UniBond Premier Division

11th December 2004

Attendance - 355

Team - D Campbell, Atkinson(Williams 90), Veart, Farthing, Linighan, Nicholson, McTiernan, Scaife, Johnson(Robinson 45), Pounder, Bishop. Sub not used: L Gildea.

Report - by Andrew Snaith - Whitby Supporters lost 10-6 to their Derbyshire counterparts before this clash, and the second-placed Blues were indebted to goalkeeper Dave Campbell for avoiding a similar scoreline and somehow preserving their 15-match unbeaten run at Matlock on Saturday.

The Seasiders were without flu-ridden forward Anth Ormerod for the 127-mile trip young winger Dave McTiernan stepped in for a first start in two months, otherwise Whitby were unchanged.

In-form Matlock coming off four straight wins and with key players fit-again presented a real threat right from the start. Whitby struggled to find their feet on an uneven surface at Matlock's Causeway Lane, with the hosts making all the early running.

However, it was the Yorkshiremen who broke the deadlock on 14 minutres somewhat against the run of play. Steve Johnson linked up well with Bishop on the left and drilled a dangerous low ball across the six yard box- Scott Nicholson's effort was parried as far as David Pounder who slid home from close range for his second in as many matches.

But it was just six minutes before the home side levelled matters albeit in controversial fashion. The pacey Paul Riley was upended by Farthing on the edge of the Whitby box, however referee Mr Benton from Sheffield ruled the offence was inside the area, much to the anger of the travelling contingent.

Ian Clarke stepped up to drive the penalty emphatically into the top left corner, giving Campbell no chance and the scores were level.

The Gladiators then laid seige to Whitby's goal, with Campbell in magnificent form. Simon Barraclough, Riley and Kris Bowler all had efforts brilliantly turned away. Two superb saves from one-on-ones with Riley and an incredible tip over from Bowler's 20-yard piledriver were the highlights as Whitby's number one kept his side in the game.

On 29 minutes, Campbell again saved well low down from the lightning quick Riley, who broke clear down the left again and again.

The vocal home support were left scratching their heads as the half-time whistle saw the sides go in level, the most one-sided demolition of the season by far, with the Blues backline ripped to shreds again and again, and only Campbell was preventing a massacre.

Logan replaced Johnson with Graham Robinson for the second half and the visitors came into the game much more after the break. However, it was the hosts who threatened early on, with Clarke hammering an 18 yard-drive that struck Linighan and was frantically cleared.

Steve Taylor and Farthing clashed on the hour mark, with the Whitby man appearing to kick out after a sliding challenge against the corner flag in the Whitby half. However the beleagured referee, repeatedly under fire from the Derbyshire side's mouthy management duo, refused to book either player.

Moments later, Robinson's persistance down the right saw the South African tee up McTiernan who sliced wide from the edge of the box.

The undulating surface saw both sides cancel each other out for the lion's share of the half, with the banter between-fans as entertaining as the on-field action.

In a frantic final ten minutes, Campbell saved well again, tipping over Bowler's ferocious 30 yard effort. Then with a minute later, Taylor's angled drive was clutched low down by the imperious Blues stopper.

Dave Logan brought on another experienced campaigner with Graham Williams replacing Paul Atkinson at right-back. And Williams almost became a suprise match-winning in injury time when his powerful 20 yard drive was charged down inside the Matlock box.

All-in-all, this was a point gained by all accounts for the Seasiders. As testament to the domination of the visitors, despite languishing in 13th place and Whitby sitting second, the locals were devastated not to have won by a clear margin. Their quality attacking play deserved greater reward, but it's a sign of Whitby's spirit that they refused to buckle under constant pressure, though their frequently criticised keeper deserves a huge pat on the back for an immense performance, it may prove vital come April.