By Match report: Arnold records first victory as Cleethorpes Town boss at Brighouse
Nathan Arnold recorded his first victory as Cleethorpes Town boss on the road at Brighouse Town on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Curtis Bateson and Paul Walker ensured a 2-1 win that moved the Owls up to third in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
New manager Arnold, who joined the club on Wednesday on the back of two defeats, had just 72 hours to get his side prepared for the trip to West Yorkshire.
He made three changes from midweek, with Josh Venney sidelined with a back injury, and Josh Smaller and Brody Robertson also missing out. Bateson, Will Annan and Jack McMenemy all returned to the lineup.
It was a beautiful afternoon in West Yorkshire, with bright sunshine greeting the players ahead of the playing of the Last Post and a minute’s silence in memory of those killed serving their country.
Backed by a boisterous following from the coast, Clee began the game positively, despite the surface making fluent passing football not easy.
Once established, the Owls gradually got on top and their best period of the half resulted in a deserved breakthrough in the 32nd minute.
Shortly after an effort had been ruled out for offside, an Annan chip was athletically tipped onto the bar by Hassall. The keeper was out of luck, though, as Bateson charged in to convert from close-range.
The hosts responded well and grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Javelle Clarke found himself in the right place to stab home after a goalmouth scramble.
After the break, the game was relatively even and became largely a war of attrition, with half-chances very much the order of the day.
The game looked destined to end in a draw as the half drew on, but defender Walker ensured that wouldn’t be the case with 10 minutes left to play.
He accelerated smoothly through the inside-right channel and unleashed an unstoppable rocket into the roof of the net to put Clee back in front.
The Owls dug deep to see out the remainder of the contest and earn an important three points on the road for Arnold and his side.
