Champions elect Cleethorpes Town in emphatic win over Sherwood Colliery
Cleethorpes Town moved to within 1 win of the NPL East title after a dismantling of Sherwood Colliery at a cold Linden Club ground on Tuesday night. The champions elect were too strong in every department for a Sherwood Colliery team that came into the game on the back of 2 much improved displays.
Northern Premier League East, Tuesday 8th April
Cleethorpes Town 6 (Abbott 3’, Annan 29’, 47’, Bateson 56’, Walker 63’, Adam Haw 82’)
The Wood made 2 changes with Jamie York and Oliver Lobley recalled. From the first whistle it was apparent that ‘The Owls’ of Cleethorpes were up for the game, a high pressing game reaped massive rewards as ‘The Wood’ just could not get any foothold. It helped the home team that a goal came so early, indeed after just 3 minutes a cross from the right was met by Bradley Abbott who outjumped his marker to power a header into the corner. The Wood tried to clear their heads but were constantly overturned in possession as the home team’s industry and desire was evident. It was 16 minutes before ‘The Wood’ mustered any sort of counter, Jacob Barrass countered down the right, his cross met by Jacob Pearce who couldn’t direct his header with any power or accuracy. Their best opportunity came from a quick free kick taken by Pearce on halfway that released loanee Charlie Clements who managed to track inside and shoot low from 20 yards, Ollie Battersby saving his effort. This was the only respite as the home team dominated proceedings, the second goal duly arrived on 29 minutes, Curtis Bateson producing a beautiful cross that asked to headed home and was done with relish by Will Annan from 5 yards. The pressure was unrelenting, Nicky Walker went close, his effort blocked. A series of corner kicks were defended with increasing desperation and late in the half Josh Walker went close, chipping both Jordan Pierrepont in ‘The Wood’s’ goal but seeing his effort clear the bar.
The second half began as the first, an attack down the right wing ended with Annan capitalising on a rebound off ‘Wood’ goalkeeper Pierrepont to score his second and Cleethorpes third goal. On 56 minutes, Bateson got the goal his performance deserved, cooling lifting the ball over Pierrepont after a slip had left the winger clear on goal. The Wood tried to respond; Jamie York was denied a shooting chance by a great tackle after Terry Atem had picked him out in the penalty area before Billy Gillies hit a tame shot that was easy for Battersby. The respite was brief, Nicky Walker adding a 5th goal after 63 minutes, a classy finish past the onrushing Pierrepont who was again exposed. Walker went close again as ‘The Owls’ kept up the pressure. Oliver Monington did manage to get a shot away for ‘The Wood’, his effort deflected onto the crossbar, before Billy Gillies was denied a consolation goal as he hit the post from Atem’s cross after some good approach play. It was appropriate that the home team that had the final say, Adam Haw completing the scoring in the 82nd minute, scoring from close range following a ball from the left.
Manager Wayne Savage commented “Difficult to find any positives tonight. In fairness we have met the best team in the league on a night where they have been excellent, and we had no answers.No point in me digging out players, we tried to keep going but in all honesty it’s a very sad night for us. Congratulations to Cleethorpes Town, they will be worthy champions”.
SCFC Supporters Man of the Match: Charlie Clements
The Wood are away again on Saturday 12th April at Stocksbridge Park Steels where a defeat would effectively relegate us back to Step 5.
Stocksbridge Park Steels (A)
Sat 12 Apr, 3.00pm KO
Bracken Moor,
S36 2AN
Gate: £9 / £6