The Owls climbed to 4th in the table with a narrow, but well deserved, 2-1 win over Wisbech Town on Saturday afternoon. Two headed second-half goals from Docks Beers man-of-the-match Oli Donald was enough for all the points. Sam Spencer replied for the visitors.

Injuries were starting to clear and Dave Smith welcomed back Ben Davies to the bench. No surprises in the manager’s starting XI though. In fact, there were no changes from the previous League match against Leek Town, with Tim Lowe continuing in central defence and Brandon Buckley in the number 10 role.

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, Brandon Buckley

Subs: Ben Davies, Adam Millson, Jack Fixter, Josh Batty, Andy Taylor

Very windy conditions greeted the players and, allied to a pitch dried out by the warm Autumnal sunshine, this contributed to a number of early balls going astray. However, Clee were by far the more fluent outfit and twice went close in the first 10 minutes. Marshall did well to win a header from a free-kick to create alarm in the visiting back-line and, in the next play, Vernon volleyed narrowly wide.

The Owls were adopting a patient approach and this looked to have paid dividends with 26 on the watch. Marshall, who was catching the eye with some of his forward runs, rose at a corner to nod the ball into the net. However, the celebrations were cut short when the referee whistled for an infringement.

It continued to be largely one-way traffic, with keeper Richardson only really being called upon to gather overhit passes from Wisbech and to start another attack.

However, the Fenmen were resolute and frustration was beginning to grow amongst the faithful. A stinging 20-yard shot by Collins was the closest the Owls came to a breakthrough in the remainder of the half.

HT Cleethorpes Town 0 Wisbech Town 0

The first meaningful action after the break saw Jack Richardson see yellow. This was followed in the 52nd minute by Vernon heading over a good chance. The Owls’ leading scorer would have been disappointed to have wasted the opportunity to register his 9th of the campaign.

Nevertheless, the same player appeared to have finished a flowing team move on the hour. Vernon stroked home but this time the assistant’s flag was raised skywards to thwart Clee’s endeavours.

Pressure was mounting and Wisbech finally cracked in the 67th minute. Captain Flett, who had yet again led his colleagues from the front, delivered the perfect cross from the right and Oli Donald rose amongst a ruck of players on the 6-yard line to guide the Owls into the lead.

Clee now made a couple of substitutions. Andy Taylor and Josh Batty entered the fray, with Jack Richardson and Brandon Buckley withdrawn.

If the vast majority of the crowd had thought that the floodgates might now open, there was a nasty shock with 15 left to play. Wisbech were awarded a free-kick and the floated ball found the head of Sam Spencer. To the naked eye, it looked as though there could also have been a deflection off Donald into the corner of the goal.

With parity restored in their only on-target effort, Wisbech set about protecting the point. In fairness though, Clee did not lose their discipline and continued to play with purpose.

It was attack v defence, with Clee pouring forward to try to engineer the winner. To the relief of most inside the stadium, it arrived in the 81st minute. It was almost an action replay as well. Flett once again swung over a pinpoint corner and the towering frame of Oli Donald outwitted his marker to delightedly power in the decisive strike.

Still time for the Owls to try to put a fairer reflection of the play on the scoreline. Not to be however, with Robertson being denied by a fine low save. An important 3 points gathered and, at the whistle, the players headed to the dressing room to warm applause.

FT Cleethorpes Town 2 (Donald 67, 81) Wisbech Town 1 (Spencer 75) Attendance: 265

Relief was probably my overriding emotion at the end! We should have won far more easily, but there are no “free” games at this level.

My opinion is that we played well. I think some of our fans are sometimes guilty of expecting us of just having to turn up to win! Sides like Wisbech, who are perhaps destined to finish in the lower reaches of the division, are always well-organised and any victory should be savoured.

On to my man-of-the-match. Hard to argue with the sponsors’ choice of Oli Donald. The big defender is really quite a handful for visiting teams to deal with in their own area – well done! Catching my eye also were Conor Marshall, Lewis Collins, Alex Flett and Brandon Buckley.

Up to 4th now and we are set fair for our entry into the FA Trophy next Saturday. We entertain familiar foes in the shape of Frickley Athletic. Hope to see you there – please remember that due to FA regulations it is “all pay”.

Details:
Saturday 28th September – 3pm
Frickley Athletic – FA Trophy Extra Preliminary Round
New Linden, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL

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

UP THE OWLS!