Weston gave a fine performance at Grimsby, before bowing out of this season’s FA Trophy competition.

GRIMSBY TOWN 3

WESTON-S-MARE 1

Weston can feel proud of their performance despite bowing out of this season’s FA Trophy against a Grimsby squad who are lying third in the National Premier League.

At times, especially in the second half, Weston played as good football as the hosts, the only difference between the teams was Grimsby’s clinical finishing.

Weston were missing striker Tristan Plummer, who picked up a knock in the midweek game against Wealdstone, so skipper Dayle Grubb partnered Scott Wilson up front.

The visitors at the impressive Blundell Park made a bright start early on, Wilson testing keeper James McKeown, but as the Mariners got going Weston keeper Luke Purnell did well to punch Josh Venney’s effort to safety.

Grimbsy took the lead on 11 minutes when Omar Bogle fed Danny East on the left who crossed for Marcus Marshall to chest down for Conor Henderson to beat Purnell from 30 yards with a low shot. Minutes later East cracked an effort off the angle of post and bar with Purnell beaten.

Weston drew level on 23 minutes when Wilson fed Jake Mawford wide on the left who made ground and crossed for Grubb to beat McKeown.

The Mariners regained the lead a minute from the interval when Henderson fed Bogle who scored at the third attempt, Purnell saving twice.

Weston enjoyed their best spell early in the second half, forcing four successive corners, and in another attack, McKeown had to fling himself to his right to beat out Grubb’s free kick.

Grimsby struck again on 62 minutes when from nothing, Jon-Paul Pitman scored with a shot on the turn.

Weston kept going with Grubb going close with another free kick and Wilson ending a strong run on the right by firing narrowly across goal.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Grimsby, Henderson (11), Bogle (44), Pitman (62). Weston, Grubb (23).

Shots on target: Grimsby 8, Weston 4.

Shots off tarket: Grimsby 3, Weston 3.

Corners: Grimsby 6, Weston 8.

Offside: Grimsby 2.

Free kicks conceded: Grimsby 14, Weston 13.

Referee: Oliver Yates. Good game.

Bookings: Grimsby, Pitman Pearson. Weston, Barnes, Cane.

Attendance: 1,230.

Weston squad: Purnell, Withey (Llewellyn 65), Barnes, Cane, Keary, Fortune, McClennan (Edge 82), Mawford (Pope 76), Wilson, Grubb, Byrne. Sub (not used): Wring.

On Saturday, Weston return to Vanarama Conference South duty with a first-ever visit by Maidstone United, who lie second in the table with 47 points from 25 games.