Grimsby Town Foundation’s boys scholarship team, in partnership with Franklin College, progressed to the final of the EFL CEFA National U19s Cup yesterday afternoon with a 3-2 win over Derby County.
The Shadow Scholarship squad approached the semi-final of the competition with the ambition of going one step further this year after suffering heartbreak to Swindon at the same stage last season.
Just like in the quarters, Grimsby were slow out the blocks, but this time they were punished. A series of early corners paid dividends and Derby took the lead with a well-structured set piece tapped in at the far post.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, taking momentum from their early goal and Flynn had to be alert, diving to his right to make a save from Carter who hit a shot well from 20 yards out.
Grimsby sparked into life around 25 minutes, with Kit-Bushell up top for the Mariners almost getting on the end of Allerton’s through-ball, but the Derby centre-half made a well-timed tackle to clear the opportunity.
Just after the half-hour mark came the first bit of neat play for the hosts after what had been an extremely tense middle of the park battle for large periods. Allerton picked up the ball and sprayed it out to Baldwin on the wing, his cross evaded everyone, but Ross kept it alive at the far post and pulled the ball back to Kit-Bushell who pivoted and fired the ball into the back of the net to level up the score.
Ten minutes later, Grimsby won a free-kick just outside the box. McSpadden curled the dead ball and it looked destined for the top corner, but the Derby keeper pulled off a miraculous save to keep it 1-1 heading into half-time.
The second-half played out in similar fashion to the majority of the first, a scrap in the middle of the park with limited chances at either end. However, there was a key incident in the 55th minute and after being shrugged off the ball by Allerton, a Derby midfielder kicked out, earning him a red card and Derby were a player down for the rest of the game.
Grimsby immediately took advantage of the extra man and a ball in behind from Mawer tempted the Derby keeper to come and sweep it up, however Kit-Bushell raced to the ball before him and had the easiest of tap-ins to give Grimsby the lead.
Some might have thought this tie was over, but the Rams weren’t going to go down without a fight. Just 7 minutes later the ball was lost by Grimsby in the middle of the park and Carter was played in 1v1 with Flynn. The winger made no mistake and slotted home to bring the score level again with about 20 minutes to play.
The tie looked like it was heading for penalties, but as the clock ticked into injury time Grimsby forced a corner. Davey whipped it into the far post and Baines did wonderfully well to head it back across goal and Mawer was there to nod home and spark chaotic celebrations; the full-time whistle sounding not long after.
Grimsby Town Foundation will face Colchester United in the EFL CEFA U19 National Cup final at Stoke City’s Bet365 stadium in May.
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