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20 January 2025

Miss Guest Diary writes: In recent years the game at Blundell Park on a Saturday afternoon has frequently been the MacGuffin in the story of the day. For those who aren't film buffs, the MacGuffin is a plot device that sets the story in motion or drives the characters without itself being important. Think the ark in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the briefcase retrieved by Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction, or the stolen papers/microfilm/memory stick in any number of spy films. The match is my reason to travel to Cleethorpes but with Town's home form erratic and the atmosphere at the ground frequently non-existent, the enjoyable events of the day have been lunch at a favourite café, visits to relatives or dinner with friends. Not so on Saturday.

The omens were good when Guest Diary announced he had baked a batch of his special sausage rolls, the same ones which had sustained the CA crew on the back row of the Pontoon on many a bleak occasion during the early 2000s. It's just a pity he couldn't be there to share them with us in person. Then Svanthorsson almost scored in the first minute. A pity he missed, but it set the tone for a lively start to the game which culminated in Davies’s goal after 17 minutes. Unfortunately Town sat back a bit and conceded before half time but, in the event, it didn't seem to matter that much.

Due to some of the worst refereeing decisions I've ever seen, the crowd were thoroughly riled for most of the second half, creating a brilliant atmosphere. A wall of noise which galvanised the players into some heroic efforts both in defence and attack – a bit better finishing could have seen Town score a couple more. They didn't but somehow that didn't detract from the sheer enjoyment of the afternoon. As Mr B remarked on our way out of the ground – that draw was more exhilarating than some of the victories we've seen this season.

The only sour note from the afternoon came before kick off during the tribute to fallen Mariners when the Chesterfield fans sang and chanted non-stop, seemingly egged on by their manager applauding them. I saw it suggested on social media that the fans in the Osmond meant no disrespect and had no idea a tribute was taking place. Their club also issued a statement to that effect. Do I buy that...maybe. But what did they think was going on with a piper in the centre circle and people on the other three sides of the ground standing up to solemnly applaud for several minutes? The tribute itself was moving and a reminder of how much being part of the Mariners family means to people.

On to tonight and the rescheduled FA Youth Cup game against Tottenham taking place at Blundell Park, kick-off at 7pm. See you there. Should the lads win tonight their fifth round game would be away to Watford. As I lived in there for nearly 25 years and still have friends in Hertfordshire, if that game happens the temptation to attend would be strong. 

Up the (Young) Mariners!