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Grimsby were actually by far the better side for the first 15-20 minutes of the encounter, with Nico Vaesen twice pulling off excellent saves from Stuart Campbell's dipping volley and Michael Boulding's drive. The visitors showed the kind of passing football, coupled with pacey front play, that had seen them move clear of the relegation zone, and would have no doubt reminded any Blues fans who had been at Blundell Park for the corresponding fixture of the 3-1 drubbing we got that night.
However, Blues took a possibly undeserved lead after 22 minutes, when Tommy Mooney nodded down a Jeff Kenna cross, and following something of a scramble between John and Grimsby player-manager Paul Groves, the ball dropped to Bryan Hughes who sweetly side footed the ball high into the back of the net.
Following this breakthrough, Blues got themselves right back into the game, and doubled their advantage just 8 minutes later when Stan Lazaridis dispossesed Mariners skipper John McDermott and crossed for Mooney, who fluffed his effort, before the ball arrived at the left foot of Bryan Hughes, who again finished coolly.
After the interval, Blues continued to terrorise the Grimsby back four, and gained a three goal advantage after 49 minutes when Tom Williams - one of four home debutants - crossed superbly for the unmarked John to head back across Danny Coyne and into the back of the net. Blues were really going for it now.
The scoring for the afternoon was complete when Damien Johnson charged down a defensive clearance and was left one on one with Coyne. Still with work to do, Johnson finished sublimely, simply flicking the ball through Coyne's legs to cap his home debut with a goal.
The scoreline may have been a little harsh on Grimsby who continued to play some nice football, and went close on several other occasions, once again through the impressive Boulding and loanee Andy Todd. However, Blues too should have at least added to their lead, with Mooney and substitute Geoff Horsfield both missing great chances - on several occasions being foiled by the unfortunate Coyne.
On the 'new arrivals' front, all four home debutants impressed the 23,000 plus inside St Andrews. Tom Williams had a mixed first half, trying to be too clever on occaisions, but settled down considerably after the break, and had an excellent second half, with the icing on the cake being his cross for our third goal. Olivier Tebily was superb again, looking strong and quick against some tricky opponents, and was less adventerous than in his debut last week. Michael Hughes was solid in the middle of the park, hurrying opponents and causing them to lose possession, and then playing the simple ball time and again - the kind of player we've lacked for too long, whilst Damien Johnson capped off an assured performance on the right flank with his goal.
Blues look to be all set for the play offs now. With teams around us faltering, and the new arrivals at the club bedding together quicker than even the most optimistic fans could have hoped, a top six finish should really and truly be a formality. With a depth to the squad that at least equals the likes of Man City and Wolves, the fight for places in the team is hotting up, with the likes of Paul Devlin, Darren Carter, Ian Bennett, Darren Purse, Martin Grainger, Steve Vickers, Geoff Horsfield and Curtis Woodhouse either not starting or not even figuring in the game today, everything bodes well for our annual end of season lottery.
Richard Barker
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