‘A throwback’ – Wolves beat Grimsby in FA Cup mudbath

It was, undeniably, an “old school cup tie” – one which both managers agreed provided “a bit of a throwback”.

The pitch at Blundell Park was already a quagmire before kick-off between League Two Grimsby Town and Premier League Wolves, and rapidly deteriorated under relentless rainfall on the east coast.

The ball travelled unpredictably across the sodden surface. Players continued to slide for longer than expected. The pitch markings blurred in the mudbath.

It would be an understatement to suggest the conditions did not aid either team’s ambitions of playing attractive football.

But they did produce fascinating scenes reminiscent of a bygone era, encapsulating the essence and charm of the FA Cup’s history.

There would be no giant-killing here, however. Despite Grimsby’s best efforts to test the visitors’ resolve, top-flight strugglers Wolves squeezed into the fifth round by scoring from their only shot on target.

“It was a proper traditional old school cup tie,” Grimsby boss David Artell told TNT Sports.

“It was going to be a fine margins game and that’s how it was – we limited a Premier League team to one attempt on target and it’s gone in.

“One chance, one goal for them. It showed how well we played in terrible conditions.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards will take great encouragement from the gritty nature of his side’s victory as they put their league struggles aside to reach the competition’s last 16.

The 43-year-old reiterated to his players the importance of approaching their trip to face fourth-tier opposition with the right mentality, but his words could scarcely have prepared them for the messy reality on the ground.

Indeed, for some of the Wolves players, this was a brutal introduction to the sort of tie which the FA Cup is famed.

“It was cold, wet, muddy and difficult conditions, but the lads did really well,” Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone told TNT Sports.

“It’s mad, I quite enjoy these conditions. But there are not many lads in the dressing room who have seen the lower leagues in England.

While Wolves have managed just one win after 26 games in their dismal Premier League campaign, back-to-back FA Cup wins against League Two opponents has extended their cup interest into March.

Edwards will hope the competition can yet provide some joy to supporters with relegation to the Championship seemingly inevitable – however the victories come.

“It was an aggressive game of headers and volleys,” joked Edwards, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They were really difficult conditions for both teams. It was a different type of game and a bit of a throwback.

“It was an eye-opener for a lot of the players when we arrived, the wind was sideways and there were puddles on the pitch.

“It was never going to be a day for beautiful football. We played with realism, we showed spirit and fight. We did the basics well and came through.”

Edwards added: “It was all set up for a cup upset. We talked a lot about mentality over the past few days and the players showed a real desire to win.”

For Grimsby boss Artell, a “bowling green” surface much closer in quality to the one his side stunned Manchester United on in the League Cup earlier this season would also have been preferable.

The Mariners, on a 10-game unbeaten run stretching back to December, were full of confidence as they targeted another huge upset but were unable to capitalise on their late chances.

“From my side, we much prefer to play on a better pitch,” Artell told BBC Radio 5 Live.