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Worksop Town 3 Cleethorpes Town 1

Worksop Town 3 Cleethorpes Town 1

David Simpson27 Dec 2021 - 20:57
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OWLS BITTEN BY TIGERS’ FIGHTBACK!

After a magnificent away run of 8 successive victories in the Northern Premier League, the Owls were beaten 3-1 by fellow play-off hopefuls Worksop Town on Monday afternoon.

McCauley Snelgrove scored Clee’s goal – the Hull City loanee registering his second in as many games.

Covid absentees again made life difficult for Dave Smith. There were 2 changes from the previous fixture. Harry Middleton came in for Liam Dickens and Snelgrove made his full debut. Brody Robertson was absent through illness.

The side lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation as follows:

Goal: Tom Jackson
Defence: Tim Lowe, Jordon Cooke, Oli Donald, Loz McKay
Midfield: Harry Middleton, Alex Flett (c), Sam Topliss
Attack: McCauley Snelgrove, Scott Vernon, Jack McMenemy

Subs: Josh Smaller, Liam Dickens, Leon Dawson

A bumper crowd was inside the stadium for the early kick-off, which got underway in drizzly conditions in Nottinghamshire.

The loyal following that travelled from the coast soon had plenty to cheer, as Clee sprinted out of the blocks. Topliss was twice involved. Firstly, firing into the side-netting and then setting up McMenemy, who saw his effort blocked.

A goal looked to be coming and, in the 18th minute, it deservedly fell to the visitors.

McMenemy laid a slide-rule pass for Cooke. The subsequent cross was met by the forehead of McCauley Snelgrove, cleverly gliding in between two defenders to silence the home support.

At this stage, domination was the name of the game for the Owls. Nevertheless, stopper Malkowski made two fine saves to deny Flett and McMenemy. This proved to be pivotal as a feisty clash wore on.

Worksop gradually applied some pressure, and keeper Jackson had a real scare when adjudged to have handled outside his area with half-time approaching. After consulting with his assistant, the referee decided that a yellow was sufficient punishment.

HT Worksop Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (Snelgrove 18)

If the first 45 had been great to watch from an Owl perspective, the second period was a major disappointment. For whatever reason, the men in yellow & black could never find their collective stride and, with Worksop noticeably increasing their intensity, slid to defeat.

Jake Picton equalised with 4 minutes of the restart. The Tigers’ skipper cut in from the right to the apex of the box and, via what appeared to be a slight deflection, unleashed a curler into the top corner (pictured).

Worksop then moved into the ascendency of a compelling Christmas contest. It was to be a double from Steven McDonnell that ensured that there was to be no reward on the day for Clee.

Midway through the half, the striker headed in a loose ball. Subsequently, after another 10 minutes, he claimed his brace after stroking in a Starcenko centre.

As time ticked away, the Owls tried their hardest to conjure a recovery, but Worksop saw it out comfortably enough to record an important 3 points.

HT Worksop Town 3 (Picton 49, McDonnell 67, 77) Cleethorpes Town 1 (Snelgrove 18) Attendance: 672

If only…

Had we taken one (or more) of our first-half chances, I could be reflecting on a win. We didn’t and I’m not – that’s football!

To be fair, I thought we played very well early on. However, best bring a veil down on the second 45, arguably our worst half of the campaign? Don’t panic, we are still 7 points clear of the chasing pack.

With 3 losses in the last 4 though, we need a sizeable haul from 5 January fixtures to ensure that we maintain a decent cushion. I have no doubt that our team can do it, starting against Bridlington on Saturday.

To conclude, thank you for your support during a testing 2021. I wish everyone a very happy, peaceful & healthy New Year.

(Picture credit: Lewis Pickersgill Photography)

UP THE OWLS!

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