The 15/2 match at Blundell Park saw its focus shift from the sport to the poor quality of the pitch, with significant areas heavily covered in mud.

Both penalty boxes transformed almost entirely into mud pits, severely impacting both offensive and defensive play. Along the sidelines, standing water required ground staff to continuously sweep away the thin layer of mud from the boundary lines.

Coach Rob Edwards steps onto the pitch after Wolves defeated Grimsby Town 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on 15/2/2026. Photo: Premier League

On social media, many fans expressed their frustration. One supporter wrote, "You can't expect proper football quality on a pitch like this." Another account likened the Blundell Park pitch to the Battle of Normandy, emphasizing the uneven, swampy, and desolate condition of the turf, covered in mud and large puddles, making the scene resemble a battlefield in the Normandy region of northwest France during World War two rather than a professional football stadium.

Despite its condition, the Blundell Park pitch had passed two inspections before kickoff. Wolves started slowly, allowing Grimsby to appear stronger in the first half. Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren had chances to open the scoring for the home team but failed to convert. After the break, the visitors played better, securing the match with Santiago Bueno's sole goal in the 60th minute.

Following the match, Wolves coach Rob Edwards described it as "a game of aerial battles and fierce volleys", with the Premier League team having to "survive in a real mud bath".

"This was the perfect scenario for a cup shock. Tactics were almost meaningless; everything reverted to old-school football," Edwards said. "When we arrived, the wind was blowing across the face, and there were large puddles on the pitch. It was truly an eye-opening experience for many players."

Grimsby had previously caused upsets in cup competitions this season. They created a stir by eliminating Ruben Amorim's Man Utd in the League Cup in 8/2025, then went on to beat Sheffield Wednesday. Grimsby's fairytale journey only ended when they met Brentford, before their FA Cup dream concluded with the loss to Wolves on the muddy pitch.

Grimsby coach David Artell acknowledged that the pitch significantly affected his team's chances. "It was a classic FA Cup tie, wasn't it?", he remarked. "The pitch played a huge role. We wanted to play on a better pitch, like when we faced Man Utd. I'm not making excuses, but such conditions made it difficult for us to implement our desired style of play."

Artell suggested that both teams adapted relatively well. "Losing is always frustrating. But looking at the bigger picture, we were very close to an opportunity. If just one moment had been different, perhaps the outcome would have been too", he added.

Hong Duy (according to ESPN, The Sun)