Our Women’s First Team were back to winning ways yesterday as they overcame local rivals Grimsby Borough in a game that saw nine goals
Despite trailing by a goal to nil inside ten minutes, a hat trick from Beth Wharton, as well as strikes from Abbie Emslie and Lily Jacklin and a spot-kick from captain Dani Brighton allowed the Mariners to travel back across town with the three points.
Ben Challen made two changes to his side who were on the losing side last time out against Gainsborough Trinity. Ellisha Mortimer made her Mariner’s debut in between the sticks on a dual signing from Rossington Main ladies and Lily Jacklin earned herself a starting position, seeing Harriet Dalton back in her more familiar right-back position.
The hosts took the lead inside ten minutes, and it took the Mariners almost 20 minutes to respond with the equaliser. Olivia Kershaw sent in a free-kick and Emslie rose to head the ball into the back of the net to bring the score level.
The Mariners took the lead before the break and this time it was Jacklin who latched onto a Kershaw set piece, holding off two Borough defenders and finishing well from close-range.
Wharton was on target just a couple of minutes after the restart. A delightful through ball from Leah Wray met the feet of the striker who was through on goal and finished confidently for her first goal of the game.
The Wray, Wharton link-up proved worthy again for the Mariner’s fourth goal of the afternoon. Wray played a brilliant ball behind the back of the Borough defence and Wharton was there at the back post to meet it.
The hosts got a second goal not long after that, but the goals kept coming for the visitors, as Emslie got her brace. A shot from Alisha Dejonge ricocheted off the post and without knowing too much about it, the ball came off Emslie and found its way into the back of the net.
Town were awarded a penalty following a shove in the area on Ray Swallow and it was captain Dani Brighton who confidently stepped up and placed the ball into the back of the net from the spot shortly after.
Wharton got her hat trick and substitute Laura Flecknor made an instant impact off the bench as she assisted the forward for her third and the final goal of the game to round of an impressive afternoon.
The Mariners are next in action on Sunday when they welcome Sheffield FC in the League Cup.
Town: Mortimer, Dalton, Thorpe, Kershaw, Wray, Brighton, Jacklin, Welsh, Emslie, Dejonge, Wharton
Subs: Flecknor, Fawcett, Gray, Swallow, Barker