A brace from Josh Walker plus a trademark goal by Curtis Bateson were the scorers for the home team. Craig Spooner had earlier grabbed the opener for the Colliers.

With the top 3 in the East Division all winning, the important result maintains a 9-point gap back to Emley in second.

Clee began confidently but were shocked in the 9th minute, when the relegation threatened visitors took the lead. Spooner made plenty of ground from deep and ghosted in at the far post to finish off a well-worked move.

Not the start that most would have been expecting on Non-League Day – however, the Owls kept their composure to turn the game round before the break.

The hosts were showcasing some good football but were initially denied by smart goalkeeping from Catterick, who kept out (N) Walker’s shot.

Nevertheless, persistence paid off when, on the balance of play, Clee deservedly equalised.

A corner was only partially cleared and a fierce Foster drive was beaten out by Catterick. On this occasion though, the stopper’s luck was out. Top-scorer (J) Walker was quickest to react and gobbled up his 19th League strike of the campaign.

This was quite quickly followed by the prolific striker’s 20th!

Braithwaite picked up the ball in centre field and accelerated forward, before finding (J) Walker with a lovely pass. The number 9 still had plenty to do but, after creating a yard of space for himself, found the target with a precise finish into the bottom corner.

In added time, it seemed that a 3rd was going to arrive, but the woodwork came to Ashington’s rescue.

HT Cleethorpes Town 2 Ashington 1

The second period produced less excitement for the home faithful.

Importantly though, the well-marshalled rearguard never really looked like conceding, which sent the vast majority of a good-sized crowd back along Clee Road in high spirits.

It took until the 77th minute to ensure all the spoils would remain in Lincolnshire.

Vann jumped high to deliver a towering header towards Bateson on the left flank. The winger cut inside a couple of covering defenders before sensing a delightful curler into the net.

Now with a comfortable cushion, the Owls managed the remaining time well, ensuring there was no way back into the match for the Northumberland outfit.

FT Cleethorpes Town 3 Ashington 1

Team:

1. Ollie Battersby
2. Ben Middleton
3. Connor Smythe
4. Jack Vann (sub 89 replaced by 15. Dan Gallimore)
5. Callum Foster
6. Connor O’Grady
7. Curtis Bateson (sub 89 replaced by 17. Alfie Taylor)
8. Brad Abbott (captain)
9. Josh Walker (sub 86 replaced by 16. Will Annan)
10. Aaron Braithwaite (sub 82 replaced by 12. Adam Haw)
11. Nicky Walker (sub 82 replaced by 14. Brad Dockerty)

Goals: Josh Walker 27, 40, Curtis Bateson 77

Bookings: Jack Vann, Brad Abbott

Ashington goal: Craig Spooner 9

Ashington bookings: none

Attendance: 381

Man-of-the-match (generously sponsored by the Coach House): Josh Walker

Next up: Tuesday 25th March (7.45pm) – Senior Cup Final – LNER Stadium (Lincoln City FC) v Scunthorpe United

Picture credit: Jake Norman

UP THE OWLS!