Frickley Athletic 1 Cleethorpes Town 1

The Owls claimed a very useful point on Tuesday evening in the BetVictor Northern Premier League at Frickley Athletic. Scott Vernon fired the visitors ahead in the 9th minute before being pegged back late on by a Zeph Thomas goal. The turning point of the 1-1 outcome was on the hour, with Tim Lowe seeing red.

Three changes from the Stamford defeat and a slightly different formation was decided upon by manager Dave Smith. In came new-signing Ross Hannah, along with Tim Lowe and Caine Winfarrah. Starting on the bench following the weekend loss were Harry Middleton, Oli Donald and Josh Lacey. Jon Oglesby moved to left-back. A 4-4-2 was deployed when in possession and if required to defend, it was more of a 4-2-3-1.

The side lined-up as follows:

Goal: Theo Richardson
Defence: Sam Topliss, Tim Lowe, Paul Walker, Oli Donald, Jon Oglesby
Midfield: Curtis Bateson, Alex Flett (c), Conor Marshall, Caine Winfarrah
Attack: Scott Vernon, Ross Hannah

Subs: Lewis Collins, Harry Middleton, Oli Donald, Rieves Boocock, Josh Lacey

It had been an extremely windy day on the East coast, but this had given way to calm & cold conditions in West Yorkshire by kick-off. The best part of a quarter of the sparse attendance was made up of travelling Owls, who gave their usual fine backing throughout an ill-tempered clash.

No clear openings early on, as both outfits eased their way into the game, but Clee did make the breakthrough in the 9th minute. It was new-boy Hannah who did well to find space through the inside-left channel and, showing his vast experience, slotted a delightful square pass to Scott Vernon. The top-scorer coolly picked his spot and planted the ball into the corner.

Keeper Richardson got down well to turn away a low shot, as Frickley threatened for the first time. However, it was the Owls who generally carried the greater threat of an increasingly feisty affair. One or two tackles, that on another day may have incurred entry into the referee’s notebook, went unpunished.

The lively Winfarrah burst along the left-flank in the 35th minute, but the covering defender made a clean tackle and the same player was also denied when Jackson spread himself excellently to beat out a decent chance. Then, just prior to the break, an Oglesby curler went close.

HT Frickley Athletic 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (Vernon 9)

Clee would have been pleased with their first 45 and possibly would have been disappointed not to be 2 up.

After the restart, Frickley were definitely more energised. Nevertheless, the Owls appeared to be coping relatively comfortably, until the simmering tension boiled over completely on the hour.

Tim Lowe went into a crunching tackle on King and virtually all 22-participants raced to the halfway line for plenty of pushing & shoving. In the melee, the referee dismissed the Clee defender and another couple of players were lucky not to head for an early bath as well. However, after consulting both assistants, Mr Bacon let play recommence following a delay of around 3 minutes.

Scott Vernon was immediately sacrificed for defender Oli Donald, as the Owls set about protecting their advantage for the remaining half-hour.

Unsurprisingly, it was now largely back-to-the-walls stuff, with Hannah, who had impressed on his debut, ploughing a lone furrow up front. A second substitution saw Josh Lacey replace Bateson.

The defence was showing superb resolution, repelling a series of attacks and when Frickley did get an effort on-target, keeper Richardson was in defiant mood with a couple of smart saves.

Just when it seemed that the Owls may weather the storm, Athletic forced the leveller in the 81st minute. Richardson swooped down to his left at full-stretch to make a stop. but the rebound fell kindly for Zeph Thomas, who tapped in.

A final change was made – Hannah giving way to fellow loanee Rieves Boocock. Amazingly, despite being a man short, it was to be Clee that went closest to dramatically snatching all the spoils in injury time. Winfarrah’s in-swinging corner deceived Jackson but agonisingly skimmed away to safety off the bar.

FT Frickley Athletic 1 (Thomas 81) Cleethorpes Town 1 (Vernon 9) Attendance: 110

Always a bit disappointing not to win after you lead for so long. However, in the circumstances, I am calling it as a point gained!

Great fortitude shown in the final 30 minutes and the new shape worked nicely I thought. As for the sending-off, from my view in the Main Stand, I can see why the official gave it. However, Tim was not helped by the challenge being turned into a flashpoint and the baying locals around the dugouts. It could have easily been a yellow.

Ross Hannah did very well and promises to be a good acquisition. Theo Richardson also comes close to winning successive man-of-the-match accolades but, on this occasion, I prefer Caine Winfarrah. He could well prove to be quite a handful for opponents on the wing – well played!

Finally, many thanks to the travelling support – a fine turnout on a cold February evening. Appreciated as always by the players & management.

Details:
Saturday 8th February – 3pm
Kidsgrove Athletic – BetVictor Northern Premier League
Linden, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL

Admission:
Adults £8, Concessions £5, Under 16s £2

UP THE OWLS!