Jolley and Curle settle for windswept draw

Posted Sunday, March 17, 2019 by PA

Both managers bemoaned the conditions after Grimsby and Northampton played out a dour goalless draw at Blundell Park.

Neither side were able to get to grips with the strong winds throughout the game at Blundell Park, with both goalkeepers having a quiet afternoon.

Grimsby’s best chances came from efforts from distance, while Northampton perhaps came closest when Aaron Pierre shot wide during the final minutes of the clash.

For the hosts though, the result brings to an end a run of three straight defeats, and manager Michael Jolley is now looking ahead after their first point in March.

“The first thing to say is the conditions made the game extremely difficult for both teams,” Jolley said.

“It’s not an excuse, but I think it was a fairly poor spectacle overall and I think the conditions played a big part in that.

“The second part of that is Northampton obviously have a particular style of play, and if there was ever a day that you don’t want to play a team that plays in that way, it’s probably when the conditions are like that.

“It made it difficult to get any real rhythm or flow to our game, although there were pockets of play from us in the first half.

“After three games where we haven’t picked up points, to get a clean sheet, to deal with all the balls that were thrown into our box and to produce some good play in the first half I think is something to build on.”

For Northampton, a run of four straight wins comes to an end but they remain eight unbeaten and within six points of the play-off places as they look to make a late charge for the top seven.

For their boss Keith Curle, a point in testing conditions was greeted as a sign of progress.

“There wasn’t a lot of quality, but then again I think it’s a good sign of how far we’ve come when you walk into the changing room and we’re disappointed to only pick up a point away from home with a clean sheet,” Curle said.

“It was difficult trying to make any sort of judgement, trying to keep the ball, and trying to put the ball into areas and keep it alive.

“I think neither team were able to have any fluidity in their play but there was plenty of honest endeavour, plenty of willingness in challenges, application and understanding of what was required as a minimum to give us a platform to build from.

“It shows that when you’ve got those things in place, you’re able to grind it out and be horrible to play against. Overall, it was a fantastic battling performance away from home.”