Town’s youth team booked their place in the next round of the Youth Alliance Cup with an impressive 3-0 victory away at Carlisle United on Tuesday afternoon.
The Mariners made the long journey north to Sheepmount for the knockout tie and took the lead midway through the first half when Josh Edwards curled a superb free kick into the corner of the net from 25 yards.
Town carried their advantage into the break before doubling it shortly after the restart, with Harvey Booth reacting quickest to fire home after Fortune Jack’s header had been brilliantly saved and bounced back off the crossbar.
Jack then got himself on the scoresheet to put the result beyond doubt, finding space inside the penalty area before finishing to secure a comfortable victory and send the Mariners through to the next round.
FIRST HALF
Carlisle made a positive start and looked to test the Town defence, with the hosts having a number of attempts from distance during the opening stages, although none caused Rhys Hall any real problems in the Mariners’ goal.
Town gradually grew into the contest and broke the deadlock on 25 minutes through a moment of quality from Edwards.
The midfielder stepped up to take a free kick from around 25 yards and produced an excellent strike, finding the corner of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The goal gave the Mariners something to build on as they looked to take control of the tie, and they held their advantage through to half-time.
SECOND HALF
Town made the perfect start to the second half as they doubled their lead shortly after the restart.
Jack rose highest to meet an opportunity with a fantastic header which looked destined for the net, but the Carlisle goalkeeper produced a spectacular save to turn the ball onto the crossbar.
However, the rebound fell kindly for Booth, who reacted quickest to smash the ball home and make it 2-0 to the Mariners.
Grimsby continued to look dangerous and put the tie beyond doubt with their third goal.
Jack found himself unmarked inside the penalty area and made no mistake with his finish, firing past the goalkeeper to seal a 3-0 victory.
The result sees the Mariners progress to the next round of the Youth Alliance Cup following an excellent away performance.
Town: Hall, Golding, Pratt, Catchpole, Binks, Edwards, Booth, Hutton, Jack, Manyika, Sharp.
Subs: Roberts, Chisholm, Neagu.
UTM
