Team - Campbell D, Ingram(c), Lambert, Hassan, Leeson, Hanson, Gildea L, Scott, Robinson, Clarke, Gildea A. Subs (not used): Escritt, Charlton, Campbell A.
Report - by Andrew Snaith - After back to back last day relegation dogfights, Whitby supporters will just be relieved to find mid-table safety after another defeat rounded off a mixed season at the weekend.
Injuries and suspensions have taken their toll recently on Harry Dunn's men with just one win in nine, and five successive losses to bring the curtain down on the 2009/10 Unibond Premier Division season. However, the trip to South Yorkshire saw brothers Alex and Liam Gildea available again for the first time in six games, but five other regulars remained absent. Outfield substitutes Andy Campbell and Karl Charlton were there only to make up the numbers with their respective calf and foot injuries still not fully healed.
With 78 goals to their name, Steels began the day as the league's third-highest scorers and soon threatened when Richard Tracey's ferocious shot on the turn was pushed wide at full stretch by keeper Dave Campbell. The hosts again came close when former Town midfielder Tom Claisse drilled goalwards from the edge of the box, only for Campbell to parry and Ibby Hassan to complete the clearance.
Meanwhile at the other end, Liam Gildea perhaps should've done better after Steels' keeper Dave Ratcliffe's throw went straight to the bustling forward who could only slice wide from 18 yards as the gloveman frantically backpedalled. 35-year-old forward Graham Robinson a veteran of the 1997 FA Vase triumph alongside keeper Campbell then sent a tame attempted lob over the again-out-of-position Ratcliffe, short and wide of goal.
Campbell was called into action once more when Alvin Riley combined well with Andy Ring, before bringing another tip round the post from Whitby's long-serving goalkeeper. With over 800 appearances for Town between them, it was Robinson who shared the limelight with Campbell moments later, the South-African's swerving shot from the edge of the box forced a suprised Ratcliffe to tip onto the crossbar at full-stretch.
Regardless, the home team should have led themselves six minutes before half-time. Ring showed no evidence of his 20 goals netted this season after finding himself one on one with Campbell. Expecting to be flagged offside, the experienced frontman frozen before scooping the ball straight into the delighted keeper's gloves from close range.
Whitby then enjoyed their best spell as Leon Scott looked to be taking on the entire home side, beating three men despite being on the ground at one point, before finally being dispossessed. Liam Gildea then drove a low shot wide, and Scott's deft chip over Ratcliffe was cleared off the line- the Stocksbridge keeper eventually grabbed the loose ball just ahead of the in-coming Robinson.
Town began the second half as they ended the first as Robinson headed down for Alex Gildea's fearsome drive from just inside the box to go fizzing past Ratcliffe but also his right hand-post via a Stocksbridge boot. With their top four strikers sidelined, converting chances would always be tough for the visitors, Alex Gildea's attempted lob dropped onto the back of the netting, but with those opportunities missed, it was clear the hosts would eventually break through at the other end.
Ring fired another warning shot as he looked to again be in one on one with the Whitby keeper, only for the impressive Hassan to get back and dispossess him. The yellow tide's pressure finally told 14 minutes from time when full-back Darren Schofield directed a pin-point 12-yard header from a corner past Campbell and into the top-right corner of the net. The Seasiders barely had time to regroup before the lead was doubled, three minutes later. Substitute Craig Hall was clearly being held by Shaun Clarke but the referee played an excellent advantage, allowing Hall to feed Ring who this time made no mistake in his battle with Campbell, hooking into the same top-right corner.
Clarke curled just over the top from distance, before Alex Gildea twice fired wide in as many minutes. Whitby's shooting ended up being quantity over quality, but Town's hard-working players recieved a deserved ovation for their efforts this term, particularly in a frenetic run of games towards the end of the weather-hit season. Eyes now turn to possible summer signings and a renewed campaign buoyed by a fit-again team playing under a current manager with perhaps the finest record in North East semi-pro football.
