David Artell admitted his relief at seeing Jordan Davies score a stoppage-time free-kick to earn Grimsby a dramatic win over Cheltenham after the Mariners had surrendered a two-goal lead.
Goals from Wrexham loanee Davies and Charles Vernam had looked to have set Grimsby on their way to victory only for Cheltenham to hit back through goals from Luke Young and Matty Taylor.
But Grimsby would end up snatching a 3-2 win when Davies curled home a superb late free-kick.
Artell said: “I thought we were good value for the win in the end and had to show a lot of character. We showed again what we’re trying to do and then they changed shape which caused a few problems.
“Once we eventually got to grips with that we had the last spurt of the game and we scored in those five minutes. We’ve won our first home game of the season against a team that came down last season so it’s pleasing.
“It’s a relief when the last goal goes in – it was an excellent free-kick, [Vernam]’s goal was an excellent finish and Jordan Davies’ first was an excellent execution of what we’re trying to do. We’re disappointed with how the momentum shifted but the changes we made helped stop that and we showed a bit more quality in the end.”
It was heartbreak for Michael Flynn and his Cheltenham team, who had won their league opener in similar circumstances but were on the wrong end of the result this time having clawed their way back into the game in the second half.
The Robins boss said: “We did well to get back into the game and looked like the team that were going to win the game at that point and then they scored a free-kick which I can’t analyse right now having not seen it back.
“I don’t know whether the ball went over or around the wall but what I do know is that it wasn’t a free-kick because that is what the players have told me and I believe them. The substitutes came in and gave us some impetus because we were sloppy in possession in the first half and were not picking up enough second balls.
“We’ve lost the game yet there are positives and things to work on all the same. It’s frustrating when you lose in that fashion and have come from 2-0 down, but we’re not going to be too despondent because it is a tough place to come having had a long week.”
[(Strasbourg) Strength]: 1. RC Strasbourg Alsace started with a 1-0 away win over FC Metz in the last Ligue 1 game. Facing FC Nantes in this game, they are motivated to take 3 points.2. RC Strasbourg Alsace were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 games, showing fit form. They secured a 0-0 draw with Brondby IF in the last Conference League match.3. RC Strasbourg Alsace recorded 2 wins,...
[(Juventus FC) Strength]: 1. Juventus FC are undoubtedly motivated to start the new season with a home win in this game.2. Jonathan David scored first in the last warm-up match against Atalanta BC, helping the team secure a win.3. In the last two warm-up games, Juventus FC beat strong Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC, showing outstanding form.4. Juventus FC were unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw in...
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
[(Atalanta BC) Strength]: 1. This match is the first round of the new Serie A season. Atalanta BC, playing at home, will strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In a recent friendly match against Juventus FC, Lazar Samardzic scored a goal, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Atalanta BC have scored a total of 8 goals and conceded 11 ones in their la...
[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
[(Cagliari) Strength]: 1. Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A last season, taking 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a 5-point lead. In the first home match of the new season, they will face powerhouses ACF Fiorentina. The team are motivated to take home advantage to start with a win.[(Cagliari) Weakness]: 1. Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti will miss the first Serie A round due to his kn...
[(FC Lorient) Strength]: 1. FC Lorient returned to Ligue 1 this season as the champions of France Ligue 2, but lost their first game away from home. This time, they will strive to secure their first win of the season at home, and their desire to win is beyond doubt.2. FC Lorient have performed very strongly at home. Last season, in 17 home games in France Ligue 2, they achieved an impressive recor...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 6 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 7 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 8 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC
- 9 TIPS - Yokohama F. Marinos VS FC Machida Zelvia
- 10 TIPS - Hannover 96 VS FC Magdeburg