Two goals from Jamie Osbourne sealed a place in the next round of the NCEL League cup following their 3-1 victory tonight over fellow NCEL Division one side Hallam.

A much changed line-up from Saturdays win against Hall Road Rangers saw Reece Newell, Ricky Belding and Matthew Oswin all start for the first time this season which also saw the return of leading goal scorer Marc Cooper after he had missed the previous two encounters through a head injury sustained in the sides 2-1 win over Selby Town earlier this month.

The game started with a high tempo and the first chance came after just three minutes when Hallam’s James Cook produced a wonderful cross shot which clipped the top of Miles Fenty’s goal. Hallam sustained this pressure when their number 10 attempted an ambitious overhead kick but this didn’t trouble the owl’s keeper.

John Gaughan, making his sixth appearance of the season then floated a delightful ball over the top of the Hallam defence but found Marc Cooper lingering just inches off side. Just one minute later a free kick was awarded just outside the box for the owls and Marc Sawyer tried to capitalise on this opportunity and he drilled the ball low but off target.

After a goalless 15 minutes a huge opportunity for John Gaughan came about from a short corner where Reece Newell whipped the ball into the near post but the centre back who has failed to score this season couldn’t poke the ball home from three yards out.

Ricky Belding was next to try and test the Hallam keeper but he failed to hit the target after he was set clear from a long ball by Marc Cooper. The opening goal came moments after this after Marc Cooper and Ricky Belding linked cleverly together to set up Jamie Osbourne for his second goal of the season; a delightful move that pleased the on-looking manager Marcus Newell.

Richard Peck, the only man to have been featured in all of the owls first 10 games showed just why with some excellent defending after a deep cross just evaded an on rushing Hallam striker.

Hallam’s keeper nearly gifted a goal to the owls just before half time when he tried to out wit Jamie Osbourne who managed to out muscle the keeper but he just couldn’t manage to find a fellow Cleethorpes Town player who would have surely put the ball into the back if the net.

The owls went into the half time break knowing that Hallam would come out for the second half searching for an equaliser and to not switch off like they did just four days ago against Hall Road Rangers.

Just two minutes into the second half, Reece Newell found space on the right hand side and the 19 year old midfielder curled a deep cross into the box and Richard Peck nodded it goal bound only for it to bounce and clip the post, bouncing and then to a Hallam defender who cleared. The next opportunity fell to Ricky Belding who’s glancing header narrowly missed the target. Matthew Oswin then linked up well with Marc Cooper and Oswin making his fifth appearance of the season held off three Hallam defenders but was then thwarted by the fourth as he was bearing down on goal.

Back to back wonderous saves from Miles Fenty kept Hallam out as the first effort from Nicky Owen was tipped over and then Carlton Dickinson unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards which had the 23 year old scrambling to his right to make a diving save that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Premier League.

Hallam equalised with only 16 minutes left on the clock after a long free kick from Carlton Dickinson found Khalid Alali unmarked inside the six yard box to head home for the equaliser. Just 60 seconds later the owls took the lead again after Ricky Belding headed home his first goal of the season after Reece Newell twisted and turned to find space on the right for a delightful cross to the back post.

With Hallam pushing forward for their second equaliser this left space and holes in their defence and this was exploited by substitute Nathan Emson who’s curling effort had to be smartly saved by Hallam’s keeper. The owls third goal came with only five minutes to go after a great reverse ball from Marc Cooper found Jamie Osbourne in acres of space to run clear and slot home his second of the game making him tonight’s man of the match.

Hallam did further push forward in the last few minutes with James Cook testing Miles Fenty’s reactions. Into injury time the game went and the last notable action came when Nathan Emson chased after a long ball on the right but his squared ball could not find Marc Cooper with the goal gaping.

The final whistle blew shortly after and Cleethorpes Town were safely into the next round of the NCEL League Cup. Marcus Newell and his side are now looking forward to a historic day on Saturday when they will be travelling to Basford United in their first ever match in the FA Vase.