By Match report: Clee Town register impressive away win at Bridlington
Cleethorpes Town secured a convincing win on the road at Bridlington Town last night.
Will Annan’s opener was backed up by an Alex Flett double to hand the Owls a 3-0 victory on the Yorkshire coast and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Nathan Arnold made three changes to his side, with Dan Gallimore, Harvey Tomlinson and Annan all drafted into the starting lineup.
The weather was very cold at kick-off, but the pre-match sleet had subsided before the game got underway.
It was Clee that started the better side, as they were largely camped in the hosts’ half for the best part of the opening 15 minutes.
They survived a scare at the other end in what was Bridlington’s best chance of the game when Jack Bulless headed over from close-range to ensure it remained level.
The Owls were still the better side, though, and deservedly took the lead half an hour into the contest after Annan flicked the ball into the corner of the net from a cross into the box.
They continued to push forward in search of a second as half-time approached and they were gifted a penalty following a clumsy foul on Curtis Bateson inside the area. Captain Flee stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong to put his side firmly in control of the game.
Although Bridlington emerged from the break with more purpose than they showed in the first half, the Clee backline stood firm to prevent them from having any clear-cut opportunities.
Bateson was unfortunate to not add a third when his shot hit the inside of the post, before rolling along the line and into the hands of the keeper.
They weren’t to be denied for much longer, though, as Flett made his claim for goal of the season with a long-range strike that flew into the top corner from about 30 yards out to seal an impressive victory.
The result also makes it four clean sheets in the last five games for the Owls, as they look to get back involved in the battle for the playoffs.
