Town Beat Braintree to Go Top

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/11/2012 (Last updated: 19/11/2012)

GRIMSBY rose to the top of the Blue Square Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win over Braintree on Saturday. Ross Hannah scored twice and Craig Disley headed Town's second to give Town their second successive three points at Blundell Park and send the fans home happy.

It was a solid all round performance with Braintree never registering a shot on target during the whole game. Hyde's shock win at Newport meant that Town leapfrogged the division's long time leaders, although most of the sides below Grimsby have at least 1 game in hand on the Mariners.

There was just one change from the starting line-up against Woking. Neilson came into the side after his 3-match suspension for the injured Colbeck. However Neilson started on the left and Marshall switched to the right wing. Niven played most of the game against the Cards following Colbeck's injury but had to settle for a place on the bench again.

Town had a frustrating first half with Braintree content to sit back and limit the number of openings for the Mariners. Grimsby had a few chances early on, and Hatton had a free kick from distance that whizzed just past the post. Town did get the ball in the net from a Pond header but it was disallowed for climbing by Pearson in the build-up.

Town's best chance fell to Hannah when he latched onto a Cook though ball but prodded his effort just wide of the post

Just when it looked like the first half might end goalless, Grimsby went ahead. Pond chased a loose ball down to the byeline, he could have taken a corner for Town but instead pulled it back onto Hannah's head for an easy goal for the on-loan striker.

Just after the break Marshall received a great ball and tried to curl round keeper, who got a hand to it. It was soon two however as a free kick by Neilson clipped Disley's head as it flew through the air, and the deflection was enough to beat the 'keeper.

Braintree had their best effort when Wells skied the ball when in prime positions in the six yard box,

Town wrapped the game up from a Marshall run into the box. The ball was intercepted but ricocheted into the path of Hannah who drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the Pontoon goal.

Town could have had a fourth but had a shot which hit the post and the follow up shot was cleared off line

So for the second week running Grimsby could celebrate the last few minutes with a comfortable margin to round off a convincing performance.

Town now have a two week break from league action, their next match being an FA Trophy tie at Blundell Park with Evo-Stik League Premier side Buxton. It also means Grimsby are guaranteed to end the month of November in top spot.

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