The Owls went down 2-1 to Stamford on a very windy afternoon at Linden. Substitute Caine Winfarrah levelled an early Sean Wright goal. However, Tendai Chitiza scored in the 88th minute to inflict a defeat on 3rd-placed Clee.

Just the one change from Dave Smith, who was under the weather but still in attendance at the game. Conor Marshall was preferred to Lewis Collins in the now familiar formation of 4-2-3-1. Loan signing Rieves Boocock started on the bench.

The side lined-up as follows:

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

Subs: Caine Winfarrah, Liam Dickens, Tim Lowe, Rieves Boocock, Lewis Collins.

It was very blustery at kick-off, with the wind blowing straight down the ground in the first period towards the Church End. Stamford had this advantage, as play got underway after a minute’s applause for Jordan Sinnott, who tragically passed away last Saturday.

Unsurprisingly with 2 of the division’s highflyers locking horns, it was competitive and fairly even through the initial skirmishes. Stamford forced a couple of early corners that were safely cleared. Then Flett got to the by-line but the captain’s cross was fired wide by Vernon.

However, it was to be the Daniels that wrestled the upper hand in the 17th minute. Matwasa whipped in a flighted ball from the right and Sean Wright rose on the 6-yard line to guide a powerful header home.

The next action saw Richardson produce a miraculous stop and, after this, Clee were desperately unlucky not to restore parity in a hectic 60 seconds.

Firstly, Bateson surged through the inside right and skimmed the bar from an acute angle. Then, Vernon seemed certain to score after bulleting in a header but could only look on in dismay, as Haystead fingertipped onto the woodwork to thwart the Owls’ marksman.

Just before the break, Richardson, who was later named Docks Beers man-of-the-match by generous sponsors Haines Watts, demonstrated fine agility to prevent scorer Wright adding a second.

HT Cleethorpes Town 0 Stamford 1 (Wright 17)

Clee began after the interval by pinning their visitors back, without creating any clear opening. The management decided that an early attacking substitution was needed and, in the 57th minute, Winfarrah was introduced for Middleton.

It was immediately apparent that there were more offensive outlets and, cheered on by a vocal home faithful, a deserved leveller arrived. Pressure had been on Stamford, and after a scramble in the area, recent signing Caine Winfarrah pounced to lash in the equaliser.

Buoyed by restoring parity, the Owls were now in the ascendency and Winfarrah went agonisingly close to securing a second but was inched wide from a good chance. A goal was also chalked off for offside and Bateson had a decent shot saved by Haystead.

With the points in the balance, Doncaster Rovers’ loanee Rieves Boocock came on for Oglesby with 8 to play.

Nevertheless, after weathering the storm, the Daniels responded strongly in the closing stages. Richardson produced a remarkable double stop but was helpless when Tendai Chitiza curled in the winner in the 88th minute.

Wild scenes amongst the visiting contingent and the Owls were left to reflect on a loss that realistically ended any lingering hopes of the title.

FT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Winfarrah 67) Stamford 2 (Wright 17, Chitiza 88) Attendance: 325

A bit of a kick in the teeth! Maybe a draw would have been fair, but Stamford are a decent outfit. Perhaps there will be a chance for revenge in the end-of-season play-offs… who knows?!

Talking of which, it appears that we are competing for third place, alongside the likes of Belper and Carlton. We really need to focus to ensure that we finish as high as possible.

I concur with the sponsors for my man-of-the-match, some excellent stops from Theo Richardson – well played!

Listening to some of the conversations around the ground during and afterwards, the consensus was that the fans want to see us set-up more attackingly, especially at home. This, of course, is one for the manager to decide. For my part, Scott Vernon definitely needs more support up front.

Thanks for the fantastic support again, I hope to see you at Frickley on Tuesday evening.

Details:
Tuesday 4th February – 7.45pm
Frickley Athletic – BetVictor Northern Premier League
Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, WF9 2EQ

Admission:
Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16s £4

UP THE OWLS!