With Grimsby taking the long trip down to Barnet and their supporters’ team having a pre-arranged match with QPR, the Internet Mariners headed to South Yorkshire for the second time in a month to face the Inter Blades of Sheffield United.

For the first time this season, “winter” appeared to have kicked in with a fierce, biting wind, which made football difficult. Another first for the Mariners is that they had the chance to play in their new kit, kindly sponsored by the Grimsby Institute.

The game kicked off with the Mariners facing into the wind and having to cope with playing up the slope. The Mariners struggled to cope for the first twenty minutes with the elements and a strong, ball playing Inter Blades side and it really was a “backs to the wall” effort to keep the Blades at bay. Only some excellent last-ditch defending and some fine handling by keeper Grant Johnson kept the score at 0-0. Unfortunately for the Mariners they couldn’t keep the Blades at bay for the whole of the half and it was after a through ball by the Blades midfield and a failure to clear their lines by the Mariners defence, that Sheffield managed to score. The Blades striker turned on the ball in the penalty box and slotted it easily into the corner past the Mariners keeper. The remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair with the Blades trying to make the most of the elements and the Mariners defence holding out. One moment of quality going forward by the Mariners led to a shot by Mariners midfielder Paul Holmes, however the on-rushing Blades keeper blocked his shot. 1-0 to the Blades at half time, with the Mariners happy to have the elements in their favour for the second half.

The second half saw the Mariners kicking down the slope, but consciously trying not to play a long ball game. The game, however, was much more of a football match with both sides trying to keep the ball on the ground. The wind appeared to have dropped a little, but unfortunately for the Mariners they couldn’t make the most of the elements and the slope and some sound defending by the Blades meant the Mariners weren’t getting any clear cut chances. Indeed it was the Blades who were pressing forward and the Mariners defence was again on the back foot and making last ditch challenges. It was no surprise when the Blades made it 2-0 with a strong header from a corner, however the Mariners weren’t helped when midfielder Bob Graves slipped when challenging for the ball. Unfortunately matters went from bad to worse for the Mariners a few minutes later when the Blades struck for a third time with a well taken shot from twenty yards out, which flew into the top corner. The Mariners were now looking a little jaded and although they pressed forward looking for a consolation goal, which they probably deserved for their hard work, the Blades defence held out. The final score was 3-0 to the Blades, which was a score line that on reflection, their play deserved.

The game was played in a good spirit and although the tackles were strong from both sides, there was the customary handshakes all round after the final whistle. Credit must go to the referee for his handling of the game and his fairness to both sides. Although this was the Mariners heaviest defeat of the season and their second in South Yorkshire all three defeats this season have been against teams in the top 10 of the IFA league, so there is no disgrace in that.

The Mariners have been assured that the Inter Blades will return the fixture in the new year and the Mariners, as always, will look forward to hosting them.