MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0 GRIMSBY TOWN 0

DATE: Saturday 28th November 2009 | COMPETITION: Coca-Cola League Two | VENUE: Moss Rose | ATT: 1409

The woodwork twice denied Neil Woods’ Grimsby Town side the three points from

their trip to Macclesfield Town in late-November.

Michael Coulson and Adam Proudlock were the unlucky parties as the Mariners created

a host of chances in Cheshire.

There was a start for new loan signing Ben Wright from Peterborough and he was

involved early on as Woods’ side started on the front foot. Te big striker turned neatly

on the left and crossed for Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, who unfortunately missed his kick.

The Ivorian then bundled the ball home at the second attempt from close range but, in

doing so, had fouled a Silkmen defender.

The visitors were spraying the ball around the park well and Michael Leary and Peter

Sweeney both tested home stopper Jonathan Brain with long-range drives.

The Silkmen gradually worked their way into the game though and were the first side to

hit the woodwork when Colin Daniel’s left-foot free kick cannoned off the post from 25

yards midway through the half.

They came even closer minutes later when the dangerous Hamza Bencherif headed a

corner goalwards, only for Town ‘keeper Nick Colgan to stop the effort right on his

goal-line.

It was then the Mariners’ turn to rue their luck as Coulson cut in from the left and

hammered a 30-yard drive against the bar; the ball then looping up and into the grateful

arms on Brain.

Woods’ side started the second half brightly as well and had a golden opportunity to

take the lead just before the hour marked. Damien McCrory nicked the ball off Shaun

Brisley and played in Akpa Akpro. The front man only had Brain to beat but only

succeeded in poking his effort wide of the far post.

Both teams had their chances in a frantic final quarter but it was the Mariners who came

closest to breaking the deadlock with nine minutes left on the clock. The Silkmen failed

to deal with a set piece and the ball eventually dropped for substitute Proudlock, who

turned neatly but saw his shot come back off the post.