Scott Vernon helped himself to successive hat-tricks and, with additional strikes from Jordon Cooke, Brody Robertson, McCauley Snelgrove & Jack McMenemy, the Owls emphasised their promotion credentials.

Dave Smith made just the one enforced change from the victory at Tadcaster Albion. Liam Dickens came in for the injured Harry Middleton.

Line-up as follows in a 4-3-3 formation:

Goal: Tom Jackson
Defence: Tim Lowe, Jordon Cooke, Josh Smaller, Sam Topliss
Midfield: Liam Dickens, Alex Flett (c), Josh Venney
Attack: Brody Robertson, Scott Vernon, Luke Lofts

Subs: Oli Donald, Leon Dawson, Loz Mckay, McCauley Snelgrove, Jack McMenemy

Following a misty morning, conditions were fine but cold at kick-off, as another above average crowd took their places. The pitch was wet – however, it played very well throughout a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Clee were quickly out of the blocks, with Cooke and Lofts both going close in the early skirmishes.

A goal looked to be imminent, and it arrived in the 19th minute. Lofts knocked down on the edge of the box and Scott Vernon fired into the corner to pick-up where he left off last week.

The lead was no more than the home team’s fluent play warranted. Nevertheless, United rode their luck to force an equaliser, which was very much against the run of play. Aaron Haswell latched on to a loose ball to unleash an unstoppable shot beyond Jackson.

No need to worry for the faithful, their side responded immediately to snare a comfortable advantage before the half-time cuppa.

Captain Flett set-in Robertson down the right and the cutback was perfect for Scott Vernon. The striker showed his usual composure to register yet for the 5th time in 7 days.

Then, with Ossett struggling to come to terms with the Owls’ scintillating forward forays, Jordon Cooke rose highest to firmly forehead a left-wing Flett corner into the roof of the net.

HT Cleethorpes Town 3 (Vernon 19, 37, Cooke 45+2) Ossett United 1 (Haswell 35)

Despite only 2 places separating the combatants in the table, the gulf in terms of performance and quality was enormous. Four more goals were to follow before the final whistle, in what became a real treat to watch.

It was to be the irrepressible Scott Vernon to get the scoreboard ticking over again, claiming a very rare consecutive hat-trick. Not for the first time in the last week, the forward appeared in exactly right place at the far-post to convert a cross-shot from the impressive Lofts.

Brody Robertson, who had covered plenty of ground, gained his reward in the 75th minute. Showing smooth acceleration through the inside-right channel, the resultant drive flew past Zaniewski.

No letting up as the end loomed into view. The depth in the squad was apparent, with substitutes McCauley Snelgrove and Jack McMenemy having no problems to quickly adapt to the pace of the clash.

They both scored in the closing stages to complete the rout.

Firstly, Snelgrove ghosted in to register his 3rd in as many outings. Finally, with the visitors eyeing the end, a deflected McMenemy effort flew in.

HT Cleethorpes Town 7 (Vernon 19, 37, 67, Cooke 45+2, Robertson 75, Snelgrove 90, McMenemy 90+3)) Ossett United 1 (Haswell 35) Attendance: 374

What a performance – an absolutely outstanding all round team display!!

Great for the lads to get amongst the goals. Someone has definitely been in for a thrashing for a while, and Ossett were the unfortunate team. To put it into context, they are a very much a top 8 side as well.

On we go to next week at Sheffield. A real bogey ground for us, we have only ever claimed a solitary point there. Anyone betting against the Owls next week though?! Hope to see you there.

UP THE OWLS!