Distant Goals

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 29/09/2019

GRIMSBY bounced back from their 7-1 cup defeat at Chelsea in superb style, inflicting Exeter's first home defeat of the season as the Mariners saw off their Devon opponents 3-1. Two goals by Ethan Robson and a Moses Ogbu’s penalty saw Town go into a 3-0 lead and Exeter could only manage a late consolation.

Michael Jolley freshened the side up with several changes after the cup defeat, and it turned into a brave but good decision. Hanson, Green, Hewitt, Whitehouse, Elliott and Harry Davis all were dropped to the bench, and Harry Clifton failed to make the squad. Waterfall, Robson, Cook, Ogbu, Ahkeem Rose and Max Wright all started and centre back Mattie Pollock was retained at the back after his good showing at Chelsea.

Town survived some early scares notably with a ball from Bowman glancing across the face of goal and eluding everyone. Ahkeem Rose then had Town's first chance but ran into trouble from a good position rather than shooting early.

The Mariners drew first blood from a Hessenthaler corner which was played to Robson on the corner of the box who blasted an unstoppable shot into the net.

In the second half, Town rode their luck with Pollock's clearance under pressure, itself following a fingertip save by McKeown, striking the crossbar.

Grimsby then gave themselves daylight when Wright was pulled down by Moxey for a clear penalty and Ogbu drilled the ball into the corner from the spot.

Town were in dreamland when Wright and Ogbu combined to set up Robson who coolly finished for his second.

There were still 25 minutes to negotiate which Town used to bring on Davis and Whitehouse to strengthen the defence. The Mariners held strong until deep in injury time when Bowman scored a free-kick which turned out to be a consolation goal.

It was a brilliant result against the leaders which keeps Town in seventh position and now only 4 points off top spot.

The Mariners now have their first midweek break of the season before they face Mansfield at Blundell Park on Saturday.

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