CARLING CUP RD 2
TUESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2005
GRIMSBY TOWN 1 (0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 (0)
Scorer:-
Kalala, 88
Referee: - Mr. G. Laws
Attendance:- 8,206
Teams:-
Grimsby (4-4-2):- Mildenhall; McDermott (Capt.), Whittle, R. Jones, Croft; Cohen (sub Barwick, 83), Bolland, Kalala, Parkinson; G. Jones (sub Gritton, 46), Reddy
Subs not used: - Ramdsen, Tewey, Toner
No bookings
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson; Stalteri, Naybet, King (Capt.), Lee; Jenas, Carrick (sub Davis, 66), Brown, Reid (sub Lennon, 61); Keane, Defoe
Subs not used: - Cerny; Kelly, Bunjevcevic
No bookings.
Having lingered for a day in Lincolnshire, whilst the dust settled in North London, and enjoying the National Holiday declared on Humberside (only joking), I learnt that Martin Jol, Ledley King and all “the lads” were “gutted” (like the fish they land at Grimsby, I suppose) and apologised to all the fans especially those of us who travelled to the Lincolnshire outpost last night over their embarrassing defeat at the hands of the League Two side. So that’s alright then, I suppose?
Well, no actually. The 8 British Isles based players that featured in the Spurs side could have warned Messrs Lee, Naybet and Stalteri of the tradition for giant-killing antics by lowly teams against so-called giants of the game. Whilst passing on such a warning, perhaps they could have heeded it for themselves. Culture is not enough against graft. What is needed is culture AND graft, but sadly Spurs were outshone in both departments by a Grimsby side at the top of their form, playing out of their skins, and thoroughly deserving this victory.
This was surely the most embarrassing Cup defeat of Spurs since that by Notts County in 1994, when Ossie Ardiles (and his “famous five”) were thrashed 3-0 by a side managed by one Russell Slade – current manager of Grimsby. Both sides play in black and white. County were relegated from the old Division One that season. I understand that this was also the first time that Spurs have exited the League Cup in the second round for 26 years. At least our victors then were Manchester United, yet to join this year’s competition, with several other Premiership teams.
Clearly, Martin Jol did not under-estimate his task last night, as he played the best team he had available to him, or did he? I say that because, it was not until Aaron Lennon replaced Andy Reid after an hour that Spurs started to look like a side that could win the game. Jenas had started on the right (at least at kick off) but then left the wing play to Stalteri, and was more often found in the middle, muddling things with Brown, who made some woeful passes. Surely, Jol needs to realise that genuine pace and traditional wing-play is vital at whatever level we play?
Spurs’ star-studded side was easily outshone by unfashionable names like John McDermott – making his 700th appearance for The “Mariners”, Gary Cohen (a Spurs schoolboy until he was 13 ), Andy Parkinson (who played against us for Tranmere four years ago), and strikers Gary Jones and Michael Reddy, both of whom gave Ledley and Naybet a hard time. Not to mention the hero scorer, of course - Jean-Paul KAMUDIMBA KALALA – signed from Nice this summer. I tell you no lie when I say that until Lennon came on, Grimsby always looked the more likely scorers.
My view of the game was somewhat limited, because at the back of the stand, where I was allocated a seat, I could not see beyond the nearest penalty area, when on my feet, and even at best could not see above a certain height. So, those of you who watched on the telly were luckier than me! Defoe curled an early free kick wide after a foul on Robbie Keane (who always seemed to be working harder than Defoe, and then Robbie Keane tested the keeper with a shot near the post. Paul Robinson had to make a great save from a close range header by Rob Jones, but the centre back had already been called offside.
Grimsby keeper Mildenhall had to save at the feet of Andy Reid, after a good ball by Defoe on 21 minutes, but then Grimsby got round Lee (although there looked to have been a foul on the full back) and tested the defence with a header from the cross. I have a note of Gary Jones having a chance in the Spurs area, when I saw him handle the ball before being waved away by the referee. It seems that the home side were claiming a penalty, and Ledley King was claiming the handball. The danger was cleared, but apparently TV judges have said that it looked like a Grimsby penalty. I swear I saw the striker control the ball with his hand, but it’s all academic now, isn’t it?
Jenas hooked a free kick, and then one of Brown’s mis-placed passes allowed a break back by Parkinson on the left. His shot was parried by Robinson, then cleared for a corner. In first half stoppage time, Reid dollied a shot to the keeper, and Paul Robinson had to save again from Parkinson. Gary Jones was replaced by Martin Gritton, and at least Spurs started to dominate possession, only after Reddy had chipped Robinson, but put the ball wide. Carrick and Defoe provided a chance for Keane which was blocked, and then a Carrick threaded ball reached Defoe on the left side of the box, hitting a shot across the goal but wide. Reid’s last contribution was to curl a free kick over the target. Carrick had to be replaced before long too, and he will be out for two weeks with an ankle injury.
Time was slipping by, and much as Lennon got the ball into the middle, Spurs were failing to turn those balls into chances. Defoe had a driven cross low in front of goal, which passed too far in front of Robbie, and then two minutes before time came the killer goal. Stalteri had conceded the corner, which was only half headed clear by Sean Davis. Kalala was lurking unmarked 25 yards out, and unleashed an unstoppable shot that had a little curve in it as well, away from Paul Robinson who stood no chance to save. There was one last chance for Keane, saved by Mildenhall, but the game was up for Spurs, and Grimsby celebrated one of their biggest nights in their history.
Those of us not cosseted from the real world by luxury travel back to London slunk away from an ecstatic Blundell Park for the long and miserable haul home.
I truly commend Grimsby and their fans, who deserve their night of glory, and I wish them a successful season.
Spurs fans can look on the bright side. You can now clear a few mid-week dates from your diaries, and rest safe in the knowledge that you will not have to travel to the Millennium Stadium again. All that’s left for us is the first FA Cup Final in the new Wembley Stadium. Am I making you feel better? No? I thought not.
· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
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