Familiar failings prove so costly as Mariners slip to another shock loss
DROP-THREATENED ALDERSHOT INFLICT MORE MISERY
GRIMSBY Town fell to their fourth consecutive defeat as goals from Tommy Willard and Alfy Whittingham helped Aldershot Town to a shock 2-1 victory at The EBB Stadium.
The Mariners fell behind early on when Willard pounced at the back post to turn the ball in after a knock-down from Liam Kinsella’s free-kick.
Town responded quickly, though, and levelled when Harry Clifton redirected Ben Fox’s shot into the net to restore parity, their first goal for three games.
However, their frailties from set-pieces proved costly and Whittingham punished them by finishing inside the area to inflict another reverse on Paul Hurst’s side.
In the process, it helped Aldershot to their first points at home this season at the eighth attempt, securing a first in seven matches for the National League’s second-bottom side.
The Mariners made four changes to the team that were beaten at Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup, with Evan Khouri handed his first start of the National League season.
Erico Sousa, Alex Hunt and James McKeown returned from injury but they were unable to spark a positive start from the Mariners as they fell behind early.
Aldershot, licking their wounds after a 5-0 drubbing against Wrexham in midweek, grabbed the lead they had hoped for as Willard tucked home at the back post following a flick-on from Kinsella’s free-kick.
After a run of three games without a goal, Town fans would’ve been forgiven for fearing the worst but they were back on level terms just minutes later.
Sousa’s cross from the right was cushioned down by Khouri for Fox and despite his mishitting his shot, the effort was headed in by Clifton for his fourth of the campaign.
Despite pulling level, the hosts continued to probe, looking far superior to a side residing second bottom in the division.
In particular, their threat from set-pieces was a concern with Town struggling to match the physicality of their opponents.
The danger continued to persist and James McKeown had to be at his very best to turn
Ryan Glover’s header onto the underside of the bar before the ball was cleared to safety.
The Mariners started the second half better, controlling possession and trying to fashion an opening.
They continued to look vulnerable to balls into their box, however, and that allowed Aldershot to recover their lead.
Another delivery wasn’t dealt with and Seb Revan unwittingly flicked the ball into the path of Whittingham, who finished at the far post.
That sparked a furious reaction from McKeown, who was once again left exposed by his defence’s inability to clear their lines from an aerial situation.
Town responded with a double substitution and Will Bapaga almost levelled but dragged his strike from inside the area just wide when he should have hit the target.
Despite the Mariners’ pressure, it was far from a backs-to-the-walls performance from Aldershot and they nearly doubled their lead as Christian Oxlade-Chamberlian clattered the crossbar from the edge of the area.
After such a poor run, Aldershot fans must have been fearing the worst after twice hitting the woodwork and Town almost made them pay with minutes left on the clock.
The ball fell to Ryan Taylor inside the area and his strike was somehow kept out from close range by a combination of goalkeeper Jamie Walker and his sliding defenders.
It was the biggest save Walker had to make on another afternoon where Town failed to work the goalkeeper anywhere near enough despite having good territory in the opposition’s half.
The full-time whistle sparked jubilant scenes from the home supporters, bouncing back after a 5-0 hammering against AFC Wrexham on Tuesday night with a chalk-andcheese performance.
For Town, it leaves them third in the National League standings, three points behind league-leaders Chesterfield.
Next up for the Mariners is a clash with Southend United at Blundell Park on Friday night in front of the BT Sports cameras.