Clee reached the Final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup for the second successive season with an entertaining 4-2 victory against a young Lincoln City side on Tuesday evening. Goals came from Ben Clappison, Josh Batty, Scott Vernon and Ben Davies to ensure that the holders would be there in the Spring showpiece to defend their crown.

Manager Dave Smith selected a strong side but was also mindful of the tiring nature of the match at Morpeth over the weekend. Therefore, he decided to name top-scorer Scott Vernon on the bench. In total, there were 5 changes to the starting XI.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Tim Lowe, Ben Clappison, Paul Walker, Jack Boswell
Midfield: Ben Davies, Alex Flett (c), Jack Richardson, Jon Oglesby
Attack: Josh Batty, Curtis Bateson

Subs: Conor Marshall, Scott Vernon, Lewis Collins, Alfie Usher, Oli Donald

The opening phase saw both teams playing decent football and Bateson had the first chance in the 11th minute, stinging the hands of keeper Long with a rising drive. Moments later, the Owls opened the scoring. A right-wing corner was flighted in and, with good movement causing confusion in the Imps’ defence, Ben Clappison rose highest to nod home.

If the home faithful thought that it was to be all one-way traffic, they got a shock in the 18th minute when Lincoln hit back. Tobias Liversidge found plenty of space to finish a neat move.

Both outfits continued to probe but chances became limited, although you always had the feeling that Clee were the more likely to score again.

So it proved as, after a period of pressure, the initiative was seized back with the interval approaching. The lively Bateson was upended near the right edge of the box. No hesitation from the referee in pointing to the spot and Josh Batty stepped up to coolly find the corner.

HT Cleethorpes Town 2 (Clappison 12, Batty 37 pen) Lincoln City 1 (Liversidge 18)

Two subs for the Owls saw Josh Batty and Jack Richardson withdrawn. On came Scott Vernon and Lewis Collins for 45 minutes game time.
It did not take long for Scott Vernon to make an impact either. The big forward continued his excellent scoring form by holding off a defender and blasting his shot beyond Long.

Clee’s greater craft was beginning to bear fruit and, after Conor Marshall had replaced Tim Lowe, sub Collins went close from 20-yards. The crowd did not have long to wait for the fourth to arrive and it was a first in the blue & black for Ben Davies. The experienced midfielder found space through the inside-left channel and his powerful shot found the target.

Lincoln’s resistance had been broken but, to the youngsters’ credit, they bravely battled on to secure a consolation through Max Gee.

There was time for Alfie Usher to gain some more first-team exposure, the impressive Curtis Bateson giving way. The only remaining action saw stopper Richardson preserve the 2-goal cushion with a smart save.

The final whistle heralded that Clee were through to another final and a date against either Boston United or Grantham Town.

FT Cleethorpes Town 4 (Clappison 12, Batty 37 pen, Vernon 55, Davies 74) Lincoln City 2 (Liversidge 18, Gee 77) Attendance: 127

A decent match and great to have a final to look forward to! The tie is likely to take place in March and April, let’s hope we can make it back-to-back victories.

I am glad we take this competition seriously. In a few years, the record books will still show that we have now beaten Lincolnshire’s 3 most senior clubs (Lincoln City, Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town) in competitive encounters. That can never be taken away from us!

It was very good to see Ben Davies getting a well-deserved goal. However, on balance, my personal man-of-the-match was Curtis Bateson, who has settled down quickly in his second spell – well played.

Details:
Saturday 2nd November – 3pm
Stocksbridge Park Steels – BetVictor Northern Premier League
Linden, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL

Admission:
Adults £8, Concessions £5, Under 16s £2

UP THE OWLS!