Michael Jolley hails Grimsby desire

Posted Thursday, December 27, 2018 by PA

Grimsby boss Michael Jolley praised the desire of his side after a 1-0 victory at Port Vale sealed a third straight League Two win.

Wes Thomas decided matters after 62 minutes, courtesy of a swerving drive that flew straight into the top corner.

Vale had the better chances in Staffordshire, though, with substitutes Ben Whitfield and Louis Dodds both going close.

However, that proved to be in vain as Grimsby – now 14th in the table – recorded their first victory on the road since early October.

Jolley said: “I thought it was a really hard-fought game. Both teams had chances, but we scored a fantastic goal that I think was worthy of winning any game.

“Our lads then put their bodies on the line and came up with some important blocks to preserve our clean sheet and clinch the points.

“We weren’t fluent and brilliant with the ball, but we really dug in and, particularly away from home, it was a really good performance.

“When you come to Port Vale they are going to put balls into the box. They have (Scott) Quigley and (Tom) Pope up there and they’re always going to be a threat.

“We had to stand up to that. We had some pockets of play, but not lots in the first half. I thought we had more play in the second half.

“As well as the goal, we had some other scenarios where we could have got another.”

Vale manager Neil Aspin said: “Of course we should have got more out of the game. We had more shots, more corners and we had more possession.

“We did everything but score, and then we were done by a goal that was a great strike. It bobbled up for him just at the right moment.

“I think everything went against us today, so there was disappointment for us. But I can’t fault the efforts of our players.

“In the second half, they did everything they could to try and score. If we had got that first goal then I think we would have won the game.

“We had no luck in front of goal and that was disappointing.

“I can’t change my philosophy. If players give their all and work as hard as they can, then I can’t then criticise them after the game.”

Chances were few and far between in the first half, with Luke Hannant dragging wide for Vale.

Upon the restart, home goalkeeper Scott Brown raced off his line to deny Thomas, but the Grimsby frontman eventually had his revenge – cutting inside from the left and firing an unstoppable winner into the top corner.

Vale had opportunities to equalise, but in-form Grimsby held firm amid late pressure.