After the important last-gasp equaliser at Chasetown in the week, it was a welcome return to Bradley for a first home league fixture for a month. Lower mid-table Loughborough Dynamo made the journey from the East Midlands, looking to avenge their home 2-0 defeat from earlier in the campaign.

The Owls had drawn their last three Evostik fixtures and today had the feel of a must win game if the play-offs were to be achieved. Clee were protecting a proud run of ten unbeaten in the league whilst Dynamo now seemed to be safe from the spectre of relegation.

Marcus Newell made four changes from midweek, as the full squad would be needed in the closing weeks of the season. Sam Vince, Tim Lowe, Liam Dickens and Matt Bloomer were all welcomed back to the starting XI. The quartet replaced David Birch, Loz McKay, Jack Richardson and Oli Donald respectively.

The afternoon got underway in pleasant enough conditions and the Owls began in a positive manner. Josh Lacey fired over from long-range and, on 10 minutes, an excellent move between Curtis Bateson and Alex Flett fashioned an opportunity for Jon Oglesby. The winger’s curling effort went just the wrong side of the upright.

Oglesby was again involved when a defender blocked the ball after a teasing corner from Flett. Dynamo reacted with their first chance when Tolani Omotola half-volleyed a couple of yards over Vince’s goal. The lively Bateson was popping up all over the park and nearly engineered a chance for Danny North but a timely interception rescued the situation for the visitors.

Dynamo almost opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Vince was required do make an excellent double save. This jolted the Owls into their best period of play thus far. Fine vision from Flett spotted the run of Brody Robertson and the striker’s low drive required away stopper Charlie Taylor to spread himself well.

Pressure was mounting and the breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute. A typically flowing move from Clee was finished off by Bateson, who side-footed home from 12 yards. This was his first goal since arriving from Gainsborough Trinity and well deserved for his endeavours.

North went very close to doubling the Owls’ lead in the 42nd minute. He managed to round the keeper but his shot from a narrow angle was hacked away and, in the next attack, Lacey was bundled to the floor but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.

The visitors were in danger of being overwhelmed and were glad to retreat to the sanctuary of their dressing room as Clee deservedly led at the break.

HT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Bateson 33) Loughborough Dynamo 0

Robertson was thwarted by the assistant’s flag as he burst clear but the striker was not to be denied in the 50th minute. More fine play by wingers Bateson and Oglesby carved open the defence and Robertson, who had found space in the middle, made no mistake to give the Owls breathing space.

It almost got worse for the visitors three minutes later when once again Robertson was involved. This time, however, a defender got back to intercept.

The home team had started the second period in scintillating fashion but were rocked back on their heels in the 56th minute when North was given his marching orders. It all looked pretty innocuous but the referee deemed the dangerous striker’s challenge in midfield worthy of a second yellow card.

Marc Cooper came on for Robertson as the game passed the hour mark and the big striker was immediately involved when his flick-on needed gathering by Taylor, as Oglesby loomed.

Despite being a man down, the Owls were looking comfortable but the visitors were gifted a goal in the 69th minute. Vince, who had looked commanding all afternoon, failed to clear a speculative attack from Dynamo and Alistair Smith was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net.

The management team opted for some fresh legs for the closing period with Dickens and Oglesby withdrawn. McKay and Andy Taylor entered the action as tension increased amongst the home faithful. What had appeared to be a routine afternoon for the Owls was becoming increasingly edgy.

It was ebb and flow now as first Flett tested the away keeper and then defender Mark Gray headed a foot too high as Clee attempted to seal the points. Dynamo’s goalscorer Smith skied a promising chance for the visitors.

Disaster struck with three minutes remaining when the referee showed a straight red to captain Flett. The official had been over fussy throughout and, despite not being a dirty game by any stretch of the imagination, the home team were now left to see out the victory with just nine men.

Five additional minutes were signalled as Clee maintained their composure with two banks of four repelling Dynamo’s frantic attempts to find the equaliser.

In fact, remarkably, it was the Owls who had the final word. A quick break downfield led to substitute Taylor being impeded in the area. With regular penalty taker North not being on the pitch, it was left to Bateson to confidently slot home as Clee maintained the pressure on their play-off rivals.

FT Cleethorpes Town 3 (Bateson 33, 90+4 pen, Robertson 50) Loughborough Dynamo 1 (Smith 69) Attendance: 253

What looked like being a very comfortable win at one stage could have turned sour. However, the referee’s display should not detract from a generally good performance. I was particularly impressed with Curtis Bateson, who looked a real handful.

The win takes the Owls onto 45 points and, with many games still to play, our destiny is very much in our hands. I personally feel that around 70 to 72 will be the mark needed to get into the play-offs. It will certainly take a monumental effort but, after what is bound to be a very tough test away at Alvechurch, the next run of five fixtures appear friendlier. Cautiously optimistic best sums up my mood!

A very busy time ahead with six games in twelve days, starting with one of the longest trips of the season to Worcestershire on Tuesday evening. I have listed below these fixtures, so you do not miss your football fix over Easter!

Tuesday 27th March (7.45pm) Alvechurch – away
Thursday 29th March (7.45pm) Corby Town – home
Saturday 31st March (3pm) Sheffield – away
Monday 2nd April (3pm) Lincoln United – home
Thursday 5th April (7.45pm) Gresley – away
Saturday 7th April (3pm) Peterborough Sports – home

All support will be much appreciated by the players and management as we continue to hunt down a play-off spot.

UP THE OWLS!