Grimsby Town stunned by rejuvenated United and ex-Barnet man

Aug 22 2010 By Nick Bell

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Grimsby Town 1-2 Hayes & Yeading

A MAN of the Match performance from goalkeeper Lee Harrison provided the shock result of the weekend in the Blue Square Bet Premier for Hayes & Yeading United.

Garry Haylock's men bounced back in spectacular style from their 5-0 midweek drubbing at Eastbourne by beating relegated Football League side Grimsby on their own patch.

Ex-Lincoln City midfielder Jamie Hand haunted his old club's local rivals with a first-half wonder goal on his Hayes & Yeading debut and Bradley Pritchard's 69^th minute strike rendered Alan Connell's stoppage time strike as academic.

Hand's opener came in the 19^th minute with a stunning shot from 25 yards after he latched onto a pass from Ben Wright.

But Hayes & Yeading's defence and, in particular, ex-Barnet goalkeeper Harrison (pictured), had to be on top form to secure all three points for the visitors.

Grimsby's possession failed to yield much in the way of chances as they were frustrated by a stubborn United defence, youngster Charlie Wassmer replacing the injured Tom Cadmore at the back.

And when they did get through, they found Harrison in inspired form.

First, he blocked Michael Coulson’s low shot with his legs and before half time he tipped a header over the bar from the same player.

The visitors started the second half on the front foot and could have been in front within seconds of the kick off.

Pritchard and Wright combined to set-up Peter Holmes and only a last-ditch clearance from Dwayne Samuels stopped the Hayes & Yeading skipper from notching the second.

The pressure started to build though from the hosts and Darren Kempson struck a post, before Connell was denied by Harrison yet again as the goalkeeper pulled off a remarkable save.

But the visitors punished Grimsby with what turned out to be the winner after Holmes put Pritchard through and he finished off emphatically from an acute angle.

Robert Eagles almost set-up a grandstand finish when his free-kick struck the crossbar, but when Connell finally beat Harrison with a 25-yard lob it offered nothing but a consolation.