Academy move three points clear at the top with win at Grimsby

Town's Academy side moved three points clear at the top of the EFL Youth Alliance NE Division with a 2-0 win away at third-placed Grimsby.

There were three changes in the side which saw Alex Mooney, James Moorby and Ollie Nicholson come into the starting line up.

Two brilliant deliveries from Nicholson helped set up two first half goals for Moorby and Mason Wilson to help Town get the win. 

The opening goal came when Nicholson delivered a fantastic ball to the back post that Moorby headed home from close range making it 1-0 to Town in the 16th minute 

A beautiful backheel from Finn O’Boyle to play Emmanuel Ilesanmi down the line nearly lead to a second, the striker cut it back to Josh Brodella, whose shot was saved. The rebound fell to Ilesanmi but the angle was too tight to beat the keeper.

Grimsby were awarded a dangerous freekick in the 34th minute that was heading for the bottom left corner, but was saved by Mooney and cleared.

The hosts got another freekick minutes later, this time striking the woodwork and going out for a goal kick. 

Town doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Wilson got on the end of a low driven freekick by Nicholson and flicked the ball over the keepers head.

In the second half, Grimsby's striker was played in behind and rounded the keeper on the edge of the box, but Ben Tweed made a vital block to prevent Grimsby from scoring.

In the 68th minute, Ilesanmi found Brad Williams down the line who crossed towards O’Boyle to head narrowly wide.

The final attempt of the game went the way of Town as Ilesanmi found space down the left hand side and crossed towards Elijah Samuels in the box, but Grimsby were able to clear.

Josh Law's side now face three consecutive fixtures on the road starting with a trip to Scunthorpe on Tuesday morning.

Harrogate Town: Mooney, Williams, Moorby (Birmingham 85), Wilson, Attree, Taylor, Brodella (Liddle 56) , Tweed, Ilesanmi, O’Boyle (80), Nicholson (Smalley 85) 

Subs not used: Shepherd

Goals: Moorby (16), Wilson (40)

Booked: Ilesanmi (90)

Report by Oliver Forrest