Weymouth v Grimsby Town

Weymouth made four changes to the starting line-up from their 3-0 defeat to Torquay United last time out, with Ben Morgan, Ben Thomson and Cameron Murray dropping to the bench and Josh McQuoid missing the game as he serves his suspension after accumulating ten yellow cards this season. Tom Bearwish returned to the starting line-up along with Haji Mnoga, who started following his return from international duties with Tanzania. There were also starts for midfielders Xander McBurnie and Matt Buse.

Two minutes into the game and it was the home side with a great opportunity to take the lead. An early corner taken by Sean Shields found the head of Bradley Ash, who’s effort was just wide of the post. Tyler Cordner also had an opportunity from range on six minutes, after winning possession in the attacking half, but his strike was well off the mark. Grimsby’s first chance of the game came from a long throw into the penalty area from the right flank, which found the skipper Luke Waterfall’s head, but his effort was caught by Terras keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

Grimsby, who directed most of their attacking play down the right flank in the game, almost took the lead on 15 minutes. John McAtee broke down the right-hand side, before laying it off to Gavan Holohan, who picked out Jordan Maguire-Drew in a dangerous position in front of goal, but his effort was well saved by Fitzsimons from close range.

Another glorious chance arrived for the Mariners on 28 minutes as McAtee, by far Grimsby’s most influential player of the match, rushed towards the byline, on the right-hand side of the penalty area and finds Harry Clifton, who had what seemingly looked a simple finish into the bottom corner, but, under pressure from Man of the Match Haji Mnoga, he couldn’t find the target as his shot dragged wide.

Just before half time, the Terras won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area which Bournemouth loanee Ben Greenwood opted to take. His left footed effort went up and over the wall and was heading for the top right corner, but the post denied what would have been a stunning finish from the full back.

There was a change at half time as Tom Bearwish was replaced by Cameron Murray who came on to make his 100th Weymouth appearance.

Grimsby got themselves into trouble just two minutes into the second half when a wayward pass from the Mariners back line found the feet of Matt Buse who struck from range, but his effort was easily saved by Max Crocombe. Weymouth had to defend early in the second half as Clifton struck at the near post but Mnoga blocked well to force a corner. Shortly after, a deep ball into the penalty area found the head of skipper Waterfall but his header was wide of the mark.

Grimsby continued to pile on the pressure as McAtee fizzed a dangerous ball into the penalty area on 66 minutes, but nobody could meet it as it rolled away from danger before Clifton struck towards the left corner but Fitzsimons dived down well to deny him. Another good chance for Grimsby came on 78 minutes as Danny Amos laid off Gavan Holohan who was in space just inside the penalty area but he fired his shot over the bar. Moments later, Maguire-Drew found space down the right hand side before he cut inside on his left foot and his effort towards the corner of the net was denied by a fantastic finger tipped save from Fitzsimons. Adam Smith also had a chance on goal for Grimsby but his shot heading for the right hand side of the net, was blocked brilliantly on the line by Haji Mnoga, in what was the conclusion of a flurry of chances for the away side.

Weymouth had a glorious chance to snatch all three points on 87 minutes when substitute Ben Thomson played a pinpoint cross to the head of an unmarked Brandon Goodship at the back post, but his headed effort was agonisingly straight down the throat of Crocombe who had no trouble in catching his effort.

This result leaves Weymouth in 22nd place and eleven points off safety as Aldershot Town recorded a 2-1 win over Boreham Wood.

Weymouth team: Fitzsimons, Greenwood, McBurnie, Cordner, Goodship, Ash, Mnoga, Bearwish, Drewe, Buse, Shields. SUBS: Morgan, Thomson (73’), Mampala (89’), Murray (45’), Carlyle.

Grimsby team: Crocombe, Cropper, Clifton, McAtee, Holohan, Maguire-Drew, Jones, Taylor, Waterfall, Smith, Amos. SUBS: Pearson, Fox, Scannell (71’), Abrahams (90’), Dieseruvwe (75’).