Match Report by David Elliott at Blundell Park
GRIMSBY Town had to settle for an opening day draw against Notts County at Blundell Park.
The Mariners had taken an early lead in an end-to-end contest through Ryan Bennett's 12th minute header but they were pegged back by Neil MacKenzie's long range effort after 29 minutes.
Town dominated for long periods but in the end, couldn't force a breakthrough against Steve Thompson's Magpies.
Alan Buckley sprung a surprise with his team selection, naming Isaiah Rankin as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.Phil Barnes started in goal, behind an unchanged back four of Nick Fenton, Justin Whittle, Ryan Bennett and Tom Newey. Bennett played at right back after Fenton had done so in the match against Scunthorpe last week.
The fit-again Paul Bolland returned in the centre of the park after missing the friendly draw with the Iron. Danny Boshell and James Hunt completed the central trio, with Peter Till starting on the right and Ciaran Toner lining up on the left.
The selections of Gary Jones, Danny North and Peter Bore as substitutes meant the Mariners would have plenty of attacking options on the bench, as well as Jamie Clarke and Gary Montgomery.
Notts County boss Steve Thompson gave debuts to four of his nine summer signings, with left back Paul Mayo, midfielder Richard Butcher, defender Lee Cannoville and Neil MacKenzie all making their first starts for the Magpies.
A further three of the new recruits were handed places on the bench, while ex-Mariner Andy Parkinson started alongside former Town loanee Jason Lee in attack.Mike Edwards, another former Grimsby favourite, missed out after breaking his leg in pre season.
The referee, Mike Thorpe, was already known to Town fans after he sent off Gary Jones at Peterborough last season.
Town kicked off on an immaculate playing surface towards an Osmond Stand holding a large travelling support of around 1,500 but it was the visitors who were immediately on the attack, winning a corner in the first two minutes.Mayo's inswinging kick was cleared by Till.
Notts won a free kick 25 yards out when Fenton fouled Lee on 3 minutes and this time it was MacKenzie's kick that was cleared for another corner by Whittle.
Grimsby then won a free kick when Danny Boshell was fouled on the right side and Newey shot high and wide into the away support from 25 yards in what was Town's first chance.
Soon afterwards, good pressure from Rankin forced County keeper Kevin Pilkington to slice his clearance into the Main Stand.
It wasn't long before Grimsby opened the scoring against the run of play.Town won another free kick, this time on the left side on 12 minutes.Ciaran Toner hit a superb ball into the six yard box, which was met by the head of RYAN BENNETT to nod past Pilkington for his first goal for Town.
After the goal, Town began to see much more of the ball and played some neat football in midfield.
The Mariners could have stretched their lead after 22 minutes, when Paul Bolland intercepted a ball and got to the by-line before pulling it back.It would have been a tap-in for any Town player but none could get near and the danger was eventually cleared.
Town were beginning to stamp their authority on the game but it was the visitors who grabbed the next goal.NEIL MacKENZIE picked the ball up in midfield before moving forward and unleashing a shot from 25 yards which beat the dive of Phil Barnes.It was a huge blow to a Town side that had gained in confidence throughout the opening quarter of the game.
County were on the front foot again though and they won a free kick on the right side of the penalty area on 32 minutes.This time Mayo's ball in didn't trouble the Mariners defence.
The next action was when Rankin was pushed halfway inside the opposition half.Ciaran Toner's free kick was punched clear of danger by keeper Pilkington.
Toner himself was unlucky not to restore Town's lead on 38 minutes.Rankin, who had impressed so far in his role as the lone striker, played a neat lay-off to the Northern Ireland international, whose 20 yard drive flew just wide.
One minute of time was added on before referee Thorpe brought an entertaining first half to an end.Town probably shaded a fairly even opening 45 minutes, with Isaiah Rankin holding up play well in attack, supported by Ciaran Toner and Paul Bolland.Ryan Bennett also impressed at right back but Town would have been disappointed to concede, with Barnes possibly feeling he might have done better with MacKenzie's long range shot.
No changes were made at the start of the second half, meaning Town stuck with the 4-5-1 formation.And the Mariners almost made the perfect start when Rankin picked up on a loose ball inside the box.He couldn't get a shot away though and the danger was cleared.
County had their chance to go ahead five minutes later, when they won a corner on the left.Town cleared it but only for a throw.From it, Jason Lee chested down to Richard Butcher, whose 25 yard volley was acrobatically saved by Barnes.
Town had a corner of their own on 52 minutes after good play by Till and Hunt.Till's kick was cleared by Dudfield for a throw, which went through to Pilkington.
Soon afterwards came the first Town substitution.Danny North came on to replace Isaiah Rankin, who had held the ball up well but endured a number of offside decisions.
County won a free kick for a foul by Paul Bolland on 56 minutes in the same area as Town had profited from for their goal.This time, MacKenzie's kick was cleared and Town counter-attacked.North had been in a good position on the left but Newey instead chose to pick out Peter Till on the right.The ex-Birmingham man was crowded out by defenders and the ball ran for a goal kick.
Nick Fenton had to receive treatment after being caught by Jason Lee in the air.The big striker was given a warning by the referee, who chose to keep the yellow card in his pocket.
Notts then made their first change, with Hector Sam replacing Lawrie Dudfield up front.
Alan Buckley replied five minutes later by making his second change.Gary Jones was introduced in place of James Hunt as the Mariners reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.
Jason Lee became the first player to be cautioned after his challenge on Justin Whittle was deemed to be too high.
Town's next move saw Danny North put through by Danny Boshell.The youngster's pace took him into the box before his shot was saved by Pilkington.
The Mariners were dominating by now and after the arrival of Jones, had more options in attack.Ciaran Toner narrowly failed to connect with a Peter Till cross on 72 minutes, while Paul Bolland had a shot cleared following a corner soon afterwards.
The visitors had their chances too though, and Richard Butcher in particular will be disappointed he didn't do better when unmarked in the Town box.His heavy first touch allowed the Mariners defence to recover and eventually clear.
By now, the play was moving from end to end with both sides attacking in search of a winning goal.Ciaran Toner turned in the box before hitting a left-footed shot which was saved by Pilkington.
Both managers made changes on 78 minutes, with Town bringing on Peter Bore for Peter Till and County boss Steve Thompson swapping Butcher for Jay Smith and the quiet Parkinson for Spencer Weir-Daley, a summer signing from neighbours Nottingham Forest.
It was the Magpies who had the next chance, when Hector Sam was played in by Jason Lee.Sam cut into the box but his shot was easily gathered by Barnes.
The visitors then earned two corners in quick succession in front of their own fans.Mayo's first kick was cleared, while he ran across the field to take a throw in after the second.The Town defence held firm again though, clearing upfield towards Danny North.
County were finishing the stronger of the two sides and they got a free kick after a foul by Boshell at the right side of the box.Again, the Mariners cleared.
The pressure was kept up though, with yet another corner on 85 minutes.This time, Lee's hooked shot was claimed by Barnes.
Town had a chance of their own on 87 minutes after a through ball from Jones to North.The youngster couldn't finish though after his touch let him down.
In a frenetic last five minutes, County had a penalty appeal turned down when Lee appeared to be pulled down in the box.Referee Thorpe waved the claims away though.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Town should probably have scored what would have been a winning goal.Ryan Bennett's cross was met by Gary Jones but his header went just wide to the left of Pilkington's goal.
Jones then found himself in the box again, but this time squared to Danny North, whose effort was cleared for a corner.The Mariners couldn't make anything of it and ultimately had to be content with a point.
