Grimsby roll with punches to deliver knockout demanded by manager Holloway

Posted Wednesday, February 26, 2020 by PA

Ian Holloway says Grimsby rolled with the punches and delivered the Tyson Fury-style knockout he called for in the build-up to facing Newport.

After taking the lead inside the opening minute, the home side went on to record a 4-2 verdict against their Sky Bet League Two rivals.

Bradley Garmston, Josh Benson, James Hanson and Max Wright were on target for Grimsby at Blundell Park, with Jordan Green and Padraig Amond scoring for the south Wales side.

The victory means Grimsby have now picked up nine points from a possible 12.

Holloway said: “There were a few punches thrown, weren’t there? People got their money’s worth. I would like things to go a lot smoother than that, but it never does, does it?

“It wasn’t the most ideal situation with us not being able to train the day before.

“We have just got this horrible habit of going too deep. That doesn’t protect things when you’re in front and that comes from having a bad run.

“We have got to stop that. I want to press and I want to get up the pitch. When you get in front you should press even more.

“I’m delighted because the lads took defeat on the chin, came back in and put some hours in, without being able to train on the grass.

“I’ve got to say well done, because it’s not spring yet and I feel there is something coming out of the ground.”

Newport manager Michael Flynn admitted his side paid the price for making a slow start.

He said: “It’s disappointing for us. After the first 50 seconds, we were already chasing the game.

“We did well to get back into it and we should have taken the lead, but their player hit a great free-kick and we were chasing the game again.

“We left ourselves a little bit open and they scored the third. We got back into it, only to miss a couple more chances, and the fourth one goes in when we were all out trying to get the equaliser.

“The fact of the matter is we’ve conceded four goals and I’m not happy with that, so I’m not making excuses.”

It was a lightning-quick start from the home side, who went in front after 49 seconds when Garmston followed up an initial strike from Charles Vernam.

Green responded with a close-range finish, before Benson curled a superb free-kick into the corner to put Grimsby back in front.

Hanson made it 3-1 upon the restart with a low volley, while substitute Amond gave Newport a lifeline against his former club.

As the clock ticked by Grimsby put the game to bed when Wright found the top corner with a deflected strike.