3rd September 2003

Attendance - 255

Team - Riches, Nicholson, Betts, Reed, Dixon, M Swales, P Campbell, Robinson, Ormerod, Burt(Ure 69), Veart(Obern 75). Sub not used: McTiernan.

Report by Andrew Snaith - Jamie Burt was back in a Whitby shirt on Wednesday night but it was Craig Veart’s penalty that gave the Blues all three points in a tight encounter at the Turnbull Ground. There was no place for on-loan keeper Martin Kearney as former Durham stopper Mark Riches returned to take the number one jersey, defender Alex Gildea picked up a broken ankle at Southport and joined Graeme Williams, Tony Hall and Brian Linighan on the sidelines. Mark Swales and new striker Anthony Ormerod made their first starts of the season with Burt partnering Ormerod after his controversial recent move from Scarborough.
The match kicked off 15 minutes late, at 8pm after the Gainsborough coach was stuck in traffic. It seemed like it was Whitby who’d had the long coach journey however as the visitors had most of the play in the opening stages. Hirst wasted a free-kick in a dangerous position on 3 minutes, blasting over from just outside the Whitby box. On 7 minutes, Staton’s weak header from close range was easily collected by Riches.
At the other end, Whitby’s new strike pairing were working well together but found themselves setting up chances for other players such was the Blues lack of creative options. Skipper Graham Robinson nearly made something from nothing on 24 minutes when he waltzed past two defenders but his low 20 yard shot went wide of Holmshaw’s left hand post.
However, the visitors were looking even less threatening up front as Adam had all the time in the world to set up a half volley at the far post but his tame shot was directed straight into the ground and bounced comfortably into the arms of Riches.
Whitby had a good five minute spell just before the break when Veart’s clever quick free-kick played in Burt whose shot was well blocked with his legs by Holmshaw. And the same two players combined again when Burt headed Veart’s deep cross past the near post.
The Seasiders started right from there they left off, a minute into the second half. A neat move saw Burt curl narrowly over from just inside the box, but moments later the Blues had the lead. Another neat passing move saw Mark Swales’ cross laid by Burt off for Paul Campbell to drive home from close range.
Whitby should have had a second on 56 minutes when Ormerod was left unmarked one on one with Holmshaw, but the keeper blocked the former Middlesbrough man’s attempt chip from 25 yards.
As so often happens in football, Whitby were made to rue that missed chance as Burt’s loss of possession saw Gareth Grant released down the right and stride past Betts and evade Riches’ desperate dive to slot into the empty net despite Reed’s attempt goal-line clearence.
The Blues were not to be deterred however and were straight back onto the attack a minute later, and as Robinson rose for Veart’s cross he was pushed in the back according to referee Mr Tiffin and Whitby had a slightly fortunate penalty. Veart stepped up and once again converted, sending the ball into the bottom right of the corner for his seventh penalty success- none missed as yet since taking the job last season.
Burt left the field to warm applause on 69 minutes, with Lee Ure his replacement. Hirst then sent a fizzing 25 yard effort just past Riches left hand post before the Blues had another excellent chance to increase their lead a minute later. Ormerod showed his pace and skill, flying past Purkiss on the left and beating Timmons as he skipped along the byline before cutting back for Ure to set up Swales whose goalbound drive was blocked on the line by Reddington and hacked clear.
Carl Smith’s close range flick header caused a few hearts to flutter among the Blues faithful as it bounced on top of the Whitby crossbar, bouncing off a back stantion and back into play, before a goal kick was given. Defender Mark Obern made his league debut on 75 minutes as he swapped with Veart.
The remaining moments saw Mr Tiffin “spoil a crap game” as one fan shouted, booking Betts and Ure for dissent after a couple of farsical decisions from the bungling official. The game petered out as the Blues understandably played for time and were eventually able to celebrate a victory that moves them up to 18th after being second from bottom in 21st place.
If the Seasiders can play more low balls into the box and provide some better service for their strikers then they will comfortably beat much better sides than this weak Gainsborough outfit.