GRIMSBY Town got back to winning ways this pre-season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a youthful Sunderland XI last night.
A tenth-minute tap-in from Lenell John-Lewis and fine late effort from Paddy McLaughlin were enough for the Mariners, who could have had more on a night when they dominated the Premier League youngsters.
After signing a one-year deal with the Mariners the day before, Craig Clay partnered namesake Disley in the heart of midfield, flanked by Scott Neilson and youngster Caine Winfarrah.
Town registered the evening's first effort when Shaun Pearson climbed well to power a header on target from a Neilson corner while, a minute later, Ross Hannah lifted an effort over the bar after a sharp passage of play.
But it wasn't long before Town's early pressure paid off as they deservedly opened the scoring after excellent work from Paul Walker.
The full-back burst on to a clipped pass from fellow Academy product Winfarrah and showed impressive strength to outmuscle the backtracking defender before squaring to John-Lewis, who bundled home from yards out.
It was nothing less than Paul Hurst's side deserved following a bright opening to the game – and they had presentable chance to double that advantage just short of the 20 minute mark.
However, after finding himself in space on the edge of the box, John-Lewis dragged a shot wide of goal, rather than playing in strike-partner Hannah, which looked the better option.
Two minutes after the half-hour mark, Town forced Max Stryjek into two smart saves when he kept out Hannah's close-range volley following a mistake a defender before springing up to palm away Winfarrah's well-hit follow-up as the hosts finished the half strongly.
Scott Brown and Carl Magnay were introduced at the break with Clay and Bignot making way, but those changes didn't break Town's rhythm.
Minutes after the restart, only the ball juggling skills of Stryjek prevented Hurst's side from grabbing a second when he claimed Hannah's cross with John-Lewis waiting to pounce.
But an error from the Black Cats keeper almost gifted Town a second goal five minutes before the hour mark when John-Lewis charged down his woeful attempt at a clearance, but sent his attempted lob wide.
Neilson then stung the palms of Stryjek after waltzing through midfield, before McLaughlin and Ellis Humble entered the fray, with the impressive Walker forced off injured.
With those changes came a new system, as Town switched to a 4-3-3, and that new-look front-line immediately carved out a gilt-edged opportunity as Neilson played in Hannah, whose snapshot was blocked by Stryjek.
Having not had much to do for the best part of 70 minutes, McKeown was alert enough to keep out Rees Greenwood's close-range effort before foiling the same man again minutes later when he acrobatically clawed away his curling effort from the edge of the box.
McKeown's opposite number was soon called into action when he palmed away a fierce Neilson effort from just inside the area, while as the game entered the last ten minutes, he awkwardly shovelled Hannah's close-range strike around his post.
But as the game headed into the last five minutes, McLaughlin produced a moment of real quality to finally grab Town's second when he curled the ball superbly past Stryjek to round off a comfortable – and encouraging – night's work for the hosts.
Town: McKeown, Walker (McLaughlin 62), Nsiala, Pearson (Humble 62), Bignot (Magnay 45), Neilson (Mackreth 78), Disley, Clay (Brown 45), Winfarrah, John-Lewis (Pittman 68), Hannah. Not used: Bastock.
Attendance: 1,138 (37 away)
