Stephenson's rocket fires Borough to win

GRIMSBY Borough beat high-flying Askern Villa 1-0 in the Northern Counties East League Division One

Late withdrawals forced changes to the Borough line-up for the big clash at the Hawthorns, Brigg.

Luke Mascall played at full-back, while the unavailability of Rick Forrest, Dean Newby and Nathan Emson allowed John Toyne to slot in at left-back.

The return from injury of front two Lee Stephenson and Luke Fanthorpe provided a boost.

Borough immediately got at the Askern back four when Mascall knocked a ball in behind Hill for Jack Debnam to run on to, but his cross was over-hit.

Askern were happy to keep the ball at the back, switching from one full-back to the other.

Borough had to keep a tight shape and stay solid as the visitors looked a threat with the energetic midfield two of Wilkinson and Walker.

Liam Tuck and Dave Unsworth, in the middle of defence, worked overtime to quell an onslaught from Askern.

Debnam took a bad knock and the youngster was forced off for treatment.

The Grimsby side got some luck when an unmarked Ferguson smashed a header from eight yards onto the underside of the bar, with Graves well-beaten.

Debnam returned to the fray and Borough put a good move together.

Matt Oswin found Fanthorpe, who held off Fisher to find Oswin, and he slipped Debnam in.

Debnam curled a fine shot goalwards, but keeper Liam Scully turned it around for a corner.

After the break, Borough started to get decent balls into their front men with better support from Oswin and Steel.

Fanthorpe almost put Borough one-up, but a brilliant last-ditch clearance from Hill saved Villa.

Graves then came to the rescue for Borough when he blocked with his legs after Taylor had rounded Mascall.

Mike King replaced Nick Brown for the last 20 minutes.

Borough got their reward on 80 minutes when Steel robbed Mundy and the loose ball was picked up by Stephenson.

He drove into the box and shot, but Scully was equal to it and parried away.

Stephenson was quickest to follow up and smashed it into the empty net.

Askern piled on the pressure for the last 10 minutes with Walker hitting a post and then Vickerage smashed what looked like the equaliser against the upright with Graves beaten.

Centre-backs Fisher and Smith both had free headers from corners, but both went over.

Borough survived and ran the clock down to record an impressive victory over one of the fancied teams.

The Grimsby side have now beaten each of the top three teams, but need to start beating the lesser sides if they are to climb the league.

Team: Graves, Mascall, Toyne, Steel, Unsworth, Tuck, Debnam, Fanthorpe, Stephenson, Oswin, Brown. Subs: King, Newby, Fanthorpe.