30th January 2018

Mitch Rose was dismissed early on for a dangerous challenge before Lewis Wing poked Yeovil into the lead.

On the hour, Karleigh Osborne received his marching orders for a second yellow and substitute Browne added a second for the Glovers against his former club.

Gray wrapped things up on 76 minutes with a smart effort at the back post to seal the Green and Whites’ first three points in the league in 2018.

Alefe Santos was granted his first league start since the reverse fixture against Grimsby back in September – the only change from Friday’s Emirates FA Cup loss to Manchester United. 

Barnsley loanee Jared Bird was rested while new recruits Alex Fisher, Ryan Seager and Shaun Donnellan took up places on the bench.

Neither keeper was called into action during the opening exchanges but referee Charles Breakspear was.

The official dismissed Grimsby’s Rose for a vile scissor-tackle on Jordan Green with just six minutes on the clock.

Yeovil edged their backline up the field as a result of their extra man and Francois Zoko hit wide with an overhead kick before Green and Sam Surridge both hacked over. 

Dropping deep, the visitors provided a threat on the break and Jamille Matt fired low at Artur Krysiak; the Polish stopper needing two attempts to fully grasp the drive.

But it was the only chance of note the Mariners had early on and Town punished them for wasting it. 

Wing threaded through to Zoko whose slightly overhit delivery pushed Green into a wide position. The tricky winger poked into Wing’s path and the Middlesbrough attacker had time to turn and slot home between Ben Killip’s legs.

Confidence was building in the Glovers’ ranks so much so that Wing attempted an ambitious first-time effort from 25 yards soon after, only to find the away terrace.

Ex-Shildon man Wing had a similar attempt on the half-hour then struck narrowly wide on the half-volley. 

Jake Gray’s bouncer picked up off the greasy and forced Killip to fumble and the former Luton Town midfielder’s corner was later headed into the away stopper’s arms by Omar Sowunmi.

Bizarrely Luke Summerfield and Osborne had to be pulled apart by team-mates as Grimsby’s frustrations seemed to boil over minutes before the interval. The latter was booked – a card which would later come back to haunt him.

Darren Way’s men were quick out of the blocks in the second half as was Killip who smothered at the feet of Surridge on 46 minutes to deny the forward a shot after good work from Green and Tom James.

As the game lulled the only action was James lashing into the Thatchers terrace and a couple of home substitutes before Grimsby had another man sent off.

This time it was Osborne who received a second bookable offence for a foul on Gray.

Town had already experienced playing against nine men just a month ago and they learned how to make the most of their two-player advantage this time around.

Wing’s shot deflected to Browne and from close range he dispatched his sixth goal of the season.

Straight down the other end, Diallang Jaiyesimi almost pulled on back but he ended his mazy run with a shot just past the far post.

The game was wrapped up with just under quarter of an hour to go. James’ strike was parried to the corner of the six-yard box and Gray squeezed the ball in from a tight angle with a helping hand from the post.

Zoko went close to adding a fourth with a header as did Gray with a fierce attempt; Browne had a shot cleared off the line in injury time but three goals was enough In a game the hosts dominated throughout. 

Yeovil Town: Krysiak, James, Sowunmi, N.Smith, Dickson, Santos, Gray, Wing, Green (Browne 57), Surridge (Fisher 51), Zoko (Seager 81).
Bookings: None.
Not Used: Maddison, Whelan, Donnellan, C.Smith.

Grimsby Town: Killip, Osborne, Clarke, Collins, Mills, Berrett, Summerfield, Rose, Dixon (Jaiyesimi 46), Matt (Wilks 73), Vernam (Clifton 78).
Bookings:
Summerfield 24, Osborne 39, 60, Dixon 44
Sendings off: Rose 6, Osborne 60.
Not Used: Warrington, Woolford, Vernon, Cardwell.