15th October 2003

Attendance - 364

Team - Clementson, O'Bern, Williams, Hall, Reed.A, Dixon (Capt), Campbell (sub Swales 79), Veart, Ormerod, Ure (sub Johnson 88 ), Browne (sub Reed.M 73) Subs not used: McTiernan & Campbell.D (Gk)

Report - by BJM - Apart from a very nervous final 5 minutes of time added on, Whitby controlled the game without giving visitors Warrington too many opportunities to claim another UniBond scalp.
The Blues dominated the first 45 minutes & deservedly went in two goals ahead. The first came in the 13th minute courtesy of a penalty awarded for handball. Craig Veart stepped up to thump home his sixth goal of the season, four of them from the penalty spot. Warrington battled hard throughout the half without much to show for their labour & in the 39th minute Whitby doubled their lead. A left wing cross from Ben Dixon, relishing his role on the flank, was partially cleared but found Graeme Williams well placed to strike the ball left-footed into the bottom corner of the net from around 12 yards.
The second half followed a similar pattern & it could easily have been 3-0 in the 55th minute when Lee Ure went on a jinking run from the half way line. His incisive pass split the defence to find Ormerod in space but his shot rolled agonisingly the wrong side of the post. Whitby's diminutive forward was a constant thorn in the visitors' side all evening until he was finally substituted late in the game. The winner of the "Who can kick Lee Ure highest into the air" competition was won convincingly by Warrington skipper Lee Webster. His prize being a bright yellow card from referee Mr Grunnill when the majority of the crowd thought a glowing red one would suit him better.
With the game slowly slipping away from the visitors, Whitby's defence were caught napping when a quickly taken free kick on the right flank was floated to the far post with only 3 minutes remaining. Warrington striker Graham Mitchell leapt high to nod the ball past Clementson from close range.
Despite their dominance, Whitby were rocking in the final minutes & had Warrington done better with their chances they may have forced extra time.
Whitby now face a daunting trip to Bromsgrove in the 4th qualifying round of the competition a week on Saturday.