Premier League Wolves beat League Two Grimsby in a ‘bounce’ FA Cup

It was, without a doubt, an ‘old school draw’ – a match which both managers agreed provided ‘a bit of bounce’.

The pitch at Blundell Park was already swampy before kick-off of the match between League Two Grimsby Town and the Premier League, and it rapidly deteriorated under incessant rain on the east coast.

The ball moved unexpectedly across the wet surface. The players continued to slide for longer than expected. Pitch marks are indistinct in the mud bath.

It would be an exaggeration to suggest that the circumstances did not help either team’s ambitions to play attractive football.

But they produced wonderful scenes reminiscent of a bygone era, summing up the essence and magic of FA Cup history.

However, there will be no giant killing here. Despite Grimsby’s best efforts to test the visitors’ resolve, Championship strugglers Wolves qualified for the fifth round by scoring with their only shot on target.

“It was a proper traditional School Cup game,” Grimsby coach David Artell told TNT Sports.

“It was a good game on the sidelines, that’s what it was – we limited the Premier League side to one attempt on target and it was scored.

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

“The conditions contributed to the game in some ways because it was a bit of a bounce.”