The Mariners welcomed 2nd in the League Ilkeston Town having come away from the reverse fixture with a point hoping to repeat the feat. Grimsby set up with 2 changes from their last outing an extra time win in the quarter final of the cup curtesy of two DeJonge piledrivers with Lily Jacklin coming in for the unavailable Ellie Wilson and Darcie Proud starting in place of Rosie Barker.

Line up of Chloe Grey, Darcie Proud, Liv Kershaw, Harriet Dalton, Leah Wray, Danielle Brighton © Eden Pedersen, Pariss Welsh, Alisha DeJonge, Beth Wharton, Lily Jacklin. Hermione Clapham, Rosie Barker and Jade Appels made up the Grimsby bench.

The Mariners started the fixture looking to take the game to the team sitting 12 points and 6 places above them in the league with the first shot in anger coming from the ever-lively DeJonge stinging the palms of the keeper with only 4 minutes gone. Ilkeston where pressing high and Kershaw was having success with balls over the top of their high line. One such ball saw Lily Jacklin run free, her cut back found Wharton whose shot deflected wide for the first corner of the game. One was all they needed as Kershaw’s wicked delivery was met with an even better-timed run by DeJonge to lose her marker and rifle her header into the bottom corner, a well-deserved lead after a thrilling first 11 minutes.

A shocked Ilkeston seemed to spark in to action from this with a few challenges edging just inside the laws. Flashpoint arrived just infront of the dug outs with 25 minutes gone with Lily Jacklin squaring up her defender before moving the ball round her, the Ilkeston right back chose to drag the young striker and haul her down by her hair, Referee choosing to keep his cards in his pocket at this time and remind the Ilkeston bench of their conduct.

Ilkeston saw their equaliser come by some fortunate play, Corner from the right was headed clear by the imperious Wray with the return ball in evading everyone, landing directly at the corner takers feet on the right edge of the Mariners box, As Brighton and Wrey closed down the attacker her mishit shot flew high across the face of the goal and was headed home from close range. Both teams had chances towards the latter end of the half with Ilkeston firing wide 1 on 1 with Mariners Keeper Gray and DeJonge centimetres from finishing a delightful chip over the Ilkeston Keeper.

Both teams came out with Mariners changing personal in the back 4 around and Eden Pedersen nursing her quad injury replaced by Rosie Barker. Both teams keeping the tempo and pace of the game to an exhilarating level.

Rosie was very quickly made to know the ferociousness of the game receiving a high foot to the face in a 50/50 ariel challenge but again no card came before DeJonge saw yellow for a late tackle which given the scope of tackles that were being let go felt harsh on the home team. Mariners continued to look to the counter for their chances with Jacklin, Wharton and DeJonge all a whisker away but it was not to be for the Mariners who can feel hard done by with the battling performance they put up. A ball through was intercepted by Kershaw whose touch unfortunately took it into the path of a onrushing Ilkeston striker who was able to slot into the bottom corner past the hapless Gray.

Mariners pushed in the final 10 minutes for a deserved equaliser, Welsh was replaced by Appels as Grimsby changed to a 3-4-3 formation but this was not enough as the time slowly ticked away Ilkeston saw the game out without looking to score and secured a more than fortunate 3 points.

Starting line-up Chloe Gray, Darcie Proud, Harriet Dalton, Olivia Kershaw, Leah Wray, , Eden Pedersen, Danielle Brighton, Pariss Walch, , Beth Wharton, Lily Jacklin, Alisha DeJonge

Substitutes, Hermione Clapham, Jade Appels, Rosie Barker

Grimsby Town Women’s next fixture is at Away against Anstey Nomads Ladies in the on 10th February, Kick off 14:00 at Anstey Stadium, Leicester.

UTM