Match Report: South Shields 4-3 Grimsby Town

South Shields earned their first home victory of pre-season after beating Grimsby Town 4-3 in the Mariners Cup.

Bryan Taylor scored his first goal as a Mariner as Sam Hodgson's second-half brace are his first goals since his return from loan last season.

The fixture stood as a tribute to Shields captain Robert Briggs for his outstanding service to the Club which has seen him play over 400 games.

Shields were looking to build upon two pre-season wins in a row during the midweek against Shildon and Boldon CA.

Grimsby came up to South Tyneside after an away loss to York in their previous fixture.

Elliott Dickman made one late addition to his side in the form of Gateshead loanee Jamie Bramwell, who used to ply his trade at Blundell Park.

Bryan Taylor opened the scoring for Shields in the 27th minute as Mackenzie Heaney's cross-in found the head of the young full-back at the far post.

It took Grimsby six minutes to equalise through Charles Vernam's close-range finish into the roof of the net.

On 40 minutes, Paul Blackett found the 1st Cloud Arena net for the first time this season after being fed through by Will Jenkins to slot home and give Shields the lead going into the break.

Callum Ainley pegged Shields back four minutes after the restart by slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net past Myles Boney.

Sam Hodgson restored the lead for Shields less than ten minutes later courtesy of Paul Blackett turning provider for his strike partner.

Grimsby would equalise for the third time in the game in the 77th minute through Lewis Cass who rose higher than anyone to head the ball past Boney and keep his team in the contest.

In less than three minutes, Shields were back in front as captain Briggs crossed in for Hodgson to get his second of the game and surely win the Mariners Cup for Shields.

South Shields: Boney, Taylor (Shepherd '69), Bramwell, Broadbent, Heaney, Briggs (C), Ward, Jenkins, Mee, Blackett (Savage '69), Hodgson

Unused subs: Crossley, Seymour, Gomes, Watts, McGowan, Sloan

Goals: Taylor ('27), Blackett ('40), Hodgson ('58, '80)