UniBond Premier

16th February 2008

Attendance - 247

Team - Campbell, Lyth, Janes, Appleby, Forster, Tobin, Rhodes (Claisse 45), Brumwell (Newby 58), Ormerod, Brunskill (Gildea 45), Charlton

Report - by Andrew Snaith - WHITBY Town are now just one point above the Unibond Premier Division drop zone after bottom club Lincoln United inflicted Town's fourth successive defeat at the Turnbull on Saturday. It was the away side's first win in 17 games in a horrendous run going back to October. The Blues gave home debuts to ex-Blyth skipper Richard Forster and on-loan 19-year-old winger Alex Rhodes from York City. On a tricky, hard surface, after recent sub-zero temperatures, Whitby threatened first on six minutes when a ball into the six-yard box was put wide by Karl Charlton. After a series of corners at the other end, striker Leon Wainman, who appeared for Eastwood at the Turnbull three weeks earlier and North Ferriby on Boxing Day, forced Dave Campbell to save low down at his near post. Play was soon back down the Upgang Lane end, as Whitby's leading scorer Danny Brunskill curled an optimistic effort wide from a difficult angle, after ex-Scarborough keeper Leigh Walker had flapped at two previous crosses. Lincoln caught Town napping on the break, as Andy Potter was allowed to sprint clear on goal before Campbell raced out to grab the ball at the midfielder's feet. Whitby's Anthony Ormerod fired a dangerous right-wing ball straight across the United six-yard box, but just out of the reach of the nearby Charlton and Brunskill. The visitors, four points adrift at the foot of the table going into the contest, then stunned the hosts with a 29th minute opening goal. The lively Matt Glass tangled with Blues' full-back Alex Janes down the left, and as Glass cut into the six-yard box, he was pulled down by the former Darlington defender. As Janes held his head in his hands, on-loan Alfreton forward Glass prepared to take the resulting penalty, sending Campbell the wrong way and slotting calmly into the bottom-right corner. And just four minutes later, Potter doubled the visitors' advantage. He was allowed to stroll to the edge of the Whitby area as tackles failed to come, before curling a perfectly-struck effort into the top-right corner. The home side looked short on ideas with crosses and free-kicks their only route to goal. On 35 minutes, Rhodes was cynically tripped near the right-edge of the Lincoln box 15 yards out, but the set piece was belted wastefully wide by Charlton. The same player came close to making amends, as he nodded wide at the far post from Ormerod's cross. Moments later, Town came close to finding the net when Matty Appleby's free-kick was parried straight in front of him by Walker, but visiting defenders reacted quickest to hack clear. Half-time saw Rhodes, who, along with a few team mates, had struggled to make any impression, make way for Tom Claisse. And 23-goal Brunskill, who had suffered a rib injury at Fleetwood a week ago, was replaced by Liam Gildea. The second half saw the visitors tear out of the blocks and just two minutes after the restart, Potter turned superbly but fired a low drive from the edge of the box straight at Campbell. Four minutes later, Wainman sailed past two Whitby defenders and fired just over from 16 yards. However, Whitby finally had the ball in the net on 53 minutes as Charlton chipped Walker expertly, only for play to be brought back after Gildea fouled in the build-up. Another Lincoln break saw Gio Carchedi control the ball instinctively and fire straight across goal but wide of Campbell's far post from an acute angle. But the Whites were not to be denied and effectively wrapped the game up before the hour when the ball rebounded invitingly to Danny Brooks who hammered a scorching half-volley past the helpless Campbell from 25 yards. Brumwell made way for youngster Dan Newby – and Town should've pulled one back when Janes' superb early left-wing cross fell kindly for Gildea six yards out, but a defender blocked, and the rebound was nodded tamely back to Walker by Appleby. Embarassingly for the Blues, United could have rubbed it in, with a hat-trick of chances missed in as many minutes. First, Brooks beat his man with ease before sliding a low strike inches wide, then Glass forced a fine fingertip Campbell save with a shot on the turn. And same player headed over at the far post from the resulting co rner. Cumbersome Whitby lacked spark, especially in the midfield, with players from all over the park resorting to aimless punts down the centre of the pitch in the vain hope of winning a set piece. With six minutes left, another Appleby free-kick from just outside the Lincoln area was touched over by Walker and the Blues' afternoon was summed up late on by Ormerod. As Whitby won a second corner in quick succession, the ball landed at the feet of the ex-Middlesbrough man, who hammered wide with half an empty net infront of him from point-blank range.