STONES ARE HAUNTED BY THEIR OLD BOY MICHEE
MICHEE Efete scored twice against his old club to earn Grimsby an important victory over Wealdstone at a blustery Blundell Park.
Efete, who made the move north from Grosvenor Vale in the summer, was credited with getting the vital touch on a corner to give the hosts the lead, before doubling their advantage with a towering header six minutes after the break.
The Stones had done little to threaten the Mariners’ goal but suddenly got themselves back into the contest when Jamie Mascoll made it 2-1, although they were unable to complete the comeback as Grimsby closed out only their third victory in 15 games.
Town first team coach Ben Davies said: “I’m delighted to get the win. It was a must for us to get three points today and we have done that.
“We made it difficult and in other games, we have not been so lucky to get away with it and have been punished.
“We should have been out of sight, really. Wealdstone played well in patches and the goal was a bit of a sucker-punch when we were on top but the lads showed grit and rode it out.”
The first half was largely one-way traffic as Grimsby, with the strong wind at their backs, poured forward.
Stones keeper George Wickens was called into early action to stop a close-range volley from Ryan Taylor and a low shot by Erico Sousa, while the hosts also won a string of corners but despite their dominance, it took them 34 minutes to finally break the deadlock.
At the other end, Wealdstone had few opportunities to threaten, with Grimsby keeper Max Crocombe called into action only to punch clear of danger from long-range free kicks.
Efete’s far-post header looked to have made the points safe six minutes after the break as he met Aston Villa loanee Arjan Raikhy’s free kick.
But Wealdstone hit back when Mascoll took advantage of a mistake by Danny Amos to lift a brilliant finish over the stranded Crocombe from out on the right.
The visitors grew in confidence as they looked for an unlikely point but Grimsby held firm at the back and missed more chances to avoid a nervous finish to the game.
Stones boss Stuart Maynard said: “I always thought it would be a game of two halves because when we got here, the wind was strong and it was so hard in the first half to get up.
“It was disappointing to concede from two set pieces because we have been so good defensively.”
On Efete’s contribution, Maynard added: “He is probably one of the most dangerous in the league from set pieces.
“It’s always gutting when someone comes back to haunt you and and scores against you but he is a good lad and I wish him well.”
STAR MAN: Michee Efete (Grimsby) ATT: 4,747 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Thomas Kirk