Rebels hold Mariners to draw in FA Cup First Round

Slough Town

Slough Town

1
Davies (28)
Grimsby Town

Grimsby Town

1
Rose (75)
FA Cup Attendance: 2205 Scott Davies
Despite a wonderful first-half strike from manager Scott Davies, the Rebels were held to a 1-1 draw against last season’s FA Cup quarter-finalists, Grimsby Town, writes Freddie Gatrell.

In a game of two halves, the Rebels will feel hard done by to concede a late equaliser in what was the League Two side’s only meaningful spell of attacking pressure in the tie.

The first half started in a comfortable manner for the Rebels, with the Lincolnshire-based outfit looking unthreatening and uncomfortable on the artificial surface. In what was a sell-out crowd of 2,205 at Arbour Park, Slough looked the more likely of the two sides to find the opener.

Dan Bayliss struck a powerful effort which was blocked by Grimsby captain Danny Rose. Slough kept the attack alive and Leon Chambers-Parillon crossed in from the right for George Alexander to head powerfully at goal, only to see the ball well tipped over by Harvey Cartwright in the 20th minute.

Only eight minutes later, a clumsy foul just outside the Grimsby Town box left Scott Davies staring down the Mariners' goal from a favourable dead-ball situation. He stepped up with a powerful curling effort, which comfortably beat Cartwright in goal, leaving Arbour Park in raptures.

The remainder of the first half was well controlled by Slough, with Alexander unfortunate to see another headed effort rebound off the post - this time after a neat passage of play which resulted in Tyrese Dyce putting in a dangerous cross from the left - and Scott Davies' side was deserving of their 1-0 lead going into the dressing rooms at half-time.

The second half continued in a similar fashion to the first, with Grimsby looking off-colour. Despite this, Slough began to look tired and afforded their opposition more time on the ball. A curling free kick from Jamie Andrews in the 64th minute narrowly avoided finding the back of Rohan Luthra’s net, with the ball cannoning off the top of the crossbar.

This mounting pressure from the visitors eventually resulted in an equalising goal for the Mariners, with striker Danny Rose tucking away a simple finish in the six yard box from a low, driven cross by Michee Efete to restore parity 15 minutes from time.

Neither side was able to find a winning goal in the final minutes of the match, and the Rebels will settle for an away replay at Brundell Park on Tuesday, 14th November, where Scott Davies' men will be hopeful they have what it takes to keep their FA Cup dream alive.

Image: George Beck

Grimsby Town Lineup

Harvey Cartwright, Michee Efete (Toby Mullarkey 86), Harvey Rodgers, Niall Maher, Danny Amos (Anthony Glennon 69), Harry Clifton (Alex Hunt 81), Jamie Andrews, Kamil Conteh (Kieran Green 45), Donovan Wilson, Danny Rose (c), Abo Eisa (Rekeil Pyke 45). Unused Substitutes: Jake Eastwood, Luke Waterfall, Otis Khan, Arthur Gnahoua.

Rebels

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