SKYBET League Two

FOREST GREEN ROVERS 0

GRIMSBY TOWN  3

JJ HOOPER bagged a second-half hat-trick as Grimsby Town earned a 3-0 victory on the final day of the season at Forest Green.

Hooper broke the deadlock on 51 minutes when he stretched to toe-end the ball over the line. He grabbed his second on 83 minutes with a sumptuous angled strike and six minutes later completed his smash and grab with a howitzer from 25 yards.

On a sun-kissed final day of the season, Cooper made three changes to the team that lost last time out at Luton Town.

Charlie Cooper replaced Chris Clements who was unable to play against his parent club. Brad Collins returned in goal following his concussion with new dad Dale Belford returning to the bench.

Reuben Reid resumed his striking duties and Dayle Grubb started on the bench. Cooper also named academy graduate Tommy Anderson on the bench following his season long loan at Cirencester Town.

With both teams safe from any final day relegation fears, the tempo could have been low key, but the tempo was as hot as the weather.

Town are unbeaten in their last four games, having put together three victories and a draw to stay clear of the drop zone. And they started the brighter of the two teams with a front-foot assault.

Former Grimsby player Gavin Gunning had spoken of his dislike of his former club before the game and the Mariners’ fans were cheering when he incurred a yellow for a cynical foul on Luke Summerfield after having his pocket picked on 18 minutes.

Christian Doidge’s 25 goals have proved vital in securing a second season in the EFL, but he was found wanting on 37 minutes.

Set free by Reid, Doidge was denied by the alert James McKeown who smothered at his feet.

As the half drew to a close, Rovers were finding their feet- Cooper created space and his deflected shot squirmed wide and then Scott Laird watched his curling free-kick clawed away by McKeown.

Grimsby broke the deadlock on 51 minutes. Sloppy defending allowed  Hooper the chance to stretch and toe-end the ball over the line. Rovers responded – Laird’s stinger warming the gloves of McKeown.

Cooper saw his downward header miraculously scooped away by McKeown and Doidge’s follow-up was blocked.

With 30 minutes to go, Alex Bray and Dayle Grubb were introduced for Reece Brown and Isaiah Osbourne.

Referee Seb Stockridge hobbled off to be replace by fourth official Adam Bromley with 20 minutes to go.

Hooper grabbed his second in the 83rd minute with a sweet finish inside the box and completed his hat-trick with a sumptuous hit from 25 yards.

FOREST GREEN (4-4-2): B Collins, L Collins, Hollis, Rawson, Laird; Gunning, Osbourne (Grubb 60), Cooper, Brown (Bray 60); Doidge, Reid (Campbell 70)

Subs not used: Belford Simpson, Anderson, Wishart

GRIMSBY TOWN (4-4-2): McKeown, Clarke, Collins, Rose (Berrett 87), Hooper, Clifton, Cardwell (Matt 78), Summerfield, Fox, Woolford, Hall-Johnson (Davies 63)

Attendance: 3,880

Away: 814

Star Man: Scott Laird