Grimsby boss Holloway praises fighting spirit

Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2020 by PA

Ian Holloway praised the fighting spirit shown by Grimsby as they swept aside Stevenage to earn a 3-1 win at Blundell Park.

Goals from Elliott Whitehouse and Charles Vernam – either side of a penalty from Billy Clarke – put Grimsby in full control on a bitterly cold seaside night.

A late consolation from Charlie Lakin was the only blot on the copybook as far as Holloway was concerned, but it did not prevent him from recording a first home victory as Grimsby manager.

He said: “It’s never comfortable, it’s never what you want, but I thought the lads showed great spirit.

“They bounced back against a very tough opponent as you could tell by the start of the game. Graham (Westley) knows what he’s doing and he had them right up for it.

“What can I say? The level of play probably wasn’t as good as the weekend if I’m being brutally honest. We probably played better against Crawley in spells, but when we need a goal we were brilliant, and that last one really did please me.

“For lots of reasons, I’m very, very pleased. I was pleased with the crowd on a bitterly cold night, and it’s a massive three points for us.”

Stevenage manager Graham Westley added: “I’ve just watched a side have 19 attempts at an opposition goal at an away ground and seven corners at an away ground. I thought our side took the game to the opposition.

“They conceded 10 shots at our goal. I saw a lot of good things from our side.

“Yeah the scoreline is disappointing, of course. I’m told the penalty was a non-penalty, but I haven’t seen it back myself yet.

“I can’t speak too highly of the players. I thought the work ethic out there was terrific. I think their sense of character to take the game forward, despite the fact that things had gone against them, was exceptional as well.

“I’m not one that believes in bad luck. You make your own luck in life and in football. I say that all the time.

“I said to our players, if they can move forward and put in away performances like that, they won’t lose too many football games.”

Chances were few and far between during the early stages, before Whitehouse put Grimsby ahead with a close-range finish which appeared to take a deflection off Ben Nugent.

Upon the restart, Clarke sent his spot kick down the middle after Harry Clifton had been felled in the area, while Vernam sealed all three points with a terrific solo goal 20 minutes from time.

Stevenage midfielder Lakin did likewise as the clock ticked into added time, but it was too little too late for the strugglers.