A much changed starting line-up saw Cleethorpes Town travel to Park Avenue after winning their previous six matches in all competitions. Second half goals from Jack Richardson, Lee Stephenson, Jonathan Ogelsby and two from Marc Cooper rounded off a comprehensive win over local rivals Louth Town to set up a second round tie with ground sharers Grimsby Borough.

The match started off very tentatively with neither side willing to give away possession in key areas of the field. This coincided with several niggily fouls being committed by both teams.

The first chance came after nine minutes when Louth Town’s player-manager whipped in a dangerous free kick which was gaol bound but out out by an Owls defender for a corner. The corner was swung in from the right and eventually made its way to their number 4 who bungled the ball home from inside the six yard box much to the disapprovement of the traveling support.

The Owls thought that they dad equalised a few minutes later after a great move found Jack Richardson in space but he fired only inches wide of the left hand post. Just moments later Lee Stephenson was fouled just on the edge of the box but play was waved on by the referee even though he had blown his whistle where the ball fell to Jamie Osbourne with the goal gaping but he could only side foot wide.

The next chance to equalise fell to Lee Stephenson, who after a great ball over the top by Ricky Forrest, half vollied the ball goalwards with Shearer-esq technique but this was just off target.

Louth Town nearly extended their league in the 34th minute when from another free kick form Daryl Clare was played deep and found their number 9 in plenty of space but his header was straight at Miles Fenty.

The less than decisive first half ended just shortly after Jamie Osbourne had a chance to equalise but could only drive the ball wide of the mark, summing up the Owls first half performance.

A half time substitution that replaced Jamie Osbourne with Marc Cooper seemed to have the desired effect as the Owls started the second half with venom and desire. The equaliser came just seven minutes into the second half when Matthew Oswin picked up the ball half way into his own half when he played a delightful ball over the top for Jack Richardson to run onto, he took it in his stride and cooly slotted home in off the post.

The Owls then took the lead just five minutes later when Lee Stephenson linked up with Marc Cooper, with the latter cushioning the ball back into Stephenson’s path for him to rival home his first goal of the season.

Louth Towns best chance to equalise came half way through the second half when their number 11 managed to spin away from his marker and shoot from 20 yards but Miles Fenty in goal was at hand to make a good save.

The Louth Town faithful were up in arms with appeals for a penalty with just over 10 minutes to go following a foul on the edge of the area, but the referee only pointed for a free kick and not the desired penalty that they were hoping for. The free kick that was then taken by Daryl Clare was powerfully driven, but over everyone’s heads.

Just moments later the ball was played up field where Jack Richardson chased a lost cause but managed to get the ball and his shot from a very tight angle hit the upright and bounced to the fortunate goal keeper.

The Owls extended their lead with little over six minutes of play remaining when Jack Richardson played a ball out wide to Luke Mascall who dinked the ball to Marc Cooper who headed home past the static Louth Town goal keeper.

With only one minute of normal time remaining a long ball from the Cleethorpes Town defence was missed by everybody apart from Jonathan Ogelsby who duly collects the ball and rounds the goal keeper to slot home his seventh goal of the season.

The scoring was complete when in injury time Luke Mascall tricked and twisted his way past the Louth Town right back to square the ball to Marc Cooper who slots home his second of the evening to send the Owls into the next round of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy Northern Section where the Owls will face local rivals Grimsby Borough in the #BattleOfBradley.

Our next home game is Saturday 12th October where we will host Yorkshire Amateur at the Bradley Community Stadium with a 3pm kick off. Adults £4, concessions and children £2.