Clee’s impressive BetVictor Northern Premier League form continued on Saturday afternoon with a convincing 3-1 win against Stocksbridge Park Steels. Goals from Curtis Bateson, Josh Batty and Alex Flett saw off the visitors, who replied courtesy of Scott Ruthven. The victory lifted the Owls into second place, a solitary point off the summit.

After two knock-out matches, Dave Smith decided that an attacking 4-3-3 formation would be best suited to the task ahead against our 5th-placed rivals. With Oli Donald suspended, Tim Lowe and Paul Walker formed the partnership in the heart of the defence.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Conor Marshall, Paul Walker, Tim Lowe, Jon Oglesby
Midfield: Ben Davies, Alex Flett (c), Lewis Collins
Attack: Josh Batty, Scott Vernon, Curtis Bateson

Subs: Jack Richardson, Brandon Buckley, Jack Boswell, Adam Millson, Matt Bloomer

Before kick-off, and with this fixture the last home one before Remembrance Sunday, everyone inside Linden impeccably observed a minute’s silence in honour of our service personnel.

Clee began in a real hurry, forcing half-a-dozen corners inside the first 13 minutes. Davies, Batty and Marshall all went close to grabbing an early lead. Then, on the quarter-hour mark, visiting keeper Hall produced a fine one-handed save to thwart a Vernon header.

The Steels were struggling to get any kind of possession and when they did sniff a glimpse of an opening following a slip in centre-field, Walker accelerated across to make a well-timed tackle.

A goal had certainly been coming and, in the 24th minute, Curtis Bateson broke the deadlock with a brilliant piece of play. Picking up the ball towards the right-hand side of the box, the midfielder smoothly cut inside a defender and exquisitely curled a left-footer into the top corner (pictured).

The home faithful were still discussing the contender for “goal-of-the-season” when Josh Batty doubled the lead. More clever team play carved open the defence and the striker ghosted into plenty of space to gleefully volley into the net from close range.

For the rest of the half, the Owls continued to dominate and Stocksbridge were somewhat fortunate to head for their dressing-room only two adrift.

HT Cleethorpes Town 2 (Bateson 24, Batty 27) Stocksbridge Park Steels 0

No let-up after the interval either! The busy Hall saved well from Batty and Flett was left cursing his luck – a thunderbolt drive rattling the underside of the crossbar before being hacked to safety. Bateson, who unsurprisingly was later named man-of-the-match by generous sponsors East Trans, also stung the keeper’s hands.

Pundits say 2-0 is a dangerous lead though and, despite all the superb play, the Owls had not put the game fully to bed. Suddenly, and pretty much out-of-the-blue, the visitors belatedly sprang to life to come back into contention. Scott Ruthven rose highest in a packed 6-yard zone to head in.

For the next 5 minutes, Steels sensed they could snaffle an unlikely draw and enjoyed their best spell. The mind went back to the previous League outing at Chasetown when, despite being by far the better side, the Owls were forced to settle for a point. Could history repeat itself?

Fortunately, the answer was an emphatic no! In the 87th minute, Alex Flett whipped in a flighted ball from near the left corner-flag, which deceived Hall and sailed into the net at the Church End. Only the captain will know if he was aiming for goal but, as the cheers rang around Linden from another 300+ gate, no-one connected with the homesters was bothered.

Two late subs followed, as the clock ticked down. Josh Batty and Lewis Collins were withdrawn, with Jack Richardson and Brandon Buckley entering the field for the dying embers.

Mo more action and the Owls received a deserved warm ovation at the end, having secured their 8th home League win on the bounce.

FT Cleethorpes Town 3 (Bateson 24, Batty 27, Flett 87) Stocksbridge Park Steels 1 (Ruthven 76) Attendance: 303

Overall, a fine display! Just a few nervy moments to contend with after Steels had scored. However, it really would have been daylight robbery if we had not won. It could easily have been 4 or 5 by half-time and may I suggest it was our best display of the campaign?

Whether it was or wasn’t, the bare facts show that we are moving right into title contention. Momentum is gathering and, after a tricky test at Frickley, it should be a great top-of-the-table game in a fortnight against surprise leaders Carlton Town.

Tricky decision for my man-of-the-match. OK - not really!! Step forward Curtis Bateson, who has fitted right into the side. An absolute belter of a goal and all round marvellous 90 minutes – superb!

Details:
Saturday 9th November – 3pm
Frickley Athletic – BetVictor Northern Premier league
Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, WF9 2EQ

Admission:
To be confirmed

UP THE OWLS!