By Match report: Town claim victory over Burton in the FA Cup
Grimsby Town secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a victory over Burton Albion at Blundell Park this evening.
Lewis Richardson’s second-half goal proved enough to ensure the Mariners saw off yet another League One side in the competition this season.
Paul Hurst was forced into making one change from the side that beat Stockport County on New Year’s Day, with Brendan Kiernan coming in to replace captain Luke Waterfall.
That led to a change in formation, as Town shifted to a back four and Kiernan started the game leading the line in front of John McAtee.
Burton started the game on the front foot, but the Mariners had the first opportunity when Kieran Green couldn’t quite nod Otis Khan’s free-kick on target.
The visitors largely dominated the ball in the early stages and a deep cross into the box from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson almost caught out Max Crocombe, who just managed to backpedal and tip it over the bar on 12 minutes.
A couple of minutes later, Abdul Oshilaja will have been disappointed to see his shot be comfortably saved by the Town keeper after finding himself in plenty of space in a central position just outside the box.
Although Albion continued to dominate the possession – racking up 65% of the play in the first half an hour – neither side were able to really test either keeper.
Khan then had the Mariners’ first shot on target on 31 minutes, as he cut inside and unleashed a low effort that Jordan Amissah collected comfortably at his near post.
Town’s best opportunity came six minutes before the break when Michee Efete stretched out a leg to get on the end of McAtee’s teasing ball in and it just went over the bar.
The hosts gained a bit more of a foothold on the game towards the end of the half, but the sides went in at half-time level with both defences largely on top.
With the rain lashing down and the pitch cutting up, both sides emerged from the break showing more intent to get the ball forwards, with Gavan Holohan’s fierce half-volley being well blocked before it could trouble the keeper.
A neat ball in behind 10 minutes into the half saw McAtee beat the offside trap, but after checking back inside, he slipped as he went to pull the trigger and the ball rolled through tamely to Amissah.
Kiernan then cut inside off the right, opened up some space for himself and, once again, an effort lacking any real conviction trickled through to the keeper.
The forward had an excellent chance to put his side ahead with just over 20 minutes left to play after Khan’s through ball found him on the left of the box, but he skewed his low shot just wide of the far post.
Following some increased pressure, Town went ahead on 75 minutes through substitute Richardson, who the ball ricocheted off into the net following Clifton’s fierce drive towards goal.
A mazy run down the left-hand side and into the box from Holohan resulted in McAtee finding some space and hitting a low shot at goal that was well saved by Amissah.
The Mariners defended the lead superbly towards the end of the game to secure their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
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