Grimsby Town 3-2 Weston-super-Mare: Mariners Score Late FA Cup Winner
Image Source: Shutterstock
By Sophie Hurcom
BBC Sport England, West
In a thrilling FA Cup encounter, Grimsby Town secured a spot in the fourth round, leaving non-league Weston-super-Mare heartbroken. Substitute Kieran Green's 86th-minute winner was the highlight of the match, as the Mariners edged out their opponents. The game began with a stunning long-range shot from Charles Vernam, giving Grimsby a 1-0 lead just before halftime. However, Luke Coulson equalized for Weston, marking their first-ever appearance in the competition's third round in 138 years.
Jaze Kabia restored Grimsby's lead with his 11th goal of the season, flicking the ball in after a corner. Weston responded again, with Louis Britton scoring from six yards to level the score at 2-2. As extra time loomed, Green headed in a corner to secure the League Two side's victory.
Grimsby's manager, David Artell, made six changes for the game, and his team had to work hard to break down a solid Weston defense, which included a lecturer, painter and decorator, and a personal trainer among their part-time players. Jamie Walker's shot trickled wide, Tyrell Warren's strike was palmed away, and Vernam's efforts went over the bar, with 10 shots in the first half. The Seagulls, currently second in their division, also had their chances, all through the in-form Coulson, who forced Jackson Smith into three saves.
Grimsby finally found the opener four minutes before halftime. Jude Soonsup-Bell headed a cross from Vernam, which Harris tipped over, resulting in a corner. Vernam took it short and, after a one-two, unleashed a strike from distance, which Harris couldn't prevent from flying into the net.
Weston came out for the second half with renewed energy, as Britton, their goalscoring hero from the previous round, shot narrowly over. Coulson then equalized with a cool free-kick outside the box, which took a heavy deflection off the wall, leaving Smith scrambling as it bounced off the bar and went in.
Warren missed the target with a diving header from a few yards out as Grimsby kept up the pressure. Kabia then slotted in as the ball bounced out and back into the box, straight into his path, making it 2-1. Weston refused to give up, as Coulson crossed a free-kick, and it was nodded on to Britton, who found the net again, to the delight of the traveling fans.
However, Grimsby eventually found a way through as Green looped a header over Harris in the closing stages, bringing an end to Weston-super-Mare's cup run. Weston-super-Mare manager Scott Rogers expressed his disappointment, praising his team's character and efforts, but acknowledging their narrow defeat.
Player ratings were as follows: E. Lewis (8.65), J. Kabia (6.79), R. Staunton (6.03), G. McEachran (6.03), K. Green (5.85), D. Burns (5.79), H. Rodgers (5.68), J. Smith (5.51), S. Lavelle (5.16), C. Vernam (5.03), E. Khouri (4.97), J. Walker (4.77), T. Sellars-Fleming (4.71), T. Warren (4.68), C. McJannet (4.61), J. Soonsup-Bell (4.60), G. Turi (4.35).
