UniBond Premier Division

22nd September 2007

Attendance - 385

Team - Debbage, Burton, Janes, Appleby, Lyth, Adams, Ormerod, A Raw(Drinkall 45), Hackworth, Brunskill, Charlton(Andrews 69). Sub not used: Nogan.

Report - BY ANDREW SNAITH - Goals from Karl Charlton and James Drinkall at either end of the match were not enough to prevent a comfortable 3-2 defeat for Whitby on Saturday in Merseyside.

The Blues were without teenage centre-half Dave Hartas due to a knee injury, so skipper Matty Appleby, normally suited to midfield, dropped in to cover at the back- with Tom Adams returning from holiday for a first start in five matches.

The Arriva Stadium, swelled by groups of local schoolchildren who were given free passes, was almost rocking inside eight minutes when the home side should've led. Lee Parle burst clear with Charlton putting in an accurate delaying slide tackle and Whitby keeper James Debbage staying big to narrow the angle and block with his chest for a corner.

The resulting set piece saw Marine captain James Connolly's goalbound header chested off the line by Andy Raw and the Seasiders just about managed to scramble the loose ball clear. It soon came back though and when the Mariners won another corner, the ball came out to Steve Hussey whose fine turn and shot was bravely deflected wide by Appleby.

After that series of let offs, Town promptly raced to the other end and within four minutes, opened the scoring themselves. Former Notts County striker Tony Hackworth muscled his way into the penalty area before driving a low ball across the six yard box for Charlton to steal in at the far post for a simple tap in.

Another four minutes passed before Marine should've found the net through last season's 27-goal top scorer Peter Cumiskey. The towering marksman, who caused all sorts of problems for the Blues in the corresponding game last time around, this time fluffed his lines and fired just wide, with Debbage perhaps getting a touch.

If Cumiskey was disappointed with himself then strike partner Nicky Young would've been downright furious, when on 24 minutes, more good work from Cumiskey set up the former Vauxhall striker who fired wastefully over the bar from close range.

In the end it was the returning Ian Latham who showed the way to goal for the hosts. The lively winger completed a fine left wing solo run with a devastating strike across the helpless Debbage and into the top-right corner of the net from the left edge of the Whitby box.

Town dashed to the other end, where Hackworth's drive on the turn rolled inches past keeper Andy Banks' right-hand post. Just before the break, Adams sent a powerful but speculative effort well wide of the target from 25 yards.

Half-time saw the introduction of James Drinkall, at the expense of Raw in the Whitby midfield. And the Blues were soon busy when two minutes after the restart, Cumiskey beat Ash Lyth with ease down the left but crossed straight to Adams. However the ex-Selby man miscontrolled and allowed Young to steal in and fire home a low angled drive from just inside the box.

More defensive indecision from Town led to the concession of a killer third. Debbage found himself in no mans land as he chased Cumiskey to a loose ball on the left side of his box some 12 yards out, the prolific 32-year-old was hauled down by the young Whitby keeper, but soon got back up to slot home the subsequent penalty.

Whitby thought they'd levelled within four minutes when Adams' drilled effort from the edge of the box was deflected millimetres wide. Drinkall then poked a fierce curling effort from similiar range out of nothing that was charged down by a gutsy home defender.

Blues boss Lee Nogan threw on lively forward Sonny Andrews, in place of Charlton, as Whitby went with three up front for the final 20 minutes.

However, the Blues were looking far from dangerous, with the visitors unable to enjoy any sustained possession as passes went astray and Marine players frequently got in first whenever the ball ran loose. This lack of ideas going forward left Whitby's front men looking decidedly isolated with the defence having a torrid time.

A cross from the right saw a spectacular diving header send the ball narrowly wide from close range as the wasteful hosts threatened to find the net for a fourth time. As it was, despite being outplayed for almost the entire second half, Whitby could've got back in the game four minutes from time when Ormerod rose well at the far post but headed into the side netting, with Town fans up in mid-celebration.

The last minute saw Brunskill's effort deflected inches wide, but with the last kick of the game, territorial pressure finally told when deep into injury time, Drinkall finished well on the turn for what turned out to be a consolation goal.