Clee swept to a hugely impressive 5-0 win against higher-ranked Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon in their final friendly. After the visitors were reduced to 10-men, all the goals came in a scintillating first 45 – Michael Jacklin, Ross Hannah (2) & Scott Vernon (2) were the scorers.

Dave Smith was happy to employ a similar attacking formation that had yielded 12-goals in the last 3 matches. Lunchtime signing Harry Middleton was named amongst the substitutes.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Sam Topliss, Paul Walker, Michael Jacklin, Caine Winfarrah
Midfield: Curtis Bateson, Liam Dickens, Conor Marshall, Jon Oglesby
Attack: Ross Hannah, Scott Vernon (c)

Subs: Heath Richardson (gk), Josh Venney, Tim Lowe, Harry Middleton, Rieves Boocock

It was a delightful late Summer afternoon at The myenergi Stadium as the action got underway.

There was an explosive start to the Lincolnshire derby, with Trinity’s Ben Tomlinson seeing red for violent conduct inside the penalty box after just 75 seconds.

This was the spark to ignite the Owls into a scintillating 45 minutes of football, registering 5 goals in an irresistible display of fluid movement and finishing.

First on the mark was Michael Jacklin, who was on hand to register for the second fixture in succession. Less than 2 minutes later, Ross Hannah continued his rich goalscoring form by blasting an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net from the best part of 25-yards.

The faithful barely had time to draw breath before Scott Vernon joined the fun. Bateson displayed his usual trickery on the right and the cross was slotted in by last year’s top-scorer, via a slight deflection off a covering defender.

There was hardly a let-up for the stunned away outfit, as wave after wave of attack opened up their defence. The wing interplay in particular was a treat to watch and this led to the Owls’ fourth in the 35th minute.

An inch-perfect cross from Topliss was met by Ross Hannah, who drilled in his brace with aplomb. Then, in the shadow of the break, Scott Vernon completed a remarkable half by heading beyond the keeper for the fifth.

HT Cleethorpes Town 5 (Jacklin 10, Hannah 12, 35, Vernon 17, 44) Gainsborough Trinity 0

The action after the half-time interval was perhaps unsurprisingly a bit more sedate and much more even.

Trinity registered their first on-target effort in the 53rd minute, but a header was easily held by stopper Richardson. At the other end, sub Venney had a go from long-range, which drifted a couple of yards wide of the upright.

In fairness, Gainsborough were better organised and Clee were content to continue to probe away, without quite having the same impetus which brought the glut of earlier goals, Nevertheless, it had proved to be a massive confidence booster ahead of next week’s FA Cup tie.

At the whistle, there was generous applause for the players, who had put down a substantial marker of their intent for a successful campaign.

FT Cleethorpes Town 5 (Jacklin 10, Hannah 12, 35, Vernon 17, 44) Gainsborough Trinity 0 Attendance: 252

Absolutely marvellous! What a display that was in the first 45 – full of energy and threat.

The movement was fantastic, and it could not have all come together at a better time. I am sure we are going to move into our competitive matches in great shape – bring it on!!

Great support today and we will need it again next Saturday (3pm) as AFC Mansfield come to town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round. Get your tickets and be there to cheer the lads on!

UP THE OWLS!