FA Trophy 1st Qualifying

17th October 2009

Attendance - 274

Team - Campbell, Lyth, Scott, Ingram, Hassan, Leeson, Dalton, Hackworth(c), Brunskill, Beadle(Seaton 61), L Gildea. Subs not used: A Gildea, Charlton, Burgess, Woodhead

Report - by Andrew Snaith - Despite conceding early, the Blues roared back with three goals in six minutes early in the second half, to reach the next qualifying round of the FA Trophy at the Turnbull Ground on Saturday.

After an outstanding performance at Ashton on Monday, manager Harry Dunn kept faith with the same eleven, as injured trio Alex Gildea, Karl Charlton and Kevin Burgess all returned to the subs bench. Visitors Warrington, from the Unibond Division One North, a level below Whitby, were without leading goalscorer Chris Gaghan.

However despite the ex-Barrow marksman's injury, the Cheshire side soon had the ball in the net inside eight minutes. Highly-rated Jimmy McCarthy has been tracked by the Blues' Unibond Premier rivals Nantwich after he helped dumped them out of the FA Cup. And it seemed he might be about to boot Whitby from the Trophy, after a fine solo run from the young striker ended with an emphatic first-time angled drive, that nestled inside the far post, giving Blues' goalkeeper Dave Campbell no chance.

Three minutes later, and the Seasiders still hadn't woken up, Warrington remained rampant as McCarthy finished instinctively on the volley, only for the offside flag to deny him and the visitors a second. One more time, the ex-Stoke City junior netted, and one more time the near-side linesman had his flag raised, much to the frustration of the noisy travelling support.

But the clear turning point was to come in the 21st minute. The Blues had their first run of note when some neat one touch play saw Leon Scott release Liam Gildea who was caught with a mistimed slide from Wire' skipper Mick Tomlinson just inside the penalty area. Referee Mr Beswick had no hesitation in flashing a red card at the visitors' captain, and Tony Hackworth was equally clinical in sidefooting home from twelve yards.

Once level, and with the away side one man down, the Blues found their feet and kept the momentum for the rest of the game. Fine work from Ashley Lyth down the right-flank played in Jimmy Beadle who forced visiting keeper Richie Mottram into a good low parry when one on one.

Two minutes later, and a 25-yard Beadle drive was smothered low down by Mottram. The former Ashton gloveman then did even better diving in bravely at Danny Brunskill's feet, as the big forward bore down on goal, the keeper sustaining an accidental head injury for his trouble.

Whitby didn't have long to wait before the pressure told. Brunskill was again involved, muscling his way into the area before squaring for Ged Dalton, who chipped over to the far post and local lad Lyth to head home his first ever Whitby goal.

Warrington's Joe McClennan threatened early in the second half with a pacey run, but the tricky youngster from Bristol City could only screw a dangerous low angled drive across the face of goal and wide of Campbell's right-hand post.

The purple patch that killed off the men from Rugby League country lasted six minutes and began when a driven right-wing cross from Dalton fell to Beadle who steered low past Mottram from close range. Five minutes later, it was 4-1 when Beadle had time to spare, recieving a short Lyth corner on the left edge of the area, before slamming a well-struck drive across Mottram and into the net.

It was mere seconds before the rout was completed. Brunskill, looking much more confident than in earlier weeks, battered his way through two defenders and calmly stroked the ball first-time past the onrushing Mottram for Whitby's fifth.

The Blues' supporters got their first look at new signing Jon Seaton for the last half hour- the right-sided midfielder from Wolviston, replaced the impressive Beadle- the former York City midfielder may well have fancied a hat-trick to cap a fine display.

From now on, it was just a question of how many for the Blues. Both Gildea and Brunskill missed guilt-edged chances as the Whitby strikers queued up to make the scoresheet. Dalton was possibly the worst culprit, kicking thin air on the turn and blazing high over the bar after fine runs into the beleagured visitors' area.

The passionate away supporters, decked in their club's usual colour of yellow, and minus their confiscated alcohol, finally had something else to cheer four minutes from time. The outstanding McCarthy may have been on the losing side, but he produced a winning finish from over 20 yards to lob Campbell on the keeper's 399th appearance. A mere consolation goal to the point where the young number ten forgot to follow up and grab the ball from the net, but many in the crowd will feel it won't be the last time they'll hear the blonde-haired striker's name.

However, Saturday was a day for Whitby Town, who made their one-division and one-man advantage count in style and earned £2,300 as well as progression to the next round on Halloween.

Harry Dunn, speaking after the game, typically refused to get carried away after the win, adding: "We started off slowly, and to be honest, we could've been two goals down. I thought the two strikers would've been a match for us with 11 men. Their lads deserve a lot of credit for keeping going even at 5-1 down, but I think you take advantage of any good fortune you get and we had that with the penalty. I think we were sloppy at times but that can happen in football when you have so many chances. I think they(Warrington) ran out of steam and we were worthy winners in the end."

The Blues boss also stated his preference for a home tie in Monday's second qualifying round draw.