Grimsby Borough 3-1 Barton Town: Match Report

Grimsby Borough 3-1 Barton Town: Match Report

The Wilderness Boys hosted Barton Town at the Technica Home of Boro in their latest pre-season clash on Tuesday evening, as boss Tom Claisse and his coaching team continue to fine-tune their squad in preparation for the long season ahead.

Having seen off Northern League side Thornaby earlier in the month, Borough were looking to make it two wins from their opening two friendlies and build momentum as they look forward to their fifth consecutive season in the Northern Premier League Division One East.

Starting once more with Hayden Rogers in goal, Claisse began with a back three of Billy Bradley, Bradley Wood, and Tom Sawyer, with Tristan Drummond and George Burton providing the width as wing-backs. Alex Flett was joined by Josh Venney and Trialist A in the middle of the park, with Kieron Ceesay and Edwin Essel occupying the forward roles.

Barton, who narrowly missed out on promotion to step four themselves last time out, would provide Borough with a tough test, and it was the Swans who created the first opening as they struck the woodwork with a far post header following a set-piece, with the ball eventually ending up safely in Rogers' gloves.

Borough had started well, however, moving the ball around quickly and with purpose from the off. Operating in a fluid system that allowed players the freedom to interchange at times, the first goal soon arrived as Ceesay played strike partner Essel through to finish with ease on 13 minutes.

Just three minutes later the pair would combine in similar fashion, though this time the Borough goalscorer was denied by the Barton ‘keeper.

Both sides continued to get the ball down and play some neat, tidy football, but it was Borough who were largely controlling the game, and Claisse’s men would go two goals ahead when Ceesay’s thunderous volley flew into the top corner following good work from Trialist A and Essel just after the half-hour mark.

The visitors sprang into life on 42 minutes when Rogers was called into action to tip over a well-struck shot from distance that looked to be heading into the top corner. While at the other end, Drummond, who’d been getting forward well from his wing-back position, saw an effort deflected wide just before the break.

Heading into the interval two goals up and looking sharp in their general play, Borough opted to make multiple changes for the second-half, as Burton, Drummond, Ceesay, and Essel were replaced by Bailey Wright, Mason Couch, Charlie Clements, and Trialist B respectively. There was also a change in goal as Rogers made way for Trialist C.

The Wilderness Boys were soon on the front foot again, as Trialist B saw a close range effort blocked just after the restart. The game then became a little scrappy, however, as both sides looked to re-find their first-half rhythm.

Jack Barlow and Trialist D replaced Venney and Trialist A in the Borough engine room as both sides made substitutions on the hour mark, before the visitors twice fired wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The game then proceeded to be played out in midfield for the most part, where Flett in particular was looking to control proceedings for Claisse’s side. Striker Clements’ 70th-minute shot from 20-yards drifted wide after good work from Couch, before Barton pulled a goal back just a few minutes later as a great left-wing cross was dispatched by an even better header into the top corner, leaving the trialling goalkeeper with no chance.

Borough would quickly restore their two-goal cushion, though, as Barlow’s nicely-weighted pass sent Clements through, with the attacker adjudged to have been felled in the area and a penalty awarded. The former Grimsby Town youngster picked himself up to calmly place his spot-kick down the middle to make it 3-1.

Drummond returned in place of Sawyer as the game drifted into its final stages. The Swans threatened late on as their right-sided wide player fizzed an effort narrowly off target from a tight angle following a scramble in the penalty area, before the referee brought proceedings to a close.

Tom Claisse and Liam Dickens will have almost certainly been pleased with their side’s performance as Borough played some free-flowing football throughout, as well as showing a real tenacity when out of possession. The squad is looking strong in terms of both depth and quality, with a real blend of youth and experience, and there’s certainly plenty for all connected with the club to be enthusiastic about for the year ahead.

We thank Barton Town for visiting, and wish them all the best for their upcoming NCEL Premier Division campaign. Borough are next in action this Saturday (July 18th) as we welcome Grantham Town to the Technica Home of Boro for our next pre-season test.