Unibond Premier Division

11th February 2004

Attendance - 202

Team - Campbell, Obern (sent off 78), Williams, Reed, Hall, Gildea, Ormerod (sub Robinson 85), Craddock, Nicholson, Appleby, McTiernan (sub Dixon 78). Sub not used: Veart

Report - from www.whitbytoday.co.uk - Whitby Town hauled their precariously-poised season back on track with an important 2-1 victory over bottom club Wakefield and Emley at the Turnbull Ground on Wednesday night.
Whitby themselves were just four places from the bottom and urgently in need of points after Saturday's home disappointment when they lost badly 5-0 to ex-Conference outfit Southport.
On Wednesday, in front of a 200 crowd on a fine night, Whitby did the early running and the game went dramatically in their favour five minutes before the break when the visitors went behind to a penalty goal by on-loan Andrew Appleby and went down to 10 men when keeper Paul Cuss was red-carded.
Whitby looked to be cruising thanks to Appleby's second goal 12 minutes into the second half but Wakefield showed more fight as the game progressed, encouraged by Whitby defender Mark Obern being sent off for a bad challenge and Whitby keeper David Campbell made some good stops before Wakefield scored their injury-time consolation goal.
Whitby kicked off with Scott Nicholson leading the forward line and wingman David McTiernan on the left, with Ben Dixon, Graham Robinson and Craig Veart on the bench.
The Blues, anxious to make amends for Saturday, were first to threaten but there was early concern as Campbell failed to hold on to a cross and Tony Hall cleared for the first corner to the visitors.
Whitby were soon back on attack as Nicholson tried a one-two with Appleby but just missed out on the return ball at the far post.
Appleby then had two chances, with both a header from McTiernan's cross and a shot from Ormerod's pass going wide of the mark.
A better chance fell to Nicholson from Ormerod's through ball but the keeper was out quickly to block. The busy Cuss then saved at the second attempt from McTiernan and Ormerod's snap shot from outside the area drifted wide.
On 24 minutes, Wakefield gained a free-kick from which Campbell cleared, but lost their injured number seven Scott Clarke who was replaced by Robert Tonks.
Tonks was quick to impress with a cross from the left and Hall made two firm clearances for the Blues. On 30 minutes, Appleby's cross sailed just too high for Nicholson who was clear in front of goal. Wakefield threatened from a corner after a free-kick but the cross was collected cleanly by Campbell. Whitby's lack of success in front of goal was beginning to frustrate although it took a fine stop from Cuss to deny McTiernan.
The Blues finally took the lead after 40 minutes when an Appleby cross from the left put McTiernan through on goal only to be brought down by Cuss. The referee had no hesitation with the red card and Appleby gave replacement keeper Steve Nicholson no chance with his penalty kick.
Whitby applied early pressure inthe second half but at the other end Campbell did good work to plam away from Callum Selby's free kick.
But the Blues kept going forward and were rewarded with their second goal 12 minutes into the half thanks to a long through ball from Alex Gildea from which Appleby outpaced the defenders and hit a firm shot past the unfortunate Nicholson.
As Whitby tried to seal the victory Hall headed wide from an opening created by McTiernan and Nicholson saved well from Ormerod at the foot of a post.
With the referee failing to stamp down on some of Wakefield questionable challenges Whitby then produced a bad one and Whitby were down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes when Mark Obern was sent off.
Whitby brought on defender Ben Dixon to fill the gap, substituting for McTiernan. In a last effort by Wakefield Whitby held firm and a good run by Appleby past two defenders nearly produced a hat-trick goal.
And the surprise was too much for Ormerod when a goal kick fell invitingly at his feet and Whitby's leading scorer missed the target. Graham Robinson replaced Ormerod for the last five minutes.
In the final minutes Campbell made a fine save from Tonks and was then hurt in colliding with a post as he saved from a close-range header.
In the three minutes of extra time Wakefield scored just before the final whistle with Campbell getting a hand to Steve Kenworthy shot but unable to prevent it crossing the line.