Friendly

24th July 2006

Attendance -

Team - Ben Escritt, Tom Reid, Phil Brumwell, Aron Wilford, Danny Farthing, Simon Hughes, Tom Claisse, Matty Appleby, Karl Richards, Danny Brunskill, Ant Ormerod. Subs: Jack Norton(GK), Gavin Parkin, Tom Raw, Mark Swales.

Report - from BarneyC53 on the forum ! -
I would agree with Craigo's Dads assesment of the referee from Pickering in that he most certainly favoured the League side throughout. Especially the award of the indirect free kick that led to Hartlepool goal 15 mins from time, and turning down of a Whitby penalty in the first half.

Whitby were no more physical than their opponents but only one team appeared to be getting the decisions.

I did not recognise too many off the Whitby players but was impressed by their progress since first seeing them in April. The players all looked leaner and fitter and tried to play passing football and there was notably less big punts up the park. Hartlepool did play the better football especially for a twenty minute period in the first half but never really threatened except for a low shot which your young substitute keeper brilliantly turned round the post. He (don't know his name) had little chance with their headed goal, but the indirect free kick decision against him which led to the goal, was ludicrous.

Whitby did make the better chances, notably a superb volley from young Hughes brilliantly saved by Davison and a couple of Bruno grounders just missing narrowly in the first half, plus the penalty claim.

In the second half both the young strikers who came on for Ant and Bruno were impressive in pace and skill and caused as much problem as the former without success they deserved. Couple of near misses and last minute clearance off the line. Not to mention another ludicrous refereeing decision when Davison spilled the ball in the area.

All in all an impressive Whitby performance which deserved better than defeat. Of who I know, Ant, Bruno and Karl looked good going forward although Richards does look to be carrying a leg injury. The defence looked solid even without Wilkinson with Phil and Aaron my choice last night (Doesn't Phil look a lot leaner). Young Hughes looks really useful and dangerous down the right, but needs to get back and help out more. Both Appleby and young Claisse were also impressive in centre midfield although like Claisse, Appleby looks like he will need time to adjust to this level, but without bias it looked as if the tean played through midfield last night. All substitutes fitted in well last night also and the team didn't look like it lost any shape, which was also very impressive.

Mr. Nogan obviously knows his job inside out.