Grimsby Town 4 Aldershot Town 1
The Shots succumbed to a second-half blitz from Grimsby Town as The Mariners enjoyed a degree of good fortune but eventually ran out convincing winners.
Charlie Walker had snatched a first-half lead for the visitors after Grimsby had spurned several early chances, but – with the catalyst of a hotly-disputed penalty converted by Omar Bogle – they scored four second-half goals despite a fine performance from substitute goalkeeper Dan Thomas.
Minutes after Walker had hooked the ball in from six yards, as Luke Oliver met Nick Anderton’s free-kick with a strong knockdown, Phil Smith suffered a groin strain in dealing with a high cross, but Thomas acquitted himself superbly in just his third appearance for The Shots.
He produced a number of fine saves – including Bogle’s second penalty of the afternoon – but the National League’s top scorers were nonetheless able to display their attacking prowess as Bogle grabbed his second alongside strikes from Amond and Arnold.
GTFC: McKeown; East, Pearson, Nsiala, Robertson; Arnold (Tait 89), Robinson (Clay 87), Disley, Monkhouse; Amond (Pittman 87), Bogle. Subs: Mackreth, Venney
ATFC: Smith (Thomas 34); Alexander, Oliver, Beckles, Anderton; D Walker, Gallagher, Harris (Hatton 59), Stevenson; Brodie, C Walker (Barnes-Homer 78). Subs: Lathrope, Saville
