plan right and penned Leeds back in the early stages of the second period, creating chances, hitting the bar, but not getting the all important goal to stress Leeds.  In fact the all important goal was scored by Leeds (5-8).

At this point the Grimsby team could have crumbled, that they regrouped and had another go at rescuing a losing situation showed great character. Grimsby came close to levelling - 6-8, 7-8 with 40 seconds left on the clock.  Daniel Hornigold goal keeper (Leigh Graves had been sacrificed as keeper for an extra outfield player) pressing the last attack, the ball was intercepted and from their own half Leeds scored.  7-8 would have looked a closer score, bit a loss just the same, Grimsby had to take chances with so little time left, and the price was paid.  Had their first goal been scored early in the half I am convinced it would have given the impetus for at least a Grimsby point?

Individually the team fell short of their recent impressive form, several players were by their own admission were ‘below par;' it was no surprise then that the team was struggling to get into top gear.

Players have debriefed and as a result I am positive the team will be stronger from this set back.

Mathew Payne 3, John Frary 2, Kirk Russell 1, Daniel Durrosimo 1.

Peter Grant, Josh Parry, Luke McClellan, Leigh Graves, Daniel Hornigold, Lee Wilkinson