8th October 2003

Attendance - 276

Team - Clementson, Reed (sub Robinson 46m), O'Bern, Hall, Linighan, Dixon, Swales, Campbell, Ormerod, Browne (sub McTiernan 77m), Nicholson (sub Johnson 46m)

Report - By Bri Murfield - Two first half goals from Sherwood & Naylor saw Harrogate complete a league double over a Whitby side that never got to grips with their opponents. Manager Dunn decided to rest Ure, Williams, Burt & Veart ahead of the forthcoming FA Cup tie at Warrington on Saturday but the price was losing all three points. Whitby gave a debut to Gary Browne who had previously spent three seasons with Manchester City but although he showed a few flashes of inspiration in the second half it still wasn't enough to get the Blues back into a game which had all but been lost in the first 45 minutes.
The opening half was only memorable for the Blues in the lack of a shot on goal, in fact the first attempt of note didn't manifest itself until the 26th minute when Harrogate's Ben Sherwood, a 7th minute substitution for former Blue Richard Dunning, saw his effort fly yards wide of the target.
This should have been a warning to Whitby as two minutes later the same player struck the ball through a crowded penalty area & past the unsighted Clemantson for the opening goal. Three minutes later they doubled their lead after Clemantson spilled a wickedly swerving free kick by Sherwood. Glenn Naylor reacted first to stab the ball into the back of the Whitby goal.
Whitby came out for the second half in determined mood with Robinson & Johnson replacing Reed & Nicholson. Mark Swales showed they meant business a minute into the second period when his 20 yard drive skidded wide of the mark & two minutes later Campbell forced Harrogate keeper Sutcliffe to make a fine save at the foot of his post. Mark Swales again went close with a dipping volley just before the hour but that was the last scare for Sutcliffe until added time when Robinson just missed the goal with a glancing header.
Overall a very disappointing performance from the Blues & it can only hope the gamble of resting players pays off on Saturday in the FA Cup.