Town Share the Spoils with Harrogate

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 09/08/2025

GRIMSBY recovered from 1-0 and 3-1 down to rescue a point away at Harrogate Town. All six goals occurred in the second half, with striker Jaze Kabia scoring the sixth and final goal in the 92nd minute. It means Town have scored six goals in the opening two games, and maintain their unbeaten run.

David Artell named the same team that thrashed Crawley last week. Harrogate, though, made the brighter start, but lacked the final ball to really trouble the Mariners. Grimsby recovered and ended the half strongly, with Green hitting the post just before the break following a mistake. Green and Vernam then combined, with the latter going close on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a different story with chances and mistakes galore. Town were caught napping from a quick free kick, and Smith wrong-footed Rodgers and drilled a low ball past Pym, which the Grimsby 'keeper looked to see late.

Harrogate looked the more likely to add a second, but Town were able to bring on Walker and Amaluzor for Khouri and Burns with 25 minutes to go, and it soon paid dividends. Town fed the ball out to Green on the right, who crossed the ball, which Vernam side-footed from close range.

The celebrations had barely subsided when Harrogate were back in front. Pym has not covered himself in glory for the first goal, but was the main culprit for the second when he brought down McCoulsky (running towards the corner flag) for a penalty, which Taylor scored.

Harrogate looked good value for the win when they added a third when Town gave the ball away and McAleny drilled it goalwards.

With a two-goal cushion, Town's only hope was to get one and hope for a grandstand finish. An attack broke down, but the ball was played back out to Rodgers in the centre of the pitch who drilled a low strike into the bottom corner.

Harrogate could have won the game in regulation time when Taylor fired wide from a good chance. He'd end up regretting that miss as five minutes later, Town sub Gardner's header played through Kabia, who shrugged off a defender and had the composure to slot it past the 'keeper.

It was obviously a point gained, although the goals conceded will concern the Mariners. They were never threatened last week against a poor Crawley side, but showed some weaknesses against tougher opposition. The substitutions though worked well and Artell may well reconsider his starting side for the next two games.

The first of those is at Blundell Park when they play Shrewsbury in the Carabao Cup, which gives a natural opportunity to give minutes to the non-starters in the games so far.

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