Grimsby Town and Newport County will have to play again for a place in the second round of the FA Cup following a draw at Blundell Park. It is a result neither team can complain about, following a tie largely devoid of quality.

In the previous season, both teams enjoyed mini cup runs, with Newport County succumbing to Manchester City in the 5th round, and Grimsby losing away to Premier League Crystal Palace.

D3D4 Football Podcast Ep107 – That’s Notts how you say it

Both teams started with strong line-ups in search of another cup run. Grimsby hadn’t played in 3 weeks- their previous two games postponed- and made 3 changes to the team that played Cambridge. Captain McKeown was replaced in goal by Russell, whilst Cook and Robson replaced the absent Hewitt and Hendrie.

Newport County also made 3 changes following their first home league defeat of the season against Salford City. Abrahams, Nurse and captain Labadie replaced former Mariner Amond, Dolan and Maloney.

It was a scrappy opening, with neither team able to gain control. Chances were at a premium, with Jamile Matt’s header for the away side the first notable attempt on goal. Soon after, Matt- a former Grimsby Town player- had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The deadlock was broken by the home team after centre back Waterfall met a Gibson cross, his header squeezing under the Newport stopper. The lead may have been undeserved, but the home team found themselves in the lead.

The game petered out to half time with no further chances.

Newport came out in the second half with a new-found momentum, as they sought an equaliser. Despite having much more ball than the hosts, they were still struggling to produce clear-cut opportunities.

It was the hosts who should have doubled their lead when Rose was played through, but his hesitation allowed the defence to recover, eventually firing wide of the target.

Newport upped the pressure half-way through the second half, and substitute Padraig Amond struck the inside of the post with a glancing header. The Irishman previously enjoyed a prolific spell with Grimsby, scoring 32 goals in all competitions as he helped them gain promotion from the conference.

It was no surprise then when Amond finally found the Newport equaliser from the spot. Grimsby captain Hessenthaler having tripped O’Brien in the box, the penalty was coolly dispatched.

The game continued with Newport searching for the winner but with neither team managing a further goal, Grimsby now face the daunting task of a replay at the County Ground, which has been an arena of giant killings in previous seasons.

words Tom Hallam-Gravells, Grimsby fan & writer