A goal on the stroke of half-time from top-scorer Scott Vernon was enough for a 1-0 verdict over Frickley Athletic on Saturday afternoon. In truth, Clee probably deserved a wider margin of victory after controlling large chunks of the encounter. However, keeper Theo Richardson produced a fine late save to ensure progression.

Manager Dave Smith made two changes to the starting XI that saw off Wisbech last weekend. Ben Davies came in for Jack Richardson, who dropped to the bench. There was also a place amongst the substitutes for young Brandon Buckley, with Josh Batty returning.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Conor Marshall, Tim Lowe, Oli Donald, Jon Oglesby
Midfield: Jack Richardson, Alex Flett (c), Lewis Collins
Attack: Brody Robertson, Scott Vernon, Josh Batty

Subs: Adam Millson, Jack Fixter, Jack Richardson, Andy Taylor, Brandon Buckley

Both sides began by feeling their way into the knockout clash and there was limited early action. A penalty appeal was turned down in the 16th minute, with Collins appearing to be slightly impeded in the area. Shortly afterwards, a dangerous cross from Oglesby was safely cleared for a corner.

In fairness, it was fairly even at this stage, but the Owls generally carried the greater threat and nearly went ahead with 37 gone. A lay-off from Batty found Flett and the captain, who as usual was all over the park, went desperately close to registering.

Then, with the break looming, the crowd was treated to an explosive interval of play. The lively Batty forced keeper Jackson into a smart save and, as play switched in an instant to the other end, Margetts got on the end of Athletic’s best move by meeting a Boocock cross from 10-yards out. His low effort was too close to stopper Richardson though and the Owls’ number 1 made the block.

Pressure was mounting and Clee made the vital breakthrough just when it seemed destined that we would go in goalless. Marvellous play by Batty allowed him to turn his marker and surge to the right by-line. The pinpoint cross was inch perfect and gave Scott Vernon, lurking in space close to the penalty mark, the chance to calmly stroke the ball home.

HT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Vernon 45) Frickley Athletic 0

Clee started well after the team talk and were unlucky not to grab the potentially decisive second. Oglesby fired over before the Owls did have the ball in the net after 54 minutes. A flowing move shredded the rearguard and Batty was on hand to finish the superb build-up. However, celebrations proved to be premature – the assistant’s flag was raised.

Frickley’s forays forward were becoming more isolated and when there was a sniff of any danger, the very promising partnership of Tim Lowe, later named sponsors’ man-of-the-match, and Oli Donald was in an unyielding mood.

With the clock ticking into the last 20, Clee made all 3 changes in the space of around 10 minutes. Davies, Marshall and scorer Vernon departed the fray. On came the fresh legs of Buckley, Millson and Taylor, with protecting the hard-won lead through good game management becoming paramount.

Substitute Buckley fizzed in a cross-shot in the 82nd minute and Robertson almost got clear but was eventually crowded out.

Of course, 1-0 is never a scoreline where you can feel safe and Frickley thought they had secured a replay with around 4 minutes left on the referee’s watch. Newall had a direct sight of the target and the left-back’s effort looked as though it was going to nestle in the corner of the net. Richardson had other ideas and acrobatically swooped low to his left to fingertip behind.

This was as close as the Yorkshire outfit came to restoring parity and, at the end, they could have no real complaint. Setting aside the League Cup defeat, Clee had maintained their 100% seasonal record at Linden and can look forward to a visit from Mossley in the next round of the FA Trophy.

FT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Vernon 45) Frickley Athletic 0 Attendance: 171

A very good performance I thought! We played with a lot of cohesion at times and perhaps a 2-goal margin would have been about right. However, it’s just getting through in knock-out games that counts!

It may be a coincidence, but Oli Donald has been in a rich vein of form since being partnered by Tim Lowe, whose own outstanding performance wins my personal man-of-the-match, as well as the official one. It will be interesting to see what Dave Smith does when Ben Clappison comes back into contention on Tuesday. For my money, I cannot see the reason for many (any?) changes against Glossop.

The whole unit was on-song yesterday, so I will leave my name-checking to the 2 mentioned – well played everyone!

Details:
Tuesday 1st October – 7.45pm
Glossop North End – BetVictor Northern Premier League
New Linden, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL

Admission:
Adults £8, Over 65s and 16-17 years £5, Under 16s £2

UP THE OWLS!