Sunday 29 August 2010

Grimsby Town

The concluding day of the FA's under 17 international tournament sees Grimsby Town's Blundell Park the host venue.


The ground is actually situated in neighbouring Cleethorpes and enjoys stunning views over the Humber estuary, but it is a very exposed location on what is an unseasonally windy day.


The teams competing today are Australia and Turkey.


The wind is clearly going to affect the game, and although there are some chances at each end, there are no goals at the interval.


In the second half Turkey adept well to playing against the elements, and they take a 57th minute lead, Beykan Şimşek's shot from a Seçkin Doğan cross beating Australian keeper Paul Izzo and just evading Hayden Morton's attempts to clear.

The conditions at times in the second half were abysmal with some squally showers driven in by the wind.


It is 2-0 after 65 minutes, Recep Niyaz getting in behind the Australian defence to finish confidently, and the same player wins a penalty a few minutes later after being pulled down by Connor Chapman, but his spot kick is saved by Paul Izzo.

A ship braves the choppy conditions above Blundell Park's main stand, one of the oldest stands on any English football ground.


Despite a couple more near misses 2-0 is the final outcome, leaving Turkey to reflect on a very satisfactory return of two wins and a draw from their three games, although England's victory over Portugal sees the hosts win the tournament on goal difference.