Town Score Three to Purple Hayes

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 11/09/2011

GRIMSBY pulled themselves further away from the relegation zone as they secured back to back victories with a 3-0 win over Hayes/Yeading at Blundell Park. The Mariners dominated the game and missed a lot of chances, but their pressure told as they were gifted two out of their goals, with Duffy grabbing a brace,

Town made just one change with Duffy coming in for Spencer up front. Grimsby continued with the 4-4-2 formation which had seen them pick up their first away win in the previous game at Forest Green. Hayes and Yeading, who have the distinction of being named after not one, but two, places nobody has heard of, were playing their first game since losing captain Jamie Hand to Luton.

After early Town pressure the best chance of the game to date fell to the visitors. The ball was played through to Paquette which split the Town defence but the striker snatched at his shot which was easily saved.

Hearn created Grimsby's first good chance of the game. A long ball from Pearson fell to to Hearn, who beat his defender and pulled the ball back to Artus who unfortunately skied it.

Town then went close from a Disley corner which fell to Pearson whose shot just eluded several Town players and grazed the outside of post.

McKearn has to be alert to pull off a good save from a Hayes' free kick, clawing away Crockford's goalbound shot and smothering the ball at the second attempt.

Town then went the closest they had done so yet when a Pearson header from a Bradley Wood free kick was cleared off the line.

Town at this stage were cursing all their misses but Hayes presented Grimsby with a gilt-edged opportunity. The ball was played out to Coulson who put in a dangerous cross into the box. It should have been comfortably cleared by the Hayes defence, but a defender sliced his clearance straight to Duffy in the six yard box, who dipped his bread from close range.

Just before the break Artus has a long range shot to force a save from the Hayes 'keeper who had had a good game.

The lead at the break was no more than Town deserved.

Town almost scored within seconds of he break. Coulson played a ball along the line to Hearn who skilfully beat his man and put in a great cross to Duffy in the six yard box, only for the Town striker to totally miscue.

However within seconds Duffy had made amends, Makofo's persistence initially won ball before Hearn took control of it and once again crossed to Duffy who had lost his man in the box and headed in from close range in front of the Pontoon. Duffy, with two goals to his name, by this stage should have had a hat trick - not bad for a player who Town wanted to get rid of in the summer!

Elding came on for Duffy in 60 mins, and dragged a shot wide after being played through by Disley.

Then another substitute Eagle combined well with Coulson, but then shot over.

On 86 minutes though Town scored a bizarre goal after another mistake by Hayes, this time the 'keeper who had otherwise been flawless. Bradley Wood took a free kick from half way line near the dug outs and tried to chip the 'keeper who could easily have caught it but somehow he dropped it and was bundled with the ball into the back of net much to the delight of the Town crowd behind the goal. Hayes's humiliation was complete.

Grimsby can be satisfied with their performance, and probably should have scored more goals. Hearn is yet to score but is contributing with assists, and causing problems for defenders. The Mariners can also look on another clean sheet as a positive, especially as they still have three first choice defenders out.

Next up is Conference newcomers Stockport away on Saturday.

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