Football Results: Southampton 1-2 Grimsby

Posted at: March 02, 2023

Gavan Hoolahan scored a brace from the penalty spot to help Grimsby produce one of the narrow football results of the weekend in the FA Cup. Gavan Holohan converted two penalties on either side of halftime to give Grimsby a surprising two-goal lead after Lyanco and Duje Caleta-Car both conceded penalties. Caleta-Car equalized from a corner, and replacement Theo Walcott’s equalizer was ruled off by VAR in the final 10 minutes. Grimsby has now become the first club in FA Cup history to remove five opponents from a higher tier than them in a single season, and they will play another top-flight opponent on the south coast in round six, having been drawn against Brighton.

Grimsby Town landed on the south coast hoping to reach the final eight of the FA Cup for the first time since 1939, backed by over 4,200 rowdy supporters waving inflatable fish. The Mariners faced a Southampton side that had nine changes from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds and has more home wins in the cup than in the league this season. Saints dominated possession but barely threatened as they attempted to excite a tiny and muted home crowd. Sekou Mara’s 18th-minute finish against creator Moussa Djenepo was disallowed for offside, and he later scuffed a poor shot at Town goalkeeper Max Crocombe, while Mislav Orsic fired just wide and Carlos Alcaraz fluffed a diving header attempt.

A mostly unremarkable first half of few chances erupted just before halftime as Grimsby took advantage of a delayed VAR probe to go ahead after Saints defender Lyanco strangely handled Joshua Emmanuel’s cross as he misjudged a header under little pressure. Referee Thomas Bramall was watching replays on the pitchside monitor when Holohan calmly stepped up to send Alex McCarthy the wrong way from the spot and cause mayhem among the traveling masses. Saints manager Ruben Selles would have been keen for a speedy response from his squad, but a comical moment of petulance soon undercut his half-time team talk.

Caleta-Car foolishly slapped Danilo Orsi on the back inside the 18-yard box after putting out the fire, forcing match official Bramall to point to the spot for the second time. Irishman Holohan took charge once more, calmly delivering a rising attempt past McCarthy’s hands. Selles, a Spaniard, responded to the precarious situation by bringing in captain James Ward-Prowse and Samuel Edozie from the bench. Ward-Prowse sparked hopes of a comeback by sending an appealing in-swinging corner for the unmarked Caleta-Car to make amends for his previous blunder by volleying home unnoticed.

Saints rushed forward in search of an equalizer and were almost caught off guard as John McAtee burst clear from halfway before overrunning the ball at the key moment. Extra time was on the cards when Walcott whirled to score after a fast Ward-Prowse free-kick into the box. But, Paul Hurst’s men were granted a break from Stockley Park, allowing the rowdy away end to enjoy a spectacular evening out ahead of a 240-mile journey home, while Saints were jeered off in shame as emphasis returned to their battle for survival.

“They are entitled to greater celebrations than they will receive. A large portion of the group relished the experience of gaining promotion and returning to the league. They had a good time in the locker room. Glancing around at a few of their features, I could tell they were in shock and presumably fatigued as well,” Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst said. “But, there were a few songs and some music. I’m just happy for them. It’s a memory for them, the owners, and the fans, and we’ll go down in history for the way we went to the quarter-finals.”

“I am quite disappointed with the performance and the outcome,” Southampton head coach Ruben Selles said. “It’s just difficult when you give up penalties like that. It was insufficient for us. Both punishments were really aggravating. That should not be allowed to happen.”

Leicester will play Southampton in the Premier League at 5.30 p.m. On Saturday, Grimsby Town will play Carlisle United in Sky Bet League Two at 3 p.m.