On an incredible afternoon at the Raygar Stadium, Clee defeated Belper Town 5-0 to secure their biggest away win in the Northern Premier League since December 2019.

A brace from Alex Flett plus strikes by Paul Walker, Harvey Tomlinson and Curtis Bateson ensured that the team eased to a notable quick-fire double over the play-off hopefuls.

One change from the XI that won the reverse fixture on Wednesday. Josh Venney came in for Will Annan, and the side lined up as follows:

Keeper: Ben Bottomley
Defence: Tom Jamieson, Paul Walker, Ben Middleton, AJ Adelekan
Midfield: Josh Venney, Alex Flett (c), Sam Kay
Attack: Harvey Tomlinson, Josh Walker, Curtis Bateson

Subs: Jordon Cooke, Jack Pearson (gk), Louis Boyd, Will Annan, Max Adamson

It was a pleasant enough day in Derbyshire at 3pm and, following a booking apiece in the opening action, which was an omen of events to come, the visitors eased ahead in the 9th minute.

A poor challenge by Watt on Tomlinson secured a fairly central free-kick around 22-yards from the target. Captain Alex Flett got a good connection on the ball and, courtesy of a deflection off the wall, it flew into the net.

Just the tonic needed to quieten the home faithful, and the Owls went close to doubling their advantage as the half unfolded.

A long Adelekan throw was headed onto to the bar by (J) Walker and both Venney & Tomlinson also tested the home stopper.

Belper were incensed when Rhodes was dismissed just after the half-hour mark for a second bookable offence. Clee seized their opportunity of playing against 10-men by making it 3-0 before the interval.

Firstly, Paul Walker got on the end of a centre from Flett, who had done fantastically well to work his way along the by-line.

Then, another flowing move ripped the defence to shreds and a grateful Harvey Tomlinson was on-hand to gobble up the chance.

HT Belper Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 3 (Flett 9, P Walker 37, Tomlinson 42)

The homesters thought they had a route back into the contest 5 minutes after the restart, when a penalty was awarded.

Doncaster Rovers loanee Ben Bottomley had other ideas though, flying down low to his left to make a smart save to thwart Bastos.

A short time later, Clee fully ensured all the spoils were heading back to the East coast by adding a fourth. Curtis Bateson finishing with aplomb beyond Moore.

(J) Walker was denied when shooting too high, but Alex Flett did apply the icing to the cake with around 15 left to play. Following a foul in the area, the skipper coolly tucked the award away.

There were then two more sending offs. Sub Jordon Cooke saw red, and Bastos seemed unlucky to receive a 2nd yellow, when adjudged to have dived inside the box.

The crowd were collectively stunned but, even in injury time, there was to be 3 more additions to the notebook. At the final whistle, fans vented their fury by booing off the referee.

FT Belper Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 5 (Flett 9, 76 pen, P Walker 37, Tomlinson 42, Bateson 54) Attendance: 472

In my 50 years watching live football, at all levels, I have never witnessed a match quite like this one!

Sure, it was, at times, a fiery affair but the number of reds & yellows issued by the referee was quite extraordinary. Clearly, the FA will be asking for both sides’ observations on the events, and I intend to make some very frank comments on behalf of the Club.

However, all the shenanigans should not take the gloss off another brilliant performance. WELL PLAYED LADS!

We’ve enjoyed a week to remember. Let’s get the 6 points from the final 2 fixtures to finish as high as possible in the East Division.

Many thanks for your support today and I look forward to seeing you at the Myenergi Stadium next Saturday, when we welcome Stocksbridge.

UP THE OWLS!