Mariners dig deep to secure their first league win of the new season

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GRIMSBY Town ended their long wait for a win as they finally got off the mark in League Two by beating in-form Cheltenham 3-1 at Whaddon Road. Goals from Owura Edwards, James Tilley and Owen Windsor sealed the points, sparking jubilant scenes from the players and staff as they lifted themselves out of the bottom two.

Having promised changes, Ian Holloway stayed true to his word as he made three adjustments to the side that started at Bolton.

Bristol City loanee James Morton was handed his Town debut, while Montel Gibson made his first league start as Matt Green and Owen Windsor made way after leading the line in Lancashire. Elsewhere, Owura Edwards, James Tilley and Ludvig Öhman returned to the line-up as Holloway went for a back three against the in-from Robins. Having impressed off the bench at the weekend, Edwards picked up where he left off as he raced down the left after being set away by Harry Clifton, with the teenager cutting inside and curling his effort just past the far post.

The Mariners were extremely lucky not to find themselves behind just before the quarter-hour mark, with James McKeown misjudging Andy Williams’ knock-down, leaving George Lloyd with an open goal.

He somehow managed to strike the post, but on closer inspection, Luke Waterfall looked to have played a big hand – literally – in preventing the ball from crossing the line.

Having been given their reprieve, the Mariners finally ended their wait for a league goal, and what a way it was to break their duck.

The always-dangerous Edwards cut his way inside from the right before letting fly just outside the penalty area, and leaving Josh Griffiths with no chance as the ball nestled in the bottom corner. Having taken the lead, Town were soon demanding the chance to add a second as Gibson went down under a challenge while rounding the goalkeeper, but nothing was forthcoming from referee Paul Howard.

The visitors’ lead wouldn’t last long, with a poor touch from Luke Waterfall presenting the hosts with the chance to pounce, leading to Andy Williams having the simplest of tap-ins to equalise.

The game was being played at a breakneck speed, and Town were indebted to McKeown as he prevented Liam Sercombe from giving the Robins the lead, while Gibson wasted a glorious chance after finding himself one-on-one with Griffiths. McKeown’s opposite number wasn’t enjoying himself at the other end of the pitch, and it was an absolute howler that saw Town retake the lead. More good work down the right saw Tilley cut inside and try his luck – it should have been a routine save at his near post, but Griffiths somehow managed to drop the ball into his own net, leaving the former Brighton man to celebrate his first Town goal as the Robins’ stopper looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up.

The hosts fought hard to find an equaliser after the break, but it was the Mariners who could – and should – have extended their lead as Gibson spurned another opportunity.

Town came under late pressure and McKeown pulled off a magnificent save to keep Sercombe’s snap-shot out.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Windsor beat the offside trap and slotted home the Mariners’ third, wrapping up their first win of the season.