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  • Kick-off: 19:45
  • Venue: Blundell Park
  • Attendance: 1858
  • Referee: Bates, T

Live Commentary

90mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

90mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

90mins

Martin Butler is being taken off, Peter Bore has come on in his place.

84mins

Simon Heslop is being taken off, Jamie Clarke has come on in his place.

84mins

Grimsby are replacing Andy Taylor with Danny North.

82mins

Tranmere are replacing Ian Moore with Terry Gornell.

63mins

Tranmere are replacing Godwin Antwi with Luke Waterfall.

61mins

Charlie Barnett is replaced by Chris Greenacre.

54mins

Own goal, Ben Chorley has put it in his own net.

46mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.

45mins

The ref has blown his whistle for half time.

20mins

Goal!! Grimsby have scored with James Hunt putting it in the back of the net.

0mins

It's 7:45pm on Tuesday, August 12th, the match has kicked off.

Match Report

Tranmere Rovers must dread their Carling Cup trips across to the east coast as they followed up exits at the hands of Hull and Scunthorpe in recent seasons with another defeat to Grimsby.

In the end, Ronnie Moore's revamped side could have few complaints - striker Edrissa Sonko's third and final embarrassing miss summed up his night.

In a thoroughly entertaining tie, Grimsby rode their luck before a controlled, skilful and at times outstanding display saw them cruise through to round two.

The Carling Cup is a competition they have graced with good runs - but not in recent seasons.

But all this seemed a long way ahead when defender Andy Taylor and skipper Antony Kay both hit the woodwork either side of Grimsby's 20th minute opener.

That came when striker Martin Butler served up a chance for midfielder James Hunt, who motored into the box to loop a header past keeper John Achterberg.

The last time the sides met, Tranmere's 2-1 win condemned Grimsby to the bottom flight and they are still there five seasons later.

But Grimsby never fear teams from higher divisions on a cup night at Blundell Park.

On Saturday, Grimsby's new look line-up were stretched in a goalless draw with Rochdale, but Tranmere, who were beaten 3-1 in their League One opener at Swindon, were expected to provide even sterner opposition.

But manager Moore, such a fine finisher in his playing days, could not believe the chances his side squandered.

Defensively they were abject at times, but Grimsby's crucial second goal on 54 minutes was cruel on Tranmere.

Even so, much credit goes to midfielder Chris Llewellyn whose teasing cross was dispatched past his own keeper by defender Ben Chorley.

After that there was no way back for the boys from Birkenhead.

Grimsby Town

Tranmere Rovers

Corners

410

Fouls

115

Goal attempts

1021

Shots off target

19

Offsides

16

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