Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Maltby joint managers Mark Askwith (left) and Spencer Fearn (right) watched their side lose 6-1 at Cleethorpes
A promising first ten minutes didn’t end well for Maltby Main as they came crashing down to a 5-1 defeat to promotion chasing Cleethorpes Town thanks to goals from league top scorer Marc Cooper, Danny Trott, Jon Oglesby, Luke Mascal and Alex Flett.
Debutant Lynton Karkach the scorer for the main.
Maltby the away side took the game to Cleethorpes in the opening 10 minutes and were rewarded when Karkach opening the scoring with a fine goal poachers goal after a scramble in the box, being in the right place at the right time.
Cleethorpes gradually grew into the game after going 1-0 down and were denied an equaliser thanks to a world class save from Main shot-stopper Jamie Bailey saving Mascal’ point-blank effort.
Just moments later Cleethorpes did grab an equaliser thanks to a terrific goal from the league top scorer Cooper, no one closing him down and Cooper hit an effort from the edge of the box left Bailey with no chance. Just after the half an hour mark and Cleethorpes took the lead with a brilliant counter attack saw Trott give the owls the lead, a Maltby free kick was cleared and Trott raced through and produced a calm finish to slot past Bailey.
Seven Minutes later a bizarre goal came when Cleethorpes’ Oglesby scored direct from a corner to double Cleethorpe’s lead. Maltby did have the chance to reduce the deposit when Danny Swales headed just went wide. It didn’t take Cleethorpes long to add to their lead when a long ball was headed down by Cooper into the feet of Luke Mascal who took on three Main defenders and slotted past Bailey to add a fourth.
Half time saw a change of formation for the Main as they had to go for it.
A drab second half didn’t really see many highlights but Cleethorpes did add a 5th when Alex Flett showed great feet and composure in the box to leave Bailey routed again.
A rare controversial moment happened in the second half when Cleethorpes’ Laurence McKay was shown a straight red card after a horrendous challenge on substitute Luke Gibson. Despite having several efforts Main couldn’t convert and came crumbling down to a 5-1 defeat.
Maltby Main joint manager Spencer Fearn: “Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept you were beaten by a far better side.
“Cleethorpes are the best team we have played so far this season and I fully expect them to be challenging for that top spot by the end of the season “