By Match report: Away day delight as Town secure victory at Newport
Grimsby Town recorded their third straight league victory on the road at Newport County this afternoon.
Goals from Bryn Morris and Harry Clifton ensured Paul Hurst’s side ran out 2-0 winners in South Wales, moving them up to ninth in the League Two table.
The first chance of the game fell to Town in the second minute, with Burnley loanee Lewis Richardson sending his header wide from Brendan Kiernan’s ball in.
They dominated possession in the opening exchanges and the next opportunity came for Clifton. His 20-yard strike was smartly turned around the post by Nick Townsend in the Newport goal.
The hosts’ first effort on target came from Omar Bogle’s free-kick from just outside the area, but Max Crocombe made a comfortable save with 20 minutes gone.
Five minutes later, the former Mariners forward brought the ball down well and sent a half-volley wide of the target as County began to impose themselves more on the game.
Town regained control, though, and went close to opening the scoring in the 37th minute following a scramble in the Newport box but the away side failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
They continued to dominate proceedings in the second half, with Bryn Morris stinging the palms of Townsend from 25 yards out.
Just minutes later, Richardson’s effort – following a flick from Taylor – was blocked on the line by a Newport defender as Town went in search of the opener.
They finally made the breakthrough with 63 minutes on the clock through a fantastic strike from Morris, with Anthony Driscoll-Glennon grabbing the assist.
County almost hit back immediately, but a superb clearance off the line from Gavan Holohan ensured the Mariners remained in the lead.
They then grabbed a second with seven minutes left of normal time to play after Harry Clifton brilliantly wrong-footed Townsend to put his side firmly in control.
The midfielder almost doubled his tally for the afternoon three minutes later, but his effort was well saved by the keeper following a lovely through ball from debutant Keyendrah Simmonds.
Town saw out the remaining few minutes in comfortable fashion to cap off a fantastic afternoon for Hurst’s side.
