League Two: Notts County thrash Grimsby
Notts County 4 - 1 Grimsby Town
Dan Crowley was the star of the show as Notts County secured their first League Two win of the season as they thrashed Grimsby.
The Magpies captain delivered a perfectly placed cross, allowing Alassana Jatta to score his third goal in as many games, giving the home side an early lead. Crowley then slipped into the box unnoticed to double the advantage.
Jodi Jones added to the tally with a beautifully chipped goal, but Grimsby pulled one back through Harvey Rodgers, who found the far corner.
In the second half, Crowley’s deflected shot sealed the victory, as Notts County climbed to fourth place in the early League Two table, while Grimsby dropped to 16th.
The tone of the evening was set early on when Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright made a superb reaction save, denying Crowley’s low shot from opening the scoring.
Last season, these two teams treated their fans to 15 goals across their League Two encounters, so it was probably inevitable that the net would soon shake often in this match.
Notts County wasted no time. Before Grimsby could settle, the hosts' captain whipped in a dangerous cross, and Alassana Jatta needed only the slightest touch to steer it home.
Grimsby nearly levelled moments later, but Magpies goalkeeper Alex Bass reacted swiftly, using his foot to block Charles Vernam’s powerful effort.
EFL: 2024/2025 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Dan Crowley, in fine form, then added to the scoreline. Controlling the ball on his chest, he fired it into the far corner, though there was a hint of controversy with suggestions of a handball as he tried to cushion Jodi Jones’ delivery.
Jones himself then sent in a floating ball from the right, which sailed over the goalkeeper and crashed in off the post. Only the winger would know if he intended it as a shot.
58 - GOAL! Crowley takes the ball in his stride, gets his shot away and benefits from a big deflection to send the ball looping over Wright and into the net!
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) August 22, 2024
⚫️ #Notts 4-1 Grimsby 🟡 https://t.co/mIaHpCsbCj
Just before half-time, Harvey Rodgers neatly finished to pull one back for Grimsby. But Crowley had the final say in a quieter second half, as his shot deflected off Mariners defender Cameron McJannet and spun into the net.
