Cleethorpes Town produced a thoroughly fine performance as they piled the misery on visitors Athersley Recreation who are top of the league by winning 4 – 0 in a result that will send a clear message to the intentions of the Owls as they climb 2 places to third place in the league 3 behind the team that they beat today.

Cleethorpes defended solidly at the beginning of game as Athersley looked to push on but it was not all one way traffic as a fine free kick move saw the ball come out wide where Heward put the ball in the box and as it was only half cleared the ball fell to Jack Debnam who shot just wide of the post. Debnam was in the thick of the action a short while later as another shot went the wrong side of the upright the game was alive and the 190 in attendance where certainly warming to what was on show on the pitch.

Scott Drury then had to tip over the bar as an in swinging cross got to close for comfort from the resultant corner Cleethorpes cleared their lines and where soon on the attack again this time a ball in from the right was headed towards goal by Marc Cooper but Penn saved in the Athersley goal. Cleethorpes where controlling the ball in the right areas and took the lead as the ball came in from wide the ball was carried forward where Marc Cooper picked the ball up and hit the ball into the top corner to give Cleethorpes the lead.

Athersley did not sit back though but saw efforts from Bentley, Bennett and White go the wrong side of the posts and when Drury was called into action he produced the goods saving from Bentley inside the area. Centre Backs for Cleethorpes where in dominant mood as Gordon and Steve Cooper continue to develop their partnership at the back and where rebuffing the Athersley attacks with support from the full backs of Heward and Lowe.

Then Cleethorpes produced the move of the game the ball was taken out of defence down the right hand side by Debnam who absorbed the grass beneath him as he went forward and a ball into the middle of the box found the advancing Jack Richardson who headed home unmarked from the penalty spot, the goal coming just before half time to give Cleethorpes a 2 goal cushion.
Cleethorpes where not in any mood to let the two goal cushion disappear as it had in the reverse fixture on the first day of the season when the sides met. There was a much greater composure throughout the side and they certainly meant business, with Athersley being restricted to efforts outside the box Cleethorpes where looking to extend the lead further at every opportunity.

Mitchell combined with Debnam and between them opened space for Marc Cooper who made it 3 – 0 just after the hour mark, Athersley where not relishing the game anymore.

Efforts from Marc Cooper and Jack Debnam going close, the latter then drove at the heart of the Athersley defence and he was clipped as he was through on goal, which resulted in a free kick outside the box but more importantly saw Athersley go down to 10 men as the defender was adjudged to be the last man and was sent of for a professional foul. The Free Kick was curled round the wall and fell to Jack Debnam who slotted it past Penn as Cleethorpes extended their lead to 4 goals.

With the Game all but won Cleethorpes made a series of subs and a ball in the box from Grant just evaded Stephenson and M Cooper in the box, Cleethorpes where not going to sit back. Athersley had nothing to lose in the final stages and saw an effort go over Drurys goal. Then Grant made a surging run into the box and saw his effort saved at his feet in the box by Penn. Cleethorpes saw the game out producing one of there finest performances this season that has opened the top of the league up. Cleethorpes are next in action when they visit Bottesford next Saturday.