Whitby game - match report

Report by Ryan Gray

In association with:
ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA
Chartered Management Accountant

Whitby 0 - 2 Blyth Spartans

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Turnbull Ground, Whitby
Wednesday 28th October, 2015

A second half brace from in form Dan Maguire ensured Spartans left Whitby at the top of the league on Wednesday evening.

Manager Tom Wade named an unchanged side from the one that comprehensively beat Buxton the weekend before and the winning formula came good once again.

It took slightly longer for Blyth to get going at the Turnbull Ground, as the first half sailed by almost devoid of any incidents worthy of note, save for a couple of chances for Whitby forward Michael Roberts.
The first real opportunity fell to the Whitby striker midway through the opening 45 when he was put through one-on-one with Fabian Otte. However, a lack of composure sent his shot high and wide of the German 'keeper's net.

Then just before the break Spartans were forced into a change. Right back Andrew Cartwright left the field clutching his hamstring with only five minutes of the half remaining and Alex Nicholson came on in his place.

Blyth took the game to their hosts following the break. Nicholson's movement up and down the right hand side caused problems for Whitby captain Mark Robinson, and it was movement from the substitue which created the first goal of the night.

Spartan pressure had been building gradually on the Whitby back four and then, just before the hour mark, Nicholson made his way into the Seasiders' penalty area where he received a neat threaded pass from Michael Richardson before squaring it to Dan Maguire, who could not miss the gaping goal just six yards in front of him.

Maguire nearly doubled his and Spartans' tally from the same spot just moments later. A swift counter-attack found Arran Wearmouth on the right hand side, but his pass to the feet of Maguire was just too strong and the striker failed to adjust in time to divert the ball into the net.

Blyth did not have to wait long to get their second though. With just fifteen minutes left on the clock, a sloppy touch from Whitby right back Josh Nearney invited Robbie Dale in to pick up the loose ball with plenty of space to move in to. The Spartan skipper charged into the box and had only the keeper to beat, but found the bottom of the post with his shot. Fortunately, Maguire was on hand in the penalty area to pounce upon the loose ball and put it into an empty net for the second time in the game.

Whitby piled some late pressure on the Blyth back line, but failed to produce anything which required any substantial work from Otte, leaving Spartans top of the league and more than happy with their night's work.

TEAMS:
Whitby Town: Bland; Nearney, Bullock, Weledji, Robinson; Gardner (Mason), Gell, McTiernan, Brobble; Waters (Shepherd), Roberts (Gardner)
Unused Subs: Callum Martin, Thibault Charmey

Blyth Spartans: Otte; Cartwright (Nicholson), Parker, Morse, Watson; Wade, Mullen, Richardson (Reid); Wearmouth, Dale, Maguire
Unused Subs: Ashley Davis, Paul Robinson, Ryan Hutchinson
Referee: Darren Whatling

Attendance: 367