16th September 2003

Attendance - 295

Team - Clementson, Betts, Linighan, Reed, Hall, Dixon(Campbell 24), Nicholson, Robinson, Ormerod, Ure(Johnson 86), Veart. Sub not used: O’Bern

Report by Andrew Snaith - Whitby grabbed their third win in four matches, and jumped eight places to 13th after coming from 2-1 down to beat former League club Bradford Park Avenue 3-2, thanks to two goals in the last seven minutes from Anthony Ormerod and Paul Campbell.
The Blues travelled to Horsfall Stadium without striker Jamie Burt, who has been the subject of recent speculation linking him with a move to his hometown club Blyth Spartans. Harry Dunn rung the changes after Saturday’s defeat, defender Tony Hall returned from injury with fellow centre-half Brian Linighan also back in the side- the 3-5-2 formation also made a comeback. Lee Ure replaced Burt up front, with Paul Campbell dropping to the bench and local lad Mark Swales not even making the squad.
The Seasiders came agonisingly close to taking the lead as early as the second minute when skipper Graham Robinson’s powerful low drive was parried by keeper Boswell, and Ure saw his follow-up blocked on the line.
The game meandered along until the 14th minute when the home side somehow took the lead with a goal completely out of the blue, as Craig Smith rifled home from 25 yards straight into the top right corner of the Whitby net.
Ben Dixon limped off ten minutes later with midfielder Paul Campbell his replacement as the Seasiders regrouped and continued their search for an equaliser. However, the rest of the half was a tepid affair as both sides were limited to shots from distance despite the plush looking surface.
Six minutes after the break, an almighty scramble in the Bradford box saw Ure’s tame shot easily collected by Boswell. Ormerod then produced some magic when he cut in from the left and fired a 20 yard pearler against Boswell’s left hand post with the keeper beaten, the rebound struck Ure from point blank range with a relieved Boswell able to collect.
Whitby were not to be denied and the 65th minute saw the Blues level the scores. Veart’s pinpoint cross was headed back across goal by Scott Nicholson and finally found its way into the net through a mass of bodies, with unlucky defender Graham Mitchell getting the last touch.
But just as they'd even the scores, the Seasiders were made to pay for some shoddy play as the hosts regained the lead with twelve minutes remaining. Linighan’s mistimed lunge was evaded by former Newcastle United defender Carl Serrant who teed up Oleksewycz to drive the ball sweetly across Clementson from the edge of the box and inside the far post, giving the keeper no chance.
The home side then suddenly lost goalkeeper Boswell through illness, with substitute Storer taking the reins. Whitby were quick to take advantage forcing a succession of corners. Finally, their persistence paid off as Ormerod rose unchallenged to nod home Veart’s accurate cross for Whitby’s second equaliser.
Steve Johnson replaced fellow striker Lee Ure for the last four minutes; as has become the norm in this league, Ure spent most of his time being booted around the field by slower opponents. But it was the Blues who were to have the last laugh as Robinson barged his way into the Bradford box and Campbell was there to slam home the loose ball for a last minute winner; the elation on the former Darlington midfielder's face said it all as he sprinted towards the touchline to celebrate.