Cleethorpes Town 3 Stamford 3 (5-3 on penalties)

A dramatic night in Lincoln saw the Owls defeat Stamford on penalties to lift the Lincolnshire Senior Cup for the first time. The match had finished 3-3 after a pulsating 90 minutes, which kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.

With Dylan Parkin “cup-tied” (along with Sam Topliss), there was an opportunity for young keeper David Birch to catch Dave Smith’s eye. A fully fit Danny North was also recalled to the starting XI, which lined-up as follows:

Goal: David Birch
Defence: Tim Lowe, Oli Donald, Matt Bloomer, Paul Walker
Midfield: Lewis Collins, Liam Dickens, Alex Flett (captain), Josh Batty
Attack: Scott Vernon, Danny North

Subs: Craig Disley, Luke Mascall, Loz McKay, Brody Robertson, Jon Oglesby, Jack Richardson

The decider got off to a high tempo start, with both sides moving the ball well on the wet surface. However, the Owls were rocked back as Stamford raced into a 2-goal lead inside the opening quarter-hour and both strikes were very similar.

In the 6th minute, a long throw from the left was only partially cleared and Jake Duffy fired home through a ruck of players. Then, with 13 on the watch, a corner was floated in and Josh Egginton rifled in from 15 yards.

Rather than be downhearted though, Clee rolled up their collective sleeves and began to seize the initiative with some delightful football.

After a spell of pressure forced the Daniels back, Scott Vernon struck in the 20th minute. Batty, who was finding a fair bit of space on the wing, delivered a delicious cross to the far post. The big number 9 had left his marker for dead with a late run but still had plenty to do. Nevertheless, he conjured a superb looping header over stopper Haystead from an acute angle.

The Owls now had the wind firmly in their sails and dominated the next period of play. North had a fierce goalbound drive blocked and Collins dragged a shot wide after cutting in-field.

With the tie approaching the halfway stage, it became more even and Stamford threatened when a 30-yard thunderbolt flew inches over Birch’s bar. As the players headed in for a half-time cuppa, Clee could count themselves unfortunate to be trailing.

HT Cleethorpes Town 1 (Vernon 20) Stamford 2 (Duffy 6, Egginton 13)

The Cup was very much up for grabs and it was a fired-up Owls who found a purple patch to turn the match on its head.

Roared on by a healthy and boisterous support down from the East Coast, it became one-way traffic and, after 57 minutes, Stamford could withstand no longer. Some slick interchange passing eventually found Lowe on the wing. The full-back’s cross was inch-perfect and Josh Batty was on hand to mop up the chance to deservedly level matters.

Better was to follow, as within 4 minutes the Owls soared into the lead. Captain Flett, who was leading his troops by example, sized up a shooting chance and his stinger was only parried by Haystead. First to react to the loose ball was Scott Vernon, who coolly sidestepped the prone keeper and rolled his 12th goal of the campaign into the net.

A series of substitutions was made as the clock began to tick down. North, Batty and Collins were replaced by Robertson, Mascall and Richardson respectively.

Clee were showing tremendous spirit and playing some of their best football of the season. It came as something of a surprise that a fourth did not come to make the Cup secure but, in the best traditions of knock-out competitions, Stamford dug deep to claw their way back into things inside the final 10 minutes.

With the Owls sitting slightly deeper, Morris threaded a defence splitting pass though the inside right channel and Ollie Brown-Hill slotted past Birch.

The dying embers of proceedings was played at a frenetic pace, as both sides went hammer-and-tongs to deliver the killer blow. It was the Daniels who went closest, with a dipping shot rattling the crossbar. No more scoring though and, at the final whistle, the richly entertained crowd settled down for a nerve-jangling penalty shootout.

FT Cleethorpes Town 3 (Vernon 20, 61, Batty 57) Stamford 3 (Duffy 6, Egginton 13, Brown-Hill 82) Attendance: 283

The first four penalties all found the target. Whereas Scott Vernon and Paul Walker gave Haystead no chance with confident strikes, Birch got his hand to both of Stamford’s kicks but, agonisingly, not quite enough to keep them out.

Next up for the Owls was Tim Lowe. Once again, the Clee man showed composure to regain the lead. Then, up stepped Boachie for the Daniels. The young man’s very short run-up perhaps indicated a degree of nerves and David Birch flew to his left to palm away the effort.

Delight all round amongst the Clee faithful and, when Liam Dickens found the top corner, the Owls were on the verge of adding a new chapter to the Club’s 20-year history. Stamford scored their fourth which meant, with the score standing 4-3, Alex Flett was handed the responsibility of winning the Cup with Clee’s final penalty.

It was altogether fitting that the Club captain should be left with the task. The inspirational midfielder has been a virtual ever-present through the recent “glory years”. Showing complete calm, Flett blasted the ball beyond Haystead to seal Clee’s fifth trophy in the last six seasons.

Cleethorpes Town win 5-3 on penalties

What a great night!!

A real treat of a Cup-tie that ebbed and flowed. I thought our overall display was excellent, showing tremendous character to battle our way back from two behind.

There were several standout performances but, on this occasion, I am not going to single anyone out. What I will say is, all 17-players who pulled on the blue and black shirt can be thoroughly proud of the spirit and teamwork they showed. It would have been easy to go into our shell and fear the worst after the early blows but not a bit of it. Well done lads!

A few words for Dave Smith (and the rest of his newly appointed team). It is never easy to step into the limelight, particularly following such a successful manager as Marcus. However, his calm manner is underpinned by a strong desire to bring further success to the Owls. Yesterday evening gives me great hope for the future!

Onwards to the task of moving up the Evostik East. It all starts on Saturday (10th – 3pm) with a visit from Loughborough Dynamo. I know our marvellous fans will be out in force.

Admission: Adults £8 Concessions (over 65s and 16-18) £4 Under 16s £2

UP THE OWLS!