Latics stung by moment of class

Photo: Alan Howarth

Jamie Reckord

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GRIMSBY 2 ATHLETIC 1

A FIFTH defeat in as many pre-season run-outs came courtesy of a sparkling free-kick for the third game running.

Dominic Vose, formerly of Athletic's League One rivals Colchester and Scunthorpe, struck a sumptuous 30-yard effort beyond Connor Ripley and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Athletic created plenty of chances - strike pair Billy Mckay and Lee Erwin will both feel they should have done better with their opportunities - but a Jamie Reckord header from a second-half set-piece by Ollie Banks was the only occasion they managed to find a way through against Grimsby at Blundell Park.

At the other end, the lively Kayden Jackson had opened the scoring after 14 minutes and the wily ex-Derby man Ben Davies offered plenty of threat when moving forward from his right-back station.

ENERGY

Athletic didn't summon up the energy to let their superior talent shine through.

That's not a problem, though, provided that additional drive is in place come kick-off at Millwall on Saturday.

Oumare Fane, who played while on trial from Kidderminster against Wigan, was missing from the squad for this clash along with Marc Klok, who was still feeling the effects of a slight thigh problem.

Those looking for clues as to how Athletic may line up at The Den will have noted that Brian Wilson was preferred to Josh Law at right-back for the first 45 minutes, while Lee Croft's positive pre-season was rewarded with a place in the opening XI on the right wing in a 4-4-2 formation.

Boss Stephen Robinson hasn't finished his summer shopping yet, with a striker and winger still at the top of his list.

In a lively opening half, Athletic created but wasted chances and proved susceptible to the wiles of veteran Davies and the pace of scorer Jackson.

The pair combined for the opening goal - the marking from the right flank corner was decidedly poorer than the quality of the header planted past Ripley - and the lively Jackson almost bagged a second from an almost identical cross three minutes later.

Athletic should have scored in the opening 15 seconds. Neat work from Erwin fed Mckay in on goal, but after electing to cut back in on to his right foot, momentum was lost and his effort was blocked by a retreating defence.

Croft had a shot tipped over by James McKeown after a neat move also involving Erwin and Mckay and from the resulting corner, Banks's delivery was headed into the turf and over by the unmarked Erwin when he may have done better.

Jackson found the side-netting from a Davies free-kick and also forced Ripley to the floor to smother as he tried to get past Cameron Burgess.

Mckay was again in on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball stuck on the turf and hit him on the heel, and Ripley was forced into action at the end of the half when Sean McAllister's shot from the edge of the area was travelling goalwards before it was beaten away.

It was a tight opening to second half, which saw Law replace Wilson at right-back, but Athletic were on level terms after 56 minutes.

Ryan Flynn was fouled on the left and Banks delivered an excellent free-kick that was waiting to be turned in by a group of Athletic players attacking the ball eight yards out. Reckord managed to rise highest to level the scores.

McAllister and James Berrett both saw attempts blocked at the other end, with Davies again heavily involved.

ANGLING

Burgess was then left with two players to mark as a cross came in from the left, Shaun Pearson angling his header wide, before new striker Darius Osei was introduced in the 71st minute.

The game became muddled by substitutions, but there was a moment of clarity and class in its 80th-minute winner.

Substitute Vose struck a brilliant 30-yard effort that Ripley did well to get a hand to, but the goalkeeper could do little more than push the ball onto the underside of the crossbar before it crept in.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Davies Venney 83), Jones, McAllister, Boyce, Berrett, Bolarinwa (Vose 63), Summerfield (Chambers 62), Jackson (Browne 74), Vernon (Bogle 62), Pearson. Subs: Clifton, Warrington, Wright.

Goals: Jackson 14, Vose 80

Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson (Law 46), Clarke, Burgess, Reckord; Croft (Woodland 79), Banks, Green, Flynn (Osei 71); Erwin (Cassidy 86), Mckay. Subs not used: Kettings, Law, Edmundson, Stott, Mantack, Winchester.

Goals: Reckord 56

Referee: Steve Ross

Attendance: 1,038 (110 visiting fans)