Stevenage Supporters Assoc vs Grimsby
5 - 2
19 August 2017 · IFA League<br>
Home league match played on 19 August 2017.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
5-2
vs Grimsby
Home league match
The SSAFC picked up their first win of the new campaign but had to work for it against a tough outfit in Grimsby.
The game was being played at a new venue at the Sir Frederic Osborn school in Welwyn due to the pitches in Stevenage being out of use.
The game started brightly with both sides having good spells on what was a hard game due to the ball holding up in the long grass, it was the SSAFC who had the first attempt and scored when high pressing up the field from Dunn got the ball and he slid in Swales who slotted home with the outside of the foot.
Grimsby had a good chance well saved by Main in goal before the second goal for the SSAFC came. Good play from the midfield got the ball back and found Swales who delightfully chipped into the path of Dutton who timed his run perfectly and smashed home into the far corner making it 2-0.
The SSAFC had chances to extend the lead when Swales missed a good chance whilst at the other end, Main made a good save at feet and the rebound was cleared off the line from Barker!
It was 3 just before half time when Lawson pressured and got the ball from the Grimsby defence who then found Pickett from 18 yards out who slid it into the path of Woolf who smashed it into the corner making it 3-0 at H/T
The wind was a real factor in the first half and nothing changed in the second when Grimsby got their first back with a low shot which Main just couldn't get a hand to making it 3-1.
The opposition had their tails up and a second came 10 minutes later with a ball over the top not being dealt with and their striker chipped the keeper making it 3-2. The SSAFC changed their shape to try and stop the onslaught which worked.
The SSAFC restored their 2 goal advantage when a corner came in from debutant Jack Dunn which found brother Sam Dunn who headed to the far post for Rowe to cushion for Lawson to tap in despite the ball looking to have nearly gone out of play, the Grimsby linesman said it was in.
The SSAFC wasted good chances with Dunn & Bell missing good chances and Pickett was unable to get the ball down before shooting, at the other end Main had to be strong to get a punch away before being clattered and a series of Grimsby corners ended with no end product.
The 5th came when a counter attack from Lawson on the right got space and found Pickett who squared it to Bell who slid it left to Swales who curled the ball into the top corner to make it 5-2 with minutes to go.
The scoreline was a tad harsh on the visitors but in the end, the SSAFC done enough to gain the win.