An enthralling game in the fourth “Battle of the Bradley” saw Cleethorpes Town run out 2 - 1 victors over their bitter rivals Grimsby Borough. In a game that saw a saved penalty, a red card, a manager sent to the stands and a player sent off in an ambulance to hospital, all of which occurred in the first 45 minutes - oh and I forgot to mention there were a further two goals.

Cleethorpes Town fielded an unchanged side after weekend historic display against Basford United in the FA Vase. The only addition to the squad was Tim Lowe, who returned to the bench after being out injured for the past two weeks.

The game started in a quick fashion and with only 15 seconds on the clock Brody Robertson had tested Borough’s keeper James Swann. It was a frantic few opening minutes when Borough had consecutive corners but they could not make any real threats on the Owls goal.

With only six minutes on the clock, Alex Flett showed great tenacity teeing up Nathan Emson where his shot was just inches wide. The opening goal of the game came in the eighth minute when Borough’s Louis Grant found space on the left where he whipped a fast paced cross and this was put into his own net by Lawrence Heward, there was nothing really the defender could have done as the cross was that good.

Just five minutes later Lawrence Heward went in for a challenge with a Borough player and he came out worst for wear. He had to be stretchered off and an ambulance called for what looked at the time like a broken ankle. Marc Sawyer came on as his replacement.

Grimsby Borough nearly made it 2 - 0 when Louis Grant played in a delicious cross across the face of the goal but this missed everybody. The equaliser came in the 23rd minute when Jonathan Oglesby collected the ball on the left side, brushed off one defender and cooly slotted it home passed the advancing James Swann.

Louis Grant thought he had put Borough back into the lead just moments after the restart when he picked the ball up 35 yards out and attempted a shot that only just cleared the cross bar. The drama really kicked off in the 28th minute when Marc Sawyer received a yellow card for a silly foul over on the far hand side. After picking up this yellow card he appeared to have a coming together with Louis Thompson and for this he was shown a second yellow and sent for an early shower. In the melee something was said between Cleethorpes Town’s manager Marcus Newell and the assistant and he was sent to the stand much to the disbelief of the watching fans.

Things surely couldn’t get any worse for the Owls could it? Just three minutes after going down to 10 men Grimsby Borough won a penalty after Richard Peck had dived in on a Borough player, keeper Scott Drury then received a yellow card for his protests. Grimsby Borough’s Louis Grant, their leading goal scorer stepped up to take the penalty, knowing that this surely would see Borough win their first “Battle of the Bradley”, ran up to the ball and stoke it to the keepers right but Scott Drury read what was on his mind and managed to push the strike on goal away for an Owls defender to hammer clear.

The 10 men of Clee Town then went and did the unthinkable and took the lead when Nathan Emson danced around James Swann in the Borough goal to smash home his sixth of the season. The half time whistle came not long after this and it was a grateful break, not only for the players but also the fans to catch their breath in what was a drama filled scintillating half.

A half time change was ordered for the Owls as Brody Robertson came off and was replaced by Tim Lowe where they opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation. Grimsby Borough looked to push forward in the opening minutes of the second half but it was Daniel Grant that had the first real opportunity when he picked the ball up, shimmied past one, and unleashed a powerful strike well saved by the Borough keeper.

Borough was sure that they had equalised eight minutes into the half but great defending from Luke Mascall on the line saved the day for the Owls. Tim Lowe was next to be called into action after Stevie Wright played a great ball down the wing to Josh Fuller who’s pinpoint cross had to be cut out by the defender at the near post. Borough continued to press over the next few minutes but lacked in composure in the final third.

With only one up front the Owls found it hard to create any real clear cut chances but looked to rectify this when they brought on Marc Cooper in replace of Nathan Emson. Borough’s keeper nearly came unstuck when Luke Mascall chased a lost cause putting the goal keeper under pressure forcing him to slice his clearance out for a throw in.

At the other end Louis Grant tricked and twisted through the Owls defence and had a clear sight on goal but Richard Peck read the bounce of the ball just right and cushioned the ball back with his head to Scott Drury. Borough’s Josh Taylor then tried an effort on goal from long range but this was high and wide. Borough was struggling to be creative and made a triple substitution with only 15 minutes to go. Just moments after this the change seemed to have worked when they won a free kick just outside the area but Louis Grant’s curling cross evaded all of the advancing players.

Louis Grant thought he had equalised with 83 minutes on the clock had it not been for a super save from Scott Drury, the curling effort seemed to be heading towards the bottom corner but Drury managed to keep the strike out. As the game entered the dying embers both teams seemed to be searching for more goals with substitute Marc Cooper going close and also Jonathan Oglesby taking aim from a free kick.

As the referee signaled for two additional minutes of added time a whipped ball in from Grimsby Borough caused havoc in the Owls defence but Matthew Coleman, Blackrow’s Man of the Match managed to clear things up and knock the ball out for one last corner for Grimsby Borough. The corner was whipped into the six yard box but the Owls keeper Scott Drury read the cross well and clutched onto the ball. From the kick out the referee blew for full time sending the home fans into raptures keeping their winning streak alive.

The Owls next game is this Saturday at home against Hallam with a 3pm kick off, Adults £4, Concessions and Children £2. We hope that if you found tonight enjoyable then you will return and support us for the rest of the season.