Grimsby Borough 3-2 Grimsby Town: Match Report

Grimsby Borough 3-2 Grimsby Town: Match Report

The Wilderness Boys rounded off their pre-season preparations for the campaign ahead with an impressive late victory against EFL League Two neighbours Grimsby Town, ultimately winning a hard-fought encounter by three goals to two at the Technica Home of Boro.

It means Tom Claisse’s men have gone undefeated through their summer friendlies, and head into the 2026/27 campaign in good spirits, having faced opposition from a variety of levels in recent weeks.

The Borough boss was without the services of forwards Edwin Essel and Kieron Ceesay for the latest Dock Tower Derby, while Josh Venney, Jack Barlow, and Louis Boyd were also unavailable for a fixture that drew a very healthy crowd in the warm summer conditions.

The Wilderness Boys began with Heath Richardson, who was making his first appearance for the club since his arrival from Lincoln United in May, in goal, with a back three of Paul Walker, Bradley Wood, and Tom Sawyer.

Tristan Drummond and Mason Couch took up their regular wing-back roles, with skipper Sam Topliss joined by Alex Flett and Harvey Cribb in the middle of the park. Anane Wireko played just off striker Charlie Burden-Whittleton to form a strong-looking forward line, while Billy Bradley, AJ Adelekan, Josh Clarke, George Burton, Charlie Clements, and Hayden Rogers were among the substitutes.

It was largely a youthful Mariners side, but there was still quality throughout in the shape of first-team squad players Joe Foulkes, Sam Lavelle, Edon Pruti, Henry Brown, and Josh Andrews, while Seb Auton started in goal against his former teammates after a loan spell with Borough last season.

First Half

After the two sides had walked out with respective sets of mascots and guests from St Andrew’s Hospice, it was the Mariners that got us underway and went straight on the offensive, with Henry Brown brought down in a dangerous area and the resulting free-kick from Kristian Catchpole deflected out for a corner that was comfortably dealt with.

Borough were caught out on four minutes, however, as Town striker Josh Andrews latched onto a loose ball and drove forward before squaring for an unmarked Brown to round Richardson and tap into the empty net to give David Artell’s side an early lead.

The Wilderness Boys began to settle after the early setback, with good work from Wireko and Drummond forcing a tenth-minute corner that was headed wide by Topliss from a difficult angle.

They wouldn’t have long to wait for the equaliser, though, as some tenacious work off the ball forced the Mariners into an error that ultimately allowed Wireko to fire past Auton from inside the box to level the scores a minute later

The hard-working Burden-Whittleton then almost capitalised on some defensive hesitancy in the Mariners’ backline, though Auton quickly came out to thwart any potential opening.

After a frantic start, the game began to find a regular rhythm, with both sides working hard on and off the ball and looking to play some inventive football. Following a mid-half hydration break, Richardson had to be alert to deny Foulkes with a good save from the full-back’s near post strike.

Borough were linking up well, with Wireko dropping into pockets of space and Burden-Whittleton stretching the Mariners’ defensive line. The latter almost set up Topliss, who’d made a great run from midfield into the penalty area, however, the visitors mopped up the danger before he could get his shot away .

As half-time approached, Wireko found himself unmarked in the box, and although he’d be denied by a great last ditch challenge from Foulkes, the resulting corner saw Bradley Wood seize on the loose ball and fire home from six yards to give Claisse’s side the lead that they took into the interval.

Second Half

Both sides made changes at the break, with Burden-Whittleton, Sawyer, Wood, and Cribb replaced by Clements, Adelekan, Bradley, and Clarke respectively for Borough as they looked to build on a positive first-half display.

As the game settled down once more, Clarke saw a stinging drive hit Auton’s side netting before Ted Sharp flashed the ball across the face of goal at the other end.

The Mariners would be level just a minute later, however, as Smith was felled in the area and the impressive Brown dispatched the resulting spot kick down the middle of Richardson’s goal on 57 minutes.

Drummond then fired over from range, before Couch and Richardson were replaced by George Burton and Hayden Rogers with a quarter of the contest remaining.

Rogers was quickly called into action to make a stop from Smith’s low effort as both sides looked for a winner. Burden-Whittleton, Wood, Cribb, and Sawyer returned to the fold to replace Topliss, Drummond, Walker, and Flett as we headed towards the final ten minutes.

The game became more stretched in the latter stages, and there was space for both sides on the break. However, it was Borough who’d find a winner in the 87th minute, with Couch, who’d replaced Wireko just seconds earlier, unleashed a superb half-volley from distance that flew into the top corner, leaving Auton with no chance.

The Wilderness Boys then managed the game well and held on for an impressive victory against the Mariners in what was a thoroughly enjoyable clash between two well-matched sides. A great way for Claisse’s side to round off their pre-season.

We thank Grimsby Town and their supporters for visiting us, and wish them all the very best for the 2026/27 season. Borough are back in action on Saturday as the competitive action gets underway with Bourne Town the visitors to the Technica Home of Boro for the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round (3pm kick-off). We hope to see you there!