Friendly

30th July 2005

Attendance -

Team - Whitby Town: Campbell, Obern, Veart, Hudson, Farthing, Richards, Brown, Scaife, Raw, Robinson, Nicholson. Subs: L Gildea, Ormerod, McTiernan, Atkinson, Burke, Butterworth.

Report - by Andrew Snaith - Whitby grabbed the lead at a rainswept Central Avenue on 22 minutes when Craig Veart's pinpoint long ball found Scott Nicholson who slotted comfortably past Jackson from 12 yards.

The Blues continued to have the better of the play with Raw's pace a real feature. Graham Robinson was unlucky to rattle the top of the crosbar with a long range effort following another good move, and Nick Scaife sent a free-kick narrowly wide.

Synthonia gradually came into the game after the break and were level when Danny Farthing's rash slide challenge felled a home striker and veteran former Whitby forward Micky Dunwell sent Campbell the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Northern League runners-up took a shock lead moments later after Farthing lost possession and number seven was left unmarked to slot home a chance Paddy Spenceley could've netted blindfolded.

Whitby replaced strikers Robinson and Raw with Gildea and Ormerod midway through the second period. And when Ormerod's drive was charged down, Andrew Brown was on hand to fire into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box to make it 2-2. Brown almsost won the match for the Seasiders right at the end but his powerful half volley was brilliantly saved by keeper Jackson.

Even later on, Whitby had a succession of chances including what looked a decent shout for handball but the rather inconsistent official blew for full-time to rule out having to make a decision.

The Blues continue to look a little off the pace, going backwards too often when they could've gone forward. Raw and Robinson impressed, with Brown also standing out with a solid display. Dave Campbell made some useful stops on a difficult surface, but Whitby will have to improve their fitness if they are to challenge Boro's youngsters on Wednesday night.