An equaliser in the 96th minute from Sam Topliss gained a point for the Owls in a 2-2 draw against Sutton Coldfield Town on New Year’s Day. Josh Lacey was the other scorer in a match that the home side largely dominated. The result kept Clee handily placed in 3rd in the BetVictor Northern Premier League.

One change from Dave Smith from the 9-2 demolition of Market Drayton Town on Saturday. Josh Lacey replaced Paul Walker at right-back.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Josh Lacey, Tim Lowe, Oli Donald, Sam Topliss
Holding Midfield: Conor Marshall, Harry Middleton
Attacking Midfield: Curis Bateson, Alex Flett (c), Jon Oglesby
Attack: Scott Vernon

Subs: Alfie Usher, Lewis Collins, Paul Walker, Andy Taylor, Brody Robertson

Another good crowd was inside Linden for kick-off and they witnessed an early onslaught from the Owls.

In the 6th minute, Vernon forced Gwilliams into a decent low stop after fine work by Flett. Then, Oglesby fired straight at the stopper. With the Royals struggling to get a foothold, Donald also went very close to breaking the deadlock and top-scorer Vernon was left to curse his luck, as his shot rattled the crossbar.

The enterprising Middleton volleyed a yard wide and the home faithful were left to ponder as to how it was still 0-0, with the clock drifting beyond the half-hour mark.

Excellent persistence from Middleton, who was later named the Docks Beers man-of-the-match by generous sponsors Chestnut Associates, set-up Flett but the ball appeared to get stuck under the skipper’s feet. Following this, the overworked Gwilliams again saved his side by blocking an Oglesby effort.

Sutton Coldfield had defended stoutly and enjoyed their share of good fortune but, as the interval loomed, they suddenly sprung up-field to snaffle the lead.

There did not appear to be too much threat to the Owls’ defence when Chinedu Okoro received possession about 23-yards out. However, the Royals’ midfielder nimbly beat two challenges to move into the box and his low shot nestled in the far-corner.

HT Cleethorpes Town 0 Sutton Coldfield Town 1 (Okoro 40)

Buoyed by grabbing the advantage, the visitors had their best spell of the encounter immediately after the restart.

It was only athletic work from Donald in the 51st minute that kept the deficit to one, the big defender getting back energetically to make a goal-line clearance. Stopper Richardson turned wide a drive by Gibson and flew high on the hour to tip over a dipping shot from Okoro.

The management made the first substitution – Brody Robertson coming on for Conor Marshall. Clee were maintaining their patient approach but it looked like it might be an unlucky day at the office, especially when a nicely flighted free-kick from Flett rebounded away to safety off the inside of the upright.

Sutton were defending deeper and deeper, as they looked to rebuff wave after wave of attack. However, the rearguard was eventually breached with 12 minutes left to play. A corner from the right was only half cleared and, as the ball bounced loose, Josh Lacey reacted quickest to gleefully find the target.

Andy Taylor was introduced for Curtis Bateson and, as time began to drift away, it looked like Clee were the only possible winners. In the final minute of normal time, a nasty surprise was served up though. A well-timed late run from sub Edwin Ahenkorah got on the end of a through ball and he finished neatly from the apex of the 6-yard box.

Despair amongst most inside Linden but, with 6 added minutes signalled, Clee galvanised themselves for one final push. Dramatically, in the last attack of the afternoon, the Owls snatched a more than deserved share of the spoils.

Flett, who as always had worked tirelessly, beat his marker on the right wing and whipped a cross into the danger zone. A lay-back dropped to Sam Topliss, who fired the shot low into the net through a forest of legs, sparking joyous scenes.

FT Cleethorpes Town 2 (Lacey 78, Topliss 90+6) Sutton Coldfield Town 2 (Okoro 40, Ahenkorah 89) Attendance: 375

A point gained or two dropped? Probably the latter in the great scheme of things – however, I would have taken a draw after 95 minutes!!

I thought we played pretty well overall. On another day, we may have won easily. These kind of things happen in football and it was never going to be totally straightforward, with expectations high after the 9-2 at the weekend.

Obviously, there are a couple of worries to ponder on. That is now 17 NPL matches without a clean sheet. I know full well that everyone is working hard to rectify this. On the flip side, we have failed to register only once, so following the mighty Owls is always entertaining!

The other is the form of Stamford and, in particular, Leek. Cannot do much about this, we just have to get as many points as we can. As a statistic of interest, we have 12 more at the halfway mark than last season.

No disagreement with the sponsors on the man-of-the-match. Harry Middleton has settled in very well since his recent signing – well played!

Finally, more excellent support yesterday and it will be great to see plenty of us at Ashby Avenue. Incidentally, the fixture is a landmark one for the Club – our 100th in the BetVictor Northern Premier League.

Details:
Saturday 4th January – 3pm
Lincoln United – BetVictor Northern Premier League
Sun-hat Villas Stadium, Ashby Avenue, Lincoln, LN6 0DY

Admission:
Adults £9, Concessions £6, Under 16s £3

UP THE OWLS!