Despite the midweek postponement, it has been a busy week behind the scenes for the Owls with three new signings. A big Clee welcome is extended to Mark Gray, Jacob Norburn and, last but not least, Brody Robertson.

Gray and Robertson went straight into the team at Loughborough along with Liam Davis. Matt Bloomer, Adam Drury and Danny North respectively dropped out from the side that faced Spennymoor. Mid-table Dynamo were looking for a win to put pressure on the clubs above them, whilst the Owls needed the points to re-ignite their challenge for automatic promotion.

It was a chilly afternoon as the match got underway in good conditions at the Nanpanton Sports Ground. Clee started with Davis partnering Robertson up front in a predominantly 4-4-2 formation, although there proved to be some fluidity to the system as the match progressed.

A couple of corners in the opening 5 minutes. Firstly, Dynamo put in a dangerous looking cross from the left, which was put behind by Tim Lowe. Then, it was the visitors turn to force an attacking play. Both of these early efforts were safely cleared by the respective defences.

Returning Robertson almost nipped in when a headed back pass was slightly under strength but the home keeper was smartly off his line to collect.

The Owls had started the better and got the boost of an early goal in the 12th minute. A delightful flick by Davis found the on-rushing Robertson who played a ball to Jon Oglesby on the left-hand edge of the penalty area. The winger cut inside and produced a curling shot into the top corner. It really was a fantastic finish and sent the large number of travelling fans behind the goal into rapture.

Clee had gained confidence from taking the lead and were settling down to play some nice football as they threatened a second goal. Davis was narrowly judged offside and then there was a quick break from Oglesby. He fed Robertson who shot on target but the home stopper did well to tip the ball over.

Loughborough were trying to get a foothold but they were being kept at bay by the well-marshalled defence. New boy Gray, in particular, was dominant in the air and was having a good debut. Keeper Richard Walton had not been called into significant action during the opening half-hour.

Robertson was again almost through on 34 minutes but was attended by a covering defender and then a free-kick in from Alex Flett was met by the head of Davis. However, the danger was again cleared by the overworked Dynamo defence. As we moved towards the interval, the home team had their best spell. A couple of corners were won and a shot from 20 yards was deflected behind.

An equaliser would have been cruel on the Owls, who had played well and probably deserved to be more than one goal clear at the break.

HT Loughborough Dynamo 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (Oglesby 12)

After their largely sluggish first half, the hosts started on the front foot. They were playing at a much higher tempo and a dangerous ball in from the left was cleared by Gray. Clee were being pushed back in the opening 5 minutes but a quick break and cross from Oglesby almost found Robertson.

The visitors were beginning to get back into their stride and there was nice play on the left from Loz McKay but he just ran out of space and the ball went behind. Walton was then required to come off his line to deal with a free-kick and Robertson shot at the home keeper.

It was now a much more even contest. However, the pairing of Gray and Oli Donald were still in uncompromising mood in the heart of defence. They dealt with numerous high balls from Dynamo with ease and you always felt that Clee were the more likely side to gain the vital second goal.

As the match approached the final 20 minutes, Dynamo enjoyed a spell of pressure. Donald snuffed out an attack with a sliding tackle and Lowe then did well to get the ball away to safety. Marcus Newell made his first change of the afternoon. Jack Richardson was withdrawn and Peter Winn came on as the Owls looked to close out an important away victory.

Walton did well to save in the 70th minute and the rebound gave Loughborough their best chance of the match. However, a combination of the big keeper and Lowe got the ball away for a corner. A nervous moment for the away contingent, who made up around a quarter of the crowd and had been in fine voice throughout.

Dynamo’s efforts to press for an equaliser were becoming more frantic but Clee were keeping their shape and posed a constant menace on the break. The Owls nearly made the game safe in the 83rd minute when a free-kick from captain Flett struck the woodwork and then Oglesby broke clear but fired his effort wide.

As the clock ticked towards added time, Gray was yet again on hand to provide cover and Clee moved quickly up field to earn a free-kick on the right-hand corner of the area. Substitute Winn stepped up to fire a powerful shot beyond the keeper and into the top corner.

A second great goal of the afternoon. This put gloss on the scoreline and provided a fairer reflection on proceedings. Goalscorer Oglesby was replaced by Luke Aldrich and a further couple of minutes passed before the referee signalled time.

FT Loughborough Dynamo 0 Cleethorpes Town 2 (Oglesby 12, Winn 90) Attendance: 110

Firstly, a big thank you to vice-chairman David Mann, who provided the supporters’ mini-bus to this fixture at his own expense – a great gesture!

A good performance all round from the Owls, who climb back to fourth in the table. A clean sheet, two cracking goals and three vital away points was a fine way to start the important month of December. The strengthening of the squad in the week will provide the manager with some difficult selection issues over the next few weeks.

In my eyes, the team can definitely mount a serious challenge for automatic promotion.

Clee are next in action in the Evostik South at Bradley on Saturday (9th – 3pm) against the oldest football club in the world – Sheffield FC.

So, put your Christmas shopping on hold and come down to cheer on the Owls! All new supporters are always welcomed and admission for adults is £7, which is the joint lowest in the division. It is a bargain £3 for concessions and children.

UP THE OWLS!