Match Preview proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Date: Saturday 26th October 2019
Venue: Craik Park, Morpeth Common, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YX
Kick Off: 3pm
Competition: FA Trophy
Highlights: Highwaymen TV
The Highwaymen face Cleethorpes Town at Craik Park on Saturday in the FA Trophy.
History
The club has just enjoyed it’s most successful season winning both the NCEL Premier Division, setting a new points record, alongside the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy. In addition the side made it to the final of the FA Vase, a truly remarkable achievement within 20 years since the club’s formation.
Cleethorpes Town has come a long way in its relatively short history. Initially formed in 1998 as Lincolnshire Soccer School, it was the brainchild of former Grimsby Town player Tommy Watson. The team was an immediate success with boys and girls teams’ spanning every age group and the club began to grow quickly.
In 2003, the club set up a flagship senior team. In the team’s first season within the Lincolnshire League they secured a credible fourth place finish for which the foundations for the future were set.
Now rebranded as Cleethorpes Town, the club has redeveloped into an important community outlet. With over 35 teams competing at every level of local and regional football, the Owls are one of the largest clubs in the area and still continue to expand in all areas.
The development and evolution of Cleethorpes Town Football Club has been spearheaded by the first team. With the arrival of a new manager during the 2010-11 season it saw the club, languishing in the lower places in the Sills and Betteridge Lincolnshire League, go on to finish the season in an amazing third place. In addition, the club collected the Supplementary Cup by defeating Heckington United in the final at Sincil Bank.
The 2011-12 season saw the Owls not only become champions of the Lincs League but also win the Challenge Cup. The club was at this point accepted into the Northern Counties East League.
Our first season in the NCEL saw us finish fourth in the Division 1 table with some impressive victories along the way. It was a steep learning curve for the players, management and staff.
In 2014-15 the club started life in the NCEL Premier Division in slow fashion and with a mountain of cup games fell behind the main pack. But once the FA Cup exploits had finished, we went on a run of 11 then 9 games without defeat which saw us climb the league table and had the rest looking over their shoulders. We finished the campaign in 4th place, and also got to the NCEL League Cup Final which we narrowly lost.
The Owls began season 2015-16 in sluggish fashion and sat second bottom in the league table in September. However, a great run for the rest of the season saw the team finish in third place to record the sides highest ever league finish. In addition to this Cleethorpes Town reached the last 32 of the FA Vase for the first time and finished the season in style by beating league champions Tadcaster Albion 3-2 to lift the Northern Counties East League Cup in a thrilling cup final.
Last Match
Morpeth suffered last minute heartache on Saturday when they drew 1-1 at Hyde United. Ben Ramsey scored with his first touch on his first team debut in the 90th minute; before Hyde captain Tom Pratt scored in the 95th minute.
The Owls were in action at Chasetown and were forced to settle for a point. Scott Vernon put Clee ahead but the second goal never arrived and the hosts leveled through George Cater.
Manager
Dave Smith: Previously working as assistant manager, Dave was given the managerial reigns following a management reshuffle earlier this season.
