As the Mariners welcome Ebbsfleet United to Blundell Park in the FA Cup First Round, here’s a look back at a dramatic festive feast of goals, when the two sides met in the Conference back in 2011.
Grimsby Town 4–3 Ebbsfleet United
Blue Square Bet Premier – Saturday 17 December 2011 – Blundell Park – Attendance: 2,818
Grimsby Town survived a late scare to edge a seven-goal thriller against Ebbsfleet United at Blundell Park, with in-form striker Liam Hearn once again proving the difference. Goals continued to flow for the Mariners, as they raced into a 3–0 lead inside 13 astonishing minutes before being pegged back by two quick-fire goals, but Michael Coulson’s second-half strike ultimately sealed a vital three points for Paul Hurst and Rob Scott’s side.
It took just two minutes for Hearn to continue his remarkable scoring run. When Joe Howe’s wayward back pass fell short, the striker pounced, confidently slotting beyond Preston Edwards to give Town the perfect start.
The Mariners doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Coulson’s deep corner from the right was met powerfully at the back post by centre-half Will Antwi, whose header left Edwards rooted to the spot.
Blundell Park was rocking moments later when Town made it three. Luke McCarthy’s clever pass released Hearn, who coolly skipped past a defender before finishing neatly for his second of the afternoon – and his 15th goal of a sensational debut season.
Anthony Elding thought he had added a fourth almost immediately with a sublime 35-yard lob, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.
That reprieve jolted Ebbsfleet into life. On 25 minutes, Town keeper James McKeown’s attempted clearance struck Nathaniel Pinney and rebounded into the net to hand the visitors a lifeline. Just three minutes later, parity was almost restored as Yado Mambo stooped low to nod home a corner, punishing some slack defending from the Mariners.
After the break, Grimsby regained control with a superb team move four minutes in. Captain Craig Disley started the passage deep in his own half before Coulson combined brilliantly with Hearn and Elding down the right. Elding’s low cross was swept home by Coulson himself to restore daylight at 4–2.
Elding was denied again on 67 minutes when another tidy finish was ruled out for offside – his second chalked-off effort of the day. Substitute Andi Thanoj then almost made it five with a weaving run and fierce drive, only for Edwards to tip the effort away.
Ebbsfleet refused to lie down and set up a tense finale in the 89th minute when substitute Ricky Shakes surged down the right and lashed a shot across McKeown into the top corner. But the Mariners held firm through stoppage time to clinch their first win in four outings.
It was a breathless encounter that encapsulated the Mariners’ attacking flair and occasional defensive fragility. Hearn’s predatory instincts again stole the headlines, as Town continued their surge up the Blue Square Bet Premier table heading into Christmas.
Grimsby Town: McKeown; Wood, Townsend, Antwi, I’Anson; Coulson, Disley (Thanoj 69), Panther, McCarthy (Artus 69); Elding, Hearn. Subs not used: Silk, Pearson.
Ebbsfleet United: Edwards; Stone, Simpemba, Mambo, Howe; West, Marwa, Phipp (Barrett 72), Pinney (Shakes 59); Willock, Enver-Marum (Darvill 82). Subs not used: Welch, Herd.
Goals:
Grimsby – Hearn 2, 13; Antwi 11; Coulson 49
Ebbsfleet – Pinney 25; Mambo 28; Shakes 89
Star Man: Liam Hearn – clinical, tireless, and at the heart of everything good about Town’s attacking play.
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