Late goal barrage stuns Nailers

Manager, Peter Duffield introduced new signings Jamie Jackson, Martin Smyth, Antony Rowley and Chris Jones into the squad but due to holiday commitments he was deprived of the services of his other new signings, Sam Duncum and Jake Dale-Brown.

His problems were compounded by the absence of key players Glyn Cotton, Shaun Roulston, Dan White and Aaron Pride, all of which had the Belper manager having to field a makeshift defence with winger Chris Adam having to fill in a left back.

There was also a surprise return to the club for Ash Longstaff who took his place on the substitutes bench alongside just three others in a hugely depleted Nailers squad.

Belper took the lead early in the game when Cleethorpes’ ‘keeper, Miles Fenty fumbled a cross from the left and Jamie Jackson had the easiest of tasks to tap into an empty net.

Within a matter of minutes, the Nailers doubled their lead after Antony Rowley’s burst of pace penetrated the Cleethorpes defence and he picked out Mark Ward who guided his effort into the right hand corner.

Belper’s domination continued and it was almost 3-0 after an exquisite reverse pass from Ward put through Jamie Jackson but he fluffed the opportunity as his shot cleared the crossbar.

This was followed by another impressive solo run from Rowley who evaded a sliding challenge and weaved through two defenders before whipping his effort just wide of the top corner.

At the other end, Cleethorpes were creating very little with the only real attacking opportunity arising from some good wide play from Jonathan Oglesby who picked out Jack Denham but his tame header was gathered by Ratcliffe.

The first opportunity of the second half was created by Cleethorpes Town as Darren Hanslip’s pass found Alex Flett who blazed his chance over the bar.

The Nailers again began to exert some pressure on the home defence as Cleethorpes’ substitute ‘keeper goalkeeper Scott Drury denied Ashley Longstaff in a one-on-one opportunity. This was followed by some heroic defending to clear a looping effort from Antony Rowley off the line.

Cleethorpes also showed some good quality play of their own when Luke Mascall was presented with a good opportunity on the edge of the box after great interchange with Jonathan Oglesby but he failed to keep his shot down.

The pressure from the home side continued as defender Richard Peck, who had ventured forward, created a gilt-edged opportunity for Nathan Emson but his finish didn’t match the quality of the build-up.

But the Nailere were denied a critical third goal when Jon Froggatt’s free kick from the edge of the box smacked against the upright with Drury well beaten.

With time running out, Cleethorpes eventually pulled a goal back after Oglesby made the most of a creative back heel that was played into his path and the winger picked out Nathan Emson who made no mistake with the finish.

And just as Belper had in the first half, Cleethorpes followed this up with a quick fire second.

Clever play from Michael Steer created the opening and great combination on the right between Oglesby and Mascall left the latter with an opportunity and the winger duly delivered.

Then to the delight of the home supporters, the hosts completed the turnaround in spectacular fashion when Jack Denham’s stunning shot from 25 yards, clipped the post on the way into the net to leave a tiring Belper side contemplating an unlikely defeat.

Team: Ratcliffe (Lindley), Smyth, Adam, Marrison, Adams, Jones, Rowley, Warne, Ward (Froggatt), Jackson (Owen), Harrison (Longstaff).

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