Owls through to last 8 of NCEL League Cup

Cleethorpes Town advanced to the last 8 of the league cup at Pickering on Tuesday night where the best and worst was on show from a side who naturally was a little short of match practice following 2 weeks without a game.

Cleethorpes took an early lead as from a corner, Marc Cooper rose unchallenged in the box to head into the net. Pickering gradually came into the game and looked threatening as they saw a number of half chances go astray.

A ball forward from midfield set Louis Grant through one on one but he miscued his shot wide much to the strikers disappointment. From then Pickering where on the front foot and saw an effort hit the upright and number of other efforts go wide as Cleethorpes where struggling to gain any meaningful possession in the Pickering half. Half time saw Cleethorpes go in a goal in front.

The second half started where the first half had ended as Pickering attacked and soon found themselves level as a shot in the area went in off the inside post to level the score. Cleethorpes made a couple of changes and it had instant reward as a ball forward found Brody Robertson who raced clear to lob the advancing Pickering keeper with his first touch to restore the lead.

Cleethorpes looked a different side as the game flowed end to end with chances going astray at both ends. Pickering equalised as a ball from the right wing was met at the far post and knocked in to level the scores once more. There was still time for chances at both end and Cleethorpes had to be thankful to Brad Beattie for a fine point blank save just before full time to take the game into extra time.

Extra time saw Cleethorpes come out at hit the hosts early as a cross to the far post saw Jonathan Oglesby head in at the far post to provide the lead once again, this time though there was no way back for Pickering as Cleethorpes shut the hosts out by keeping the ball in the Pickering half to go through to the last 8.