Harambee Stars defender Clarke Oduor found the back of the net as Grimsby Town registered an emphatic 5-3 victory over Everton Under 21s in their final Vertu Motors Trophy group stage match played on a rainy Tuesday night at Blundell Park.
Despite neither side having a chance to progress to the knockout stages, the encounter turned into a lively contest filled with end-to-end action, goals, and individual brilliance.
The Premier League academy side struck first through Jacob Beaumont-Clark, capitalizing on a midfield error by Oduor.
However, the Kenyan international made amends later in the first half with a composed finish that helped Grimsby turn the game around.
After conceding early, the Mariners regrouped and equalized through Jamie Walker, who drilled home from close range following a defensive lapse by Everton.
Oduor then produced a moment of quality just before halftime, receiving Walker’s incisive pass and delicately chipping the advancing goalkeeper Harry Tyrer to give Grimsby a 2-1 lead heading into the break.
It was Oduor’s first goal for the club since joining from Bradford City in the summer, and it came at a crucial moment to swing momentum in the Mariners’ favor.
The second half saw Grimsby extend their dominance. Zak Gilsenan, on his first competitive start, made it 3-1 with a thunderous strike into the roof of the net seven minutes after the restart.
Walker completed his brace soon after, finishing off Staunton’s cross to put the game beyond Everton’s reach at 4-1.
Everton showed some resilience, with William Tamen heading in from a corner to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
But Grimsby’s attacking intent didn’t fade, and Reece Staunton restored the three-goal cushion with a deflected effort in the dying minutes. George Morgan scored a late consolation for the young Toffees, ending the match 5-3.
For Oduor, the goal was a confidence booster as he continues to impress in England’s lower leagues.
The Kenyan defender, known for his versatility and attacking instints.His performance will surely be encouraging news for Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, who has been keeping tabs on his foreign-based players.
Grimsby Town’s focus now shifts back to League Two action as they prepare for a weekend trip to Barrow.