Sunday saw Cleethorpes Town Ladies host AFC Preston in their second league fixture in the North East Regional Women’s Football League. The opening day defeat against Westella & Willerby was forgotten about with the Owls producing a fine display to put their opponents to the sword and pick up their first three point haul of the season.

Looking to change the side’s fortunes from the start was keeper Hollie Francis, a back four of Eve Vickers, Charlotte Townsend, Beth French and Naomi Hardman, making her first appearance of the season as new captain at left back. Midfielder Jade Charlton could not shake off a thigh problem picked up a fortnight ago and dropped out of the squad during the warm up, which left a four of Chloe Wilkinson on the right, Alyssa Fussey on the left, with Katie Pye, playing her final game before a move away to University in Chester, and Saskia Rawbone in the middle. The latter fresh from a wonderful performance for the under 18 side just a day earlier. Ready to be called upon from the sidelines were Chelsea Trott, Pariss Welsh, Claire Pitcher and Gemma Hopkin.
The game began at a brisk pace with both teams cancelling each other out, although Preston showed threats from both strikers and quick wingers, getting in behind a couple of times within the first few minutes only to be thwarted by in form keeper Francis.
However, the third occasion the quick forward in red got in a good position around the Cleethorpes area, she managed to fire the ball beyond Francis’ reach and into the net for a 1-0 lead. This appeared to kick start the Clee’ attack and within 8 minutes the hosts were level with a quick attack, last season’s leading scorer Gemma Charlton running onto a through ball to finish with the outside of the boot, lifting the ball over the visiting ‘keeper and into the net.
Five minutes of pressure from the blue & blacks ended in another goal to take the lead. The ball pinballed around the edge of the area and fell to quick winger Alyssa Fussey, cutting inside her full back with her first touch and fizzing a sharp shot across the goalkeeper and into the far bottom corner.
Although Cleethorpes were now in the ascendency heading towards half time, AFC Preston were still offering a decent threat on the break ensuring the Owls’ back line were fully switched on.
With a stomach bug, right back Vickers came off on 40 minutes, and Chloe Wilkinson was rested at the same time with manager Mason thinking of periods when it would become more open later in the game. Gemma Hopkin and Pariss Welsh were the two sent on. With half time fast approaching, Lottie Soar received a decent ball from the left wing, turning and being offered a shot on goal from outside the box, took it and fired one into the roof of the net giving Cleethorpes a 3-1 lead heading into half time.
Half time provided no changes for the hosts and went out playing together as a team, though the visiting side were becoming more confident and were on the front foot much more than the first period, and with a jinking run from the inside right channel, a goal followed with a great strike hitting the inside of the post before settling into the net, making it 3-2 with plenty of time to go.
This again seemed to kick start the Ladies team, replying with another goal of their own through Hopkin, making it her third goal of the season. With a two goal lead, Cleethorpes sat deep and seemed to invite several visiting attacks, and with one quick breakaway twenty minutes into the second half, the Preston striker turned a ball around the corner leaving Townsend with a late challenge. This was seen as a straight red card by the referee after pressure from the away side, though the ball appeared to be travelling toward the corner flag following the tackle and not heading towards goal.
The Owls set themselves into a 4-4-1 formation with the introduction of Pitcher and Trott, freshening up the front line and to ensure the hosts still held a threat while going forward against a tiring Preston back line. Though it was Trott who unfortunately appeared to pull a thigh muscle straight away, and being replaced by a refreshed and sharp Chloe Wilkinson for the final fifteen minutes.
Although the was plenty of pressure applied by the Preston side, much was reduced to long range shots, with none really troubling Francis in goal. With one quick breakaway from the 10 players, Hopkin picked the pocket of the away midfielder well inside her own half, but lots of space to move into. This year’s leading striker made her way into the opposition area one v one with the goalkeeper and wonderfully put the ball into the net, finishing the game off with her fourth of the season.
With great character shown by the whole team to come from behind and to withstand a great deal of pressure by the hosts, who we think will win plenty of games this season with their quick strike force, the side were delighted with the 3 points and now look towards a trip to Altofts, near Castleford, next Sunday.

Player of the Match was given to Hollie Francis for an excellent showing from the youngster. Hollie is sponsored by Scania this season.