Hebburn Town 3-1 Cleethorpes Town – Match Highlights and Report

Hebburn Town secured a spot in the Northern Premier League East Division playoffs after defeating Cleethorpes Town 3-1 on Saturday.

Amar Purewal opened the scoring in just three minutes before the Hornets’ advantage was cancelled in the 12th minute by Cleethorpes’ Sam Topliss.

The teams went in even at the break, but Robbie Spence regained Hebburn’s lead in the 48th minute while an Olly Martin penalty in the 53rd minute guaranteed all three points.

Crucially, Daniel Moore’s side have finished the league campaign in third position which gives the Hornets a tie-up with Long Eaton United which gives them every chance of promotion.

The game couldn’t have started in a better way for Hebburn, when Moore’s kick sent Purewal through on goal, with only James McKeown – who fumbled an intended clearing header – to beat. 

Purewal slotted without pressure into an empty net, but it wasn’t long before the visitors equalised.

Alex Flett and goalscorer Topliss combined beautifully, managing to tuck away his finish into the far corner past keeper Shaun Newbrook.

A sequence of close efforts from Cleethorpes’ Jack McMenemy and Hebburn’s Martin rounded up the first-half and the teams went into the break level.

Due to results elsewhere a draw would have been enough to secure a play-off spot, but Hebburn took matters into their own hands amid the constant downpour at The Green Energy Sports Ground all afternoon.

The football wasn’t as dreary as the weather thankfully as the Hornets restored their lead just a few minutes into the second-half when Robbie Spence fired his shot, helped by a cross originally from Tom Devitt’s throw in, fell his way.

The lead was increased further only five minutes after that when Purewal was tripped through on goal by defender Josh Smaller. 

Martin made no mistake thereafter, and the game petered out as Hebburn came to terms with their impending achievement. 

Hebburn Town are next in action this Tuesday at home against Long Eaton United in the play-offs. 

Hebburn Town: Newbrook, Devitt, Groves, Moore, Reid, Thompson, Hackett, Spence, Purewal (Henderson), Martin (McCamley), Walton (Murray).

Subs: James Harrison, Wayne Phillips.

Cleethorpes Town: McKeown, Jamieson, Oglesby (Annan), Topliss, Walker (Smaller), Richards, Tomlinson (Essel), Gallimore, Bateson, Flett, McMenemy.

Subs: Parr, Lowe.