Borough earn a classy point against Stockton

GRIMSBY Borough extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 1-1 draw with leaders Stockton Town. Stockton, who just missed out on promotion last year, have rebuilt their squad from last season with an array of ex-pros to hopefully go up this time. Borough were without five key players - Tom Jamieson and Jack Debnam both suspended, Edwin Essel and Caine Winfarrah both injured and Reece York with work commitments.

Lewis Collins was back after a lengthy lay-off, George Horrocks came in for his debut at this level and Henry Ellis got his first start of the season at fullback. Borough started with a 4-5-1 formation and what a start it was for Borough as Adam Drury got to a bouncing ball first just inside the area and powered his shot into the far top corner, giving keeper Pat Boyes no chance.

This was a massive shock to the visitors as they upped the tempo immediately.

Tom Portas and Glen Butterworth were controlling the midfield with quick incisive passing into prolific striker Steve Thompson, but Borough were battling, Lovett and Hipwell were competing and winning a lot of ball, with Sawyer, Davey and Collins getting through a lot of work in the central areas.

Hipwell did particularly well when Beddow got through the back four with a run at goal but the youngster caught him up to get a foot in at the last minute for Higton to clear the loose ball.

The referee awarded the visitors a dubious penalty on 15 minutes. After wrestling by Sawyer and Beddow at a corner, Beddow appeared to fall over and the referee pointed to the spot. Thompson stepped up to thump the ball past Higton.

Adam Nicholson headed back a corner to Thompson five yards out to shoot but Higton blocked with an outstretched hand.

Borough went straight to the other end and should have taken the lead. Drury intercepted a poor back pass by McWilliam to go one-on-one with Boyes but he scuffed his shot and Boyes pushed away to safety.

Borough had grown into the game and were looking more confident. Hipwell should have made it two when he got on the end of a Collins free-kick at the far post five yards out and his header was tipped over by Boyes.

The second half saw the visitors push men forward to try and get the second goal and it was Higton who came to Boro’s rescue with a great tip over from a rising drive from Roberts. Stockton had a lot of possession and were trying to feed balls into the strikers, but Borough had men behind the ball as the back four of Ellis, Hipwell, Lovett and Adlard held firm.

Little was seen from Borough as an attacking force in the second half as it was all hands to the pumps. Borough are now unbeaten in seven games, taking 15 points from 21.