An Adam Rooney hat-trick helped to catapult the Bards into Monday’s draw, despite the fact that Clee had created a number of chances before the opening goal.

Jack McMenemy was injured in the warm-up, so Dave Smith promoted Leon Dawson into the starting XI, as follows:

Goal: Tom Jackson
Defence: Tim Lowe, Jordon Cooke, James Williamson, Leon Dawson
Midfield: Will Annan, Alex Flett (c), Sam Topliss
Attack: Jon Oglesvy Dec Howe, Curtis Bateson

Subs: Tyler Edwards, Brody Robertson, Rio Molyneaux

Lovely conditions at kick-off for the shirt-sleeved crowd, who were expectant that the home side could upset their higher-ranked opponents.

For long periods of the opening half, this looked a definite possibility.

Bateson twice went close to grabbing the initiative. Then, a Cooke header flew a yard wide, before a marvellous move culminated with Oglesby hitting a shot against the meat of the post.

The prolific Rooney made no mistake when his first clear opportunity appeared just before the interval. Capitalising on a misplaced pass, the striker glided between two defenders and fired beyond Jackson.

HT Cleethorpes Town 0 Stratford Town 1 (Rooney 42)

Within moments of the restart, Clee thought they had equalised. An in-swinging corner from the right deceived the keeper and, from the fans’ reaction at the Church End, looked as though it may have crossed the line. The assistant did not signal in favour of a goal.

This proved to be pivotal.

Rooney did not need asking twice to clinically double the lead after 52 minutes. To the naked eye in the Main Stand, there was certainly a strong suspicion of offside but, with no flag, the front-man finished with aplomb.

An uphill task now and, although the Owls battled with great heart, the writing was on the wall.

When Rooney tapped in from close-range, the tie was over as a contest. The pick-of-the-day was saved to last. Dan Lafferty fired a drive into the roof of the net to the delight of the travelling support from Warwickshire.

FT Cleethorpes Town 0 Stratford Town 4 (Rooney 42, 50, 60, Lafferty 80) Attendance: 243

Well played to Stratford – best of luck to you for the rest of the season.

For us, as my Dad used to say to me, there’s always next year… bonny lad!!

Hope to see you at Prescot on Saturday, when our FA Trophy campaign begins.

(Picture credit: Hayden Newbegin)

UP THE OWLS!