By Match report: Cleethorpes Town secure dramatic late victory over Tadcaster
An injury-time winner ensured Cleethorpes Town edged out Tadcaster Albion at the MyEnergi Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Harvey Tomlinson levelled up proceedings after the visitors went in a goal up at the break, before Jack McMenemy found the net deep into added time to secure the three points for the Owls.
After back-to-back draws during the festive period, Nathan Arnold, who was coming up against his former Grimsby Town teammate Andy Monkhouse in the opposite dugout, made two changes to his starting lineup.
New signing James McKeown came in for Tom Jackson in goal, with midfielder Jack Moore-Billam preferred to fellow loanee Tomlinson, as Clee looked to freshen things up and get back to winning ways against the side lurking at the bottom of the table.
Before the start of the game, tributes were paid to the popular Colin Wicks, who sadly passed away on Wednesday.
All of those in attendance at the stadium joined in with a minute’s applause, and there was also a memorial plaque placed on Colin’s regular seat, with flowers given to the committee man’s family.
The Owls started the game in a positive fashion, as the wet pitch held up well after absorbing a substantial amount of rain.
McMenemy and Curtis Bateson both went close to opening the scoring in the early stages, while captain Alex Flett also shot narrowly wide following a skilful dribble.
Shortly after that, a superb move involving Will Annan almost led to a goal, before defender Tom Jamieson fired into the side-netting.
Despite enjoying the majority of the possession and chances, the home side fell behind just before the break.
A quick counter saw the Brewers break free down the left flank and a Lewis Hey cross was powerfully headed into the corner by striker Luke Hinsley to ensure his side went in ahead at half-time.
Clee continued to press forward in search of an equaliser after the break but, as time wore on, frustration began to grow for the hosts.
Albion, who were yet to win a league game so far this season, began to sense that they going to pull off a shock result.
But after debutant Josh Mazfari had denied Jordon Cooke with an excellent save, a triple substitution in the 63rd minute sparked an Owls revival.
A delightful through ball from Flett found substitute Tomlinson and the young Grimsby Town loanee showed superb composure to supply the low finish into the net.
McKeown then pulled off an impressive stop to deny Omar Sanyang to keep the scores level.
That save proved to be a pivotal one because, with seven additional minutes shown, Clee dug deep to find a winner.
McMenemy received the ball in the box and let fly with a low, left-footed strike that Mazfari got fingers to but couldn’t prevent it from finding the target, sparking wild scenes at the Church End.
That goal secured an important win on an emotional day for the club and it opened up a five-point gap to the sides outside of the playoff places.
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