Clee got just the tonic needed with a 1-0 win at Grantham Town on Tuesday evening. An early goal from Will Annan was enough to move the Owls up to 4th in the NPL East table.

Following Dave Smith’s exit, Jon Davy, Matty Powell & Matt Bloomer took charge of team affairs. Three changes were made to personnel plus a tactical alteration to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

James Williamson, Derry Robson & Brody Robertson dropped out from the Pontefract loss. In came Jon Oglesby, Jack Moore-Billam & Will Annan respectively.

The side lined-up, as follows:

Goal: Tom Jackson
Defence: Sam Topliss, Jordon Cooke, Tim Lowe, Jon Oglesby
Midfield 1: Jack Moore-Billam, Josh Venney
Midfield 1: Jack McMenemy, Alex Flett (c), Will Annan
Attack: Dec Howe

Subs: Josh Smaller, Leon Dawson, Brody Robertson, Derry Robson, Curtis Bateson

On an increasingly cold night at the South Kesteven Stadium, the visitors got off the perfect start, taking the lead after 180 seconds.

To the delight of a boisterous away following, who provided terrific backing for the men in yellow throughout, the recently re-laid pitch was the ideal platform for a magnificent move.

Several fluent passes cut through the Gingerbreads, before Will Annan bravely headed in at the far-post to gobble up the opportunity.

Clee were well in the ascendency in the opening 45.

Captain Flett had a fierce drive deflected wide and Howe was a constant thorn-in-the-side of his markers. In fact, the top-scorer was twice crudely upended close to the area. Unfortunately, from an Owls’ perspective, both opportunities were cleared.

To conclude the action, a Venney daisy-cutter flew the wrong side of the upright.

HT Grantham Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (Annan 3)

The contest was very much more even after the interval, although clear chances became strictly limited.

Nevertheless, Clee needed to dig deep to ensure all the spoils headed back up the A1. Marshalled superbly by Lowe & Cooke in the centre of the defence, the side maintained its shape well, keeping the hosts at arms’ length for a lot of the time.

Bateson & Howe had sighters to settle the clash. They were off-target though, with the solitary 3rd minute strike proving to be enough for the Owls.

At the whistle, the fans made their way to the tunnel to provide a deserved ovation for the players & management.

FT Grantham Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (Annan 4) Attendance: 244

A big 3 points!

After a turbulent few days, which had seen the departure of the popular Dave Smith after 4 years of honest endeavour in the hot-seat, the lads responded in the right manner.

It was a spirited and resolute performance… just the ticket to be honest. Congratulations to all the players and Jon Davy, Matty Powell & Matt Bloomer – well done!

Back to the Myenergi on Saturday, when Sheffield are our guests – hope to see you there.

(Picture credit: Ed Mayes @edmayesphoto)

UP THE OWLS!