As previously worried, Des Hamilton did return to the team in the place of Graham Hockless, Stuart Campbell switched from the middle to left wing. Now I'm not having a go at Hamilton here, who for what it's worth have a fine game alongside Nick Daws, but dropping Hockless was plain madness....more on it later.
Town, backed by a good following, started the brighter of the two teams. Hamilton in particular was showing some nice touches and quick feet to take him away from his opponents.
The pace of Cas was a threat from the first minute. Poor Jon Beswetherick was getting dragged all over the place by Cas and looked way out of his depth. Around the ten minute mark and Cas should have opened the scoring. Clever play from Campbell and Boulding saw the Dutchman in space on the edge of the box, his shot sadly lacked any aim and it sliced high and wide.
Beswetherick was replaced on 16 minutes by Steven Haslam as Owls boss Chris Turner looked to stop Cas in his tracks.
Boulding was next to get his chance. Racing away from the static Dean Smith, Boulding looked odds on to score but he hesitated and lost his momentum before defenders surrounded him.
Next up, Iffy Onuora. Campbell again at the heart off it, small role by Hamilton. Onuora with time and space, crap shot. Not even close.
On 29 minutes big-boy Kevin Pressman was replaced by Eric Nixon. Yes THAT Eric Nixon, floppy hair off Tranmere circa 1994. Pressman was struggling all game with an injury of some sort and looked at unease with the ball. On came the 134-year-old and soon enough was in the action.
Four minutes after coming on he was forced to save a Boulding effort, which he parried, and prevent Cas from getting to the rebound. Cas and Nixon collided, both went down but only Cas stayed down. After lenghty treatment Cas was carried off, on came Graham Hockless, Campbell went over to the right wing.
Losing Cas had a big effect on Town as they struggled to restart their engines. The Owls took the advantage and should have really gone in a goal up. McLaren's long through ball was watched by Crane, Proudlock trotted on (nice hair by the way) and approached Davison. Edge of the area and the former Wolves man fired his effort goalwards, Davison looked to have gone the wrong way but from nowhere his fist punched the ball away. Bravo Aidan!
Just before this one Wednesday 'fan' was ejected from the stand to our right. Unhappy at this decision he saw it fitting to offer out the 20 or so riot police escorting him out the ground. Highly amusing if only take your mind of the dull game.
Crane was involved in two major incidents, major in this dour fest anyway. First chasing a through ball with N'Dumbu, fantastic name. Crane expertly tackled only for N'Dumbu to take another two steps and chuck himself a further six yards forward. It's as if Shefki Kuqi never went to Ipswich. Thankfully the ref ignored it.
The second incident was again a long ball over the top. Crane looked to have lost his bearings with Proudlock waiting for the ball. The ex-Owl recovered well though and his sliding overhead kick was impressive, not as impressive as Rambo offering out the riot cops but still impressive all the same.
Half time 0-0, Town should have taken the lead early on but the last five minutes were a bit nervy as Crane especially got panicky and resorted to his favourite 'how high can I kick it' game.
Like the first half, Town started the better in the second. Hockless started to stamp his skill on the game with a clever drag-back-turn-thingy that left his markers starting into space, yes one of them was Terry Cooke.
Cooke, forgot about him. Got a mixed reception from the crowd when his name was read out. Few booes, few claps. Didn't do a lot all game, Barnard coped with him well enough. Lacked service in all honesty, sound familiar?
Back to the game, sadly. Hockless again was setting things up for Town. Clever touches and turns, the Owls couldn't handle him and it's a shame we didn't have the bottle to start with him. The midfield of Hamilton and Daws was solid enough and Disco Des was getting forward on occasions, but it lacked that attacking drive that Campbell offers from the middle. Onuora was winning no end of headers only to find no midfielder pushed up to pick up the loose ball.
Boulding and Onuora missed good chances in quick succession. First Boulding was given a ball to chase before outpacing/wrestling Graeme Lee. With his chance begging Boulding's shot bounced off Nixon before Smith could stop it trickling into the net.
Onuora's chance was probably easier as the work was already done for him. Who set it up? Hockless, like you had to ask. Head and body facing one way, clever lofted chip the other. Onuora approached goal but then screwed his shot wide of the goalmouth, never mind the goal.
Town, when they played it on the ground, looked untouchable. It was just the random hoofs forward that were messing things up. Crane again the main culprit. Will someone please coach him the art of passing on the floor? It's not difficult, really it isn't.
Wednesday crept back into the game late on. Graeme Lee headed against the top of the crossbar from a Cooke corner as Town sat deep and settled for a point.
Hockless provided Town's last real attack on goal. Picking the ball up near the centre circle, the little man skipped past one, two then three before moving goalwards. Another two approached and were sold with a shoulder drop. The goal was approaching fast but the youngster was crowded out before he could get his shot goalwards.
Overall a steady performance from Town but two points dropped rather than one gained. The injury to Cas, which is a gashed leg, looks worrying but with players coming back we do have the strength to cover. Why no subs were used late on by Town is a mystery. Boulding and Onuora were worn out after 70 minutes. What's the point in putting Jevons on the bench and not using him? Crappy PR stunt from the club or penny pinching to avoid apperance fee's etc?
Man of the match: Aidan Davison. World class save in the first half from Proudlock would have won this, much coveted, award on it's own. His commanding of the box and fantastic distribution was just the icing on the cake.
Sheff Wed: Pressman (Nixon 29), Bromby, Lee, Dean Smith, Beswetherick (Haslam 16), Quinn, McLaren (Owusu 83), Mustoe, Cooke, N'Dumbu, Proudlock. Subs not used: Holt, Wood.
Grimsby: Davison, McDermott, Edwards, Crane, Barnard, Cas (Hockless 33), Daws, Campbell, Hamilton, Boulding, Onuora. Subs not used: Mansaram, Jevons, Young, Crowe.