By Efete shines on comeback as Grimsby return to winning ways
Michee Efete claimed a well-earned man of the match award as he claimed two goals as Grimsby defeated Wealdstone 2-1.
The full back returned to the side after a hamstring injury and was on the scoresheet twice with goals from set pieces delivered by loanee Arjan Raikhy.
Grimsby began the game in a similar fashion to recent performances, beginning brightly but not making that early dominance count on the scoreline.
Ryan Taylor, Luke Waterfall and Harry Clifton all had golden opportunities to open the scoring, but that goal did eventually come in the 34th minute when a Raikhy cross looked like it was met by Waterfall, but there was confusion about the real goalscorer.
Some thought it was the experienced centre back who nodded it in, while the Grimsby Twitter page said it was his defensive partner Shaun Pearson and the announcer said it was Efete.
Unless you had a bet on the first goalscorer, the important fact was that Grimsby were ahead and they almost went into the break 2-nil up when John McAtee’s effort narrowly missed the target.
The Mariners doubled their lead at the beginning of the second half when Efete climbed highest at the back post to nod home an emphatic header in front of the Pontoon.
This goal came seconds after Amos and club captain Giles Coke had efforts cleared off the line by a flailing away defence.
The double advantage sent Blundell Park bouncing with chants of “Mariners” and “you’re not singing anymore” towards the passionate 166 travelling Wealdstone fans.
This confidence was hurt a few moments later when a sloppy pass by Danny Amos was easily intercepted by Jamie Moscoll who put the ball in the back of an almost empty net from 30 yards to give his side hope of an unlikely comeback.
In reality, Max Crocombe was rarely threatened in the Grimsby goal and it was more likely that the hosts would get a third, than lose two points.
McAtee pressed well with high intensity in the Wealdstone half and could have scored a hat trick with the chances he had, but had left his shooting boots at home as his efforts were all either saved or went narrowly wide of the mark.
Erico Sousa had chances cutting inside but struggled with his final end product and Abrahams saw an effort from eight yards out skim the top of the crossbar in injury time at the death.
It was the 4,581 Grimsby fans who went home happy, seeing their side hold onto a crucial three points that could kickstart their season back into gear.
The Mariners face a tough away game next time out, travelling to Meadow Lane to play Notts County in what feels like a must-win game if either side have realistic hopes of challenging for a promotion their passionate fans deserve.
