Author: Liam Ryder

Whitby Town’s FA Cup journey ends after conceding five in second half

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town’s Emirates FA Cup journey came to a disappointing end as Ashton United produced a devastating second-half turnaround to claim a 5-2 victory at the Towbar Express Stadium.

The Seasiders looked firmly in control at the interval after an impressive opening 45 minutes that saw them establish a two-goal advantage, but a remarkable response from the visitors after the break turned the tie on its head.

Whitby made a bright start and were rewarded with the opening goal inside seven minutes. After sustained pressure inside the Ashton penalty area, the hosts kept the ball alive and eventually worked it into the path of Ben Turner, who showed great composure to slot home and give Lee Bullock’s side an early lead.

The visitors attempted to respond as Jack Norton was called into action to preserve Whitby’s advantage, producing an excellent save to deny Harry Flowers’ first-time effort. Alex Byrne then almost equalised when his dangerous delivery struck the crossbar.

At the other end, Whitby continued to threat and added a second midway through the first half. Stuart Rose was on hand to finish by heading home an exquisite Joey Phuthi cross and send the Seasiders into a commanding position, capping off an encouraging spell of football from the hosts.

Captain Stuart Rose celebrates after putting Whitby 2-0 up. Picture: Owen Cox

Justin Johnson came close to halving the lead further when he found space inside the area, only to head wide, meaning Whitby went into the break with a 2-0 advantage.

Ashton emerged for the second half determined to force their way back into the contest. Although Kurt Willoughby missed a good opportunity shortly after the restart, the warning signs were beginning to appear for the Seasiders.

The turning point arrived just after the hour mark. James Hardy reduced the deficit on 61 minutes before striking again only two minutes later to level matters at 2-2. A contest that had looked comfortable for Whitby was suddenly transformed.

The Seasiders attempted to steady themselves, introducing fresh legs from the bench, while Willoughby squandered another chance when he headed wide from close range. Tempers briefly flared with Leon Gibson-Booth and Hardy both shown yellow cards following an off-the-ball incident.

Whitby made a good start in the FA Cup clash with Ashton United. Picture: Owen Cox

However, Ashton’s momentum continued and Hardy completed a devastating hat-trick on 75 minutes to complete the comeback and hand the visitors the lead for the first time.

Whitby pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Ashton remained clinical whilst capitalising on slack Town defending. Hardy struck again four minutes later to make it 4-2 and leave the Seasiders with a mountain to climb.

Whitby were unable to find a route back into the tie and, deep into stoppage time, Darius Osei added a fifth goal to complete the scoring and seal Ashton United’s progression to Second Round Qualifying.

For long periods of the first half, Whitby looked capable of advancing comfortably, but Ashton’s ruthless second-half display proved decisive. The visitors scored five unanswered goals after the break to overturn a two-goal deficit and knock the Seasiders out of the Emirates FA Cup.

Whitby must now quickly regroup and turn their attention back to league matters when they travel to Hyde United next Saturday.

Changes coming says Bullock after Whitby concede four and player sent off

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town’s afternoon was defined by defensive struggles and a first-half red card as ten-player Blues were beaten 4-1 by Alfreton Town at the Towbar Express Stadium.

Lee Bullock’s side made a bright start and could easily have found themselves ahead inside the opening ten minutes. Alex White was first to threaten after four minutes when a loose ball broke kindly on the edge of the area, only for his effort to flash narrowly wide. Moments later, Joey Phuthi’s cut-back picked out Marley Grant, whose side-footed finish drifted just past the post.

The visitors were grateful to goalkeeper Alfie Roberts for keeping the scores level in the eighth minute, producing a smart stop with his feet to deny Callum Hickman after the forward had broken through on goal.

Alfreton weathered that early pressure and gradually began to find their rhythm. Jack Norton was called into action on 14 minutes, getting down well to push Jakub Kruszyński’s low strike around the post. Two minutes later, the deadlock was broken when Dylan Youmbi finished from close range to put the visitors ahead.

Whitby responded positively. Stan Hewitt saw an ambitious lob comfortably gathered by Roberts before forcing another save from the Alfreton goalkeeper. Hickman was unable to convert the rebound after being flagged offside.

The Blues continued to carry a threat and came close to an equaliser on 37 minutes when Hewitt’s free-kick flew onto the roof of the net. However, the game’s pivotal moment arrived six minutes later.

Action captured from the Bank Holiday Monday game with Alfreton at The Turnbull. Picture: Owen Cox

Having already been shown a yellow card earlier in the half, Hewitt was dismissed following an off-the-ball incident involving Ziggy Kozjuk. The decision left Whitby reduced to ten players and facing an uphill battle for the remainder of the contest.

Alfreton took full advantage of their numerical superiority in first-half stoppage time. Siya Lingendza struck in the third added minute to double the visitors’ lead and send the Blues into the interval trailing 2-0.

Whitby emerged for the second half determined to stay in the contest, but Alfreton extended their advantage just before the hour mark when Sam Parker found the net to make it 3-0.

Bullock looked to his bench in search of fresh energy, introducing Lucas Reed for Hickman before later bringing on Adam Gell in place of White. Despite being a player down, Whitby continued to show spirit and were rewarded with a moment of quality midway through the second period.

Phuthi, who had been one of Whitby’s brightest performers throughout and ultimately given the Player of the Match award, produced a stunning strike from distance on 70 minutes. His looping effort sailed over Roberts and into the net to give the home side a lifeline and provide a deserved reward for his enterprise.

The goal briefly lifted the atmosphere around the ground, but Alfreton quickly restored their three-goal cushion. Lingendza grabbed his second of the afternoon three minutes later to effectively end any hopes of a comeback.

Callum Hickman for Whitby Town on Monday. Picture: Owen Cox

Phuthi continued to test the visitors, sending another ambitious effort narrowly wide, while Norton preserved the scoreline late on with an excellent save to deny Lingendza a hat-trick from close range.

After the game, manager Lee Bullock said: “I apologise to the supporters, another brilliant crowd turned up expecting a decent performance after Saturday and they have had to endure that, unfortunately.

“They (Alfreton) had a five minute spell of pressure and we are not clearing our lines, miss a header, they build momentum and the goal comes.

“The first yellow card was a joke and the second gives the ref zero option. It was the correct decision but people are looking at the ref when we have let a team get the better of us.”

Going forward, Bullock said changes need to be made, otherwise the same things keeps happening.

He added: “It is a new squad, people are sick of us saying it, but we have persisted because there are moments where they have done well and looked capable but the same things are happening over and over again.

“Some conversations are going to have to be had this week. People are coming in and people will be going the other way because that is how the budget works and how the contracts work. It needs a shake-up of energy.”

Goals galore as Whitby Town win nine goal contest to send fans home happy

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town produced a remarkable attacking display to claim all three points in a 6-3 victory over Quorn on a day of goals galore across the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

The Blues eventually ran out comfortable winners on the scoreboard, however the afternoon was anything but straightforward as nine goals, momentum swings and plenty of drama combined to create a truly unforgettable encounter.

The hosts started brightly and threatened from an early corner, only for Alex White, making his third debut for the club, to be on hand to hook the ball clear from the goal line inside the opening four minutes. Quorn continued to ask questions in the early stages, with Tim Berridge firing wide before Jack Norton was called into action to make an excellent save from Jesse Friend after Whitby had been caught in possession in midfield.

Whitby gradually began to settle and looked dangerous from set-pieces, with Joey Phuthi delivering an inviting corner that flashed across the face of goal without receiving the decisive touch it deserved. Theo Robinson then tested Norton from distance, but the Whitby goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

Joey Phuti in action for Whitby Town versus Quorn. Picture: Owen Cox

The deadlock was finally broken in the 24th minute, albeit in unfortunate circumstances for the Seasiders. Friend’s strike took a significant deflection on its way past Norton to hand Quorn a 1-0 lead.

Frustration threatened to creep into Whitby’s game, with Ben Turner and Assistant Manager Denny Ingram both entering the referee’s notebook, but Lee Bullock’s side responded in exactly the right manner.

The equaliser arrived on 33 minutes and it was a goal of real quality. Phuthi won possession back in midfield before feeding Turner, who immediately slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Callum Hickman. The attacker made no mistake, emphatically finding the net to level the scores at 1-1.

Hickman completed the turnaround in fortuitous fashion as a loose ball dropped kindly inside the six-yard box, allowing the former Boro Rangers man time and space to calmly steer his finish beyond the helpless goalkeeper.

But Quorn restored parity right on the stroke of half-time as Berridge rose highest in the penalty area to power a header home from a left-wing delivery, making it 2-2.

Another game for Whitby with goals galore. Picture: Owen Cox

Whitby regained the lead after the interval through a moment of sharp pressing from Phuthi, who intercepted a loose pass deep inside the Quorn half before sliding an incisive through ball into the path of Hickman. The forward showed admirable composure, calmly guiding his finish beyond Jake Laban to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-2.

That goal shifted the momentum firmly in Whitby’s favour and laid the foundations for a sensational attacking performance. After matching Quorn during a competitive first half, the Blues found another gear after the interval and repeatedly exposed the hosts with their pace, movement and clinical finishing.

Whitby extended their advantage with a clinical counter-attacking move as Stuart Rose timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap before coolly slotting the ball beyond Laban and into the bottom corner.

The Seasiders struck again just a minute later as uncertainty at the back proved costly for Quorn. A defensive mix-up gifted possession to Hickman, who reacted quickest to the loose ball on the edge of the box and rolled a simple finish into the unguarded net to put Whitby firmly in control.

Whitby added a sixth in unfortunate circumstances for the hosts as Phuthi’s dangerous low cross flashed into the penalty area, with Luke Cox inadvertently turning the ball into his own net under pressure. As consolation, Rose would likely have been on hand to tap home without Cox’s touch.

Quorn pulled a goal back from a set-piece as Friend rose highest inside the box to meet a corner delivery and plant a firm header beyond the goalkeeper, reducing the deficit to 6-3.

Despite the chaotic nature of the game, there was impressive composure from the Seasiders whenever it mattered most. Every time Quorn threatened to build momentum, Whitby responded with another goal, ultimately pulling clear to secure a deserved victory.

Bullock’s side saw out the closing stages professionally, with Adam Gell replacing Hickman deep into stoppage time as Whitby completed an afternoon’s work that will live long in the memory of everyone who witnessed it.

An action packed game between hosts, Quorn and Whitby Town have fans plenty to talk about. Picture: Owen Cox

After the game, Hickman, who netted four said it was the “bounceback” the team needed after the last two games where they conceded five and six respectively.

Of the result, he said: “It is massive, just the reaction we needed after the last two games and gave the fans a good away day. It has relieved a lot of pressure. Terrible results put pressure on but that is the bounce-back needed.

“Conceding before half time is becoming the story of our season. We need to get a grip on doing stupid things in stupid areas but the lads reacted in the second half and we got on and scored four.”

In a game that had almost everything, Whitby Town delivered six goals, three points and a statement of their attacking quality. It may not have been a contest for the defensive purists, but for the travelling supporters it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon as the Blues returned home with a memorable 6-3 victory ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday fixture at home to Alfreton Town (3pm kick-off).

Whitby Town hit for six against Cleethorpes with three goals in last ten minutes

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town endured a miserable evening in Lincolnshire as a catalogue of defensive errors and lapses in concentration saw Cleethorpes Town cruise to a 6-0 victory.

The hosts took the lead after 11 minutes when Liam Hughes was allowed to get goal-side of James Dillon and punished the Seasiders to put Cleethorpes ahead. Whitby attempted to respond and created several openings of their own during an open first half, but their inability to defend key moments would ultimately prove costly.

Ben Turner sent a dangerous low cross through the six-yard box with Adam Gell narrowly unable to connect, while Callum Hickman chipped wide after being picked out by Joey Phuthi. Lucas Reed also went close on a number of occasions, forcing Ollie Battersby into saves from set-pieces before heading wide from another promising delivery.

Despite those opportunities, Whitby were repeatedly vulnerable whenever Cleethorpes attacked. The hosts looked dangerous from dead-ball situations throughout and capitalised just before the interval. James Blunden was allowed time and space at the back post to convert following a corner in the 44th minute, doubling the advantage.

Matters then worsened almost immediately as Whitby switched off again on the stroke of half-time, allowing Blunden to grab his second and send Cleethorpes into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

It was a damaging end to a half in which Whitby had remained in the contest for long spells, only to undo their own work through poor defending.

The visitors attempted to show a response after the restart. Tommy Dowson, making his first competitive start, headed wide from Adam Gell’s cross, while Hughes fired narrowly off target at the other end. Lee Bullock introduced Michael Hodgson from the bench for his debut, along with Jack Kilpatrick, Muhamet Gashi and Callum Wilson as Whitby searched for an optimistic way back into the game.

Reed had Whitby’s best opportunity of the second half when he headed wide from Turner’s cross, but any hopes of a recovery were undermined by continued defensive uncertainty. Joey Phuthi was forced into a goal-line clearance to deny Marley Wilson after Whitby again failed to deal with a dangerous attack.

The final stages saw the contest unravel completely. Josh Walker added a fourth goal in the 86th minute as Cleethorpes sliced through a stretched Whitby side, before further defensive indiscipline gifted the hosts an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area three minutes later. Walker made no mistake from the resulting set-piece to score Cleethorpes’ fifth.

There was still time for more punishment as Wilson added a sixth in stoppage time, capping a ruthless display from the hosts and a deeply disappointing night for the Seasiders.

While Whitby fashioned enough chances to suggest the scoreline need not have become so severe, their defending told a different story. Cleethorpes were rarely forced to work hard for their goals, taking advantage of slack marking, poor game management and a lack of concentration at crucial moments.

Conceding twice in the closing stages of the first half and three more in the final minutes underlined a defensive performance that fell well below the standards expected to compete in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Lee Bullock manager said it was a shocking result but Whitby’s performance throughout the entire game was not as harsh as the score suggests.

He said: “It is a shocking scoreline and this is going to sound mental but, barring ten minutes, we weren’t as bad as it sounds.

“There was a bit of a response from the weekend’s performance. We gave away a terrible first goal and then for 25 minutes we got a grip of the game and made some decent chances. At 42 minutes we were going in 1-0 down, then there was capitulation and you are going in 3-0 down.

“Up until 87 minutes we had kept a clean sheet for the second half, then all of a sudden, it is a 6-0 defeat. If you were at the game, you have seen 10 minutes of real action from them, but for 80 minutes it was alright.”

The Seasiders will need a significant improvement at the back if they are to bounce back quickly in their next outing at Quorn this coming Saturday.

Early goals left Whitby with mountain to climb at Ashton

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town suffered their second defeat of the season last night as Ashton United claimed a 2-0 victory at Hurst Cross.

The hosts made a dream start and were ahead inside five minutes. A long ball towards the Whitby penalty area caused problems and, after the Seasiders were unable to clear their lines, James Hardy was on hand to find the net and give Ashton an early advantage.

Ashton continued to push and almost scored again through Kurt Willoughby, whose effort from distance drifted narrowly wide. However, Ashton would strike again on 16 minutes to double their lead. Hardy was once more the man on target, finishing clinically to leave the Seasiders with a mountain to climb.

Despite the setback, Lee Bullock’s side refused to let their heads drop and created opportunities of their own. Ben Turner fired just over from range after Lucas Reed’s free-kick had been blocked, while, at the other end, Willoughby twice went close, first dragging an effort wide before later curling over the crossbar.

Whitby Town found it difficult to make a breakthrough on an organised Ashton side. Picture: Owen Cox

Whitby had to remain alert on the counter-attack. Dan Turner drilled wide after peeling away at the back post, while Harry Flowers headed over from a corner as Ashton sought a third goal before the break. Hardy also sent a chipped effort wide from a tight angle late in the half.

The second period saw Whitby enjoy spells of possession and looking for a route back into the contest. Goalkeeper Jack Norton produced an excellent intervention on 54 minutes though, charging down Justin Johnson before making the save, having already pushed a low Hardy strike behind for a corner shortly after the restart.

Whitby’s best opportunities came through Mo Gashi and Lucas Reed. Gashi tested Tommy Taylor with a goal-bound effort that the Ashton goalkeeper gathered comfortably, while Reed saw a promising strike blocked inside the penalty area. Stuart Rose also headed wide from a Marley Grant delivery as the Seasiders continued to probe.

There were further encouraging signs as Whitby pushed forward during the final quarter of the match. Gashi struck narrowly wide from distance, while Grant also managed an effort on goal, although neither could seriously trouble Taylor.

Captain Stuart Rose at last night’s Ashton United game. Picture: Owen Cox

Ashton remained dangerous on the break and Norton was called into action again, producing a fine late save to tip Alex Byrne’s low effort around the post. In stoppage time he also held Mikey O’Neill’s shot on the turn to prevent the scoreline from becoming more severe.

Ultimately, Whitby were left to rue a difficult opening 16 minutes, with Hardy’s early double proving decisive. Nevertheless, there were periods of promise throughout the evening, and the Seasiders continued to battle until the final whistle in what was a credible effort against a well-organised Ashton United side.

After the game, skipper Stuart Rose said: “It’s a disappointing loss. We weren’t at the races pretty much all game. Especially the start of the game, the first twenty minutes we’re still stuck in the changing rooms. Even after that, most of the first half we’re slack on the second balls. Our passing was off, our fight and desire. I thought it was an all-round poor performance from us.

“We got a talking to at half-time, rightly, off Denny [Ingram, assistant boss]. Said everything the boys knew already. And we came out the second half, and credit to the lads, we did perform a little bit better.

“But ultimately, the game was gone after the first twenty minutes because we put ourselves on the back foot and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. So we can’t keep doing it.”

Ingram added: “We’ve not started for the first 20 minutes and given them a two-goal lead. You can’t do that at any level. Yet again they have to have a massive reaction, Saturday. We will train Thursday to brush the defeat away, regroup and hopefully respond in a positive way.”

Attention now turns to the next fixture at home to Warrington Town this Saturday (3pm kick-off) as Whitby look to respond quickly and return to winning ways.

Whitby will be looking to bounce back from their second defeat of the season at the weekend. Picture: Owen Cox

Looking forward already after defeat in first home game of season

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Two goals in ten minutes saw Whitby fall to their first defeat of the season against Guiseley at The Towbar Express Stadium last night in an all Yorkshire affair.

It brought Lee Bullock’s side “back down to earth” said the Whitby Town manager, after Saturday’s win against Leek Town.

The Seasiders were unable to find a breakthrough against a well-organised Guiseley side, who made the most of their opportunities after the interval to leave Town empty-handed.

The visitors threatened early through their trademark long throws, with Elliot Owen glancing a header over the bar after 12 minutes before Lebrun Mbeka fired over from another dangerous delivery three minutes later. Mbeka then forced Jack Norton into action on 18 minutes, with the Whitby goalkeeper producing a fine save low to his right to keep the scores level.

Jack Norton, Whitby’s keeper. Picture: Adrian Cole

Whitby gradually worked their way into the contest and created several promising openings midway through the first half. Joey Phuthi was heavily involved, first seeing a deflected effort gathered by Jack Hall before delivering a cross to the far post that picked out Stan Hewitt. The wing-back’s strike bounced awkwardly into the ground and was comfortably collected by Hall.

Moments later, Hewitt again found space at the back post but could only scuff his effort into the goalkeeper’s hands, while Phuthi continued to test the visitors with his energy and direct running. Despite Whitby enjoying their best spell of possession, Guiseley remained a threat and Aaron Martin was unable to convert Charlie Staniland’s cross when he poked an effort over the crossbar on 26 minutes.

The two sides went into the break level, but Guiseley emerged strongly for the second half. Martin fired into the side netting from a tight angle shortly after the restart as the visitors signalled their intent.

Joey Phuthi putting the Guiseley players through their paces. Picture: Adrian Cole

Their pressure paid off seven minutes into the half when Martin rose highest to head home and give Guiseley the lead. Before Whitby could fully regroup, the same player struck again six minutes later, finishing to double the visitors’ advantage and leave the Seasiders with a mountain to climb at 2-0.

Lee Bullock’s side responded with a triple change just before the hour mark, introducing Adam Gell and Tommy Dowson before Jack Kilpatrick entered the action shortly afterwards. The alterations injected fresh energy and Whitby came close to reducing the deficit.

Sam Kay was particularly unfortunate. The midfielder rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance on 62 minutes and then sent another ambitious effort narrowly over from a difficult angle just three minutes later.

As Whitby pushed forward in search of a route back into the game, Guiseley continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack. Norton’s defence stood firm, with Phuthi producing a superb last-ditch challenge inside the penalty area to deny Cameron Wilson and prevent the visitors from extending their lead further.

Match action from Whitby’s game with Guiseley last night. Picture: Adrian Cole

Despite a determined effort in the closing stages, Whitby were unable to find a breakthrough. Guiseley’s clinical finishing after the interval ultimately proved decisive as the Seasiders tasted defeat for the first time this season.

Bullock’s side will now be looking to respond quickly and return to winning ways in their next outing at home to Ilkeston Town on Saturday.

Whitby Town captain, Stuart Rose. Picture: Adrian Cole

After the game, captain Stuart Rose said: “Disappointed after a great result Saturday. I felt it could have been a springboard into tonight getting a positive result.

“I felt in parts we played well but just were not at the races like we know we can be, but felt we could go on and win the game at half time.

“Unfortunately had a mad 20 minutes in which they controlled and managed to find themselves 2-0 up and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb back then.

“Positive notes are the work rate is there, the togetherness is there and the belief. The best thing about football is it’s not long to put
things right and that goes to Saturday against Ilkeston.”

Whitby Town marks milestone by avoiding drop on last day of the season

Whitby Anchor by Liam Ryder

Whitby Town ensured their place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division for another season with a hard-fought goalless draw against Cleethorpes Town at the Towbar Express Stadium.

On an afternoon charged with significance, the Seasiders marked a remarkable milestone, 100 years without relegation, by grinding out the point they needed in a tense and disciplined performance.

The visitors started brightly, forcing Shane Bland into early action. Inside five minutes, the Whitby goalkeeper produced a sharp save to deny Leon Gibson-Booth at the back post. Bland was called upon again soon after, reacting well to keep out a low drive from Max Wright.

Action from Whitby Town vs Cleethorpes Town. Picture: Brian Murfield

Cleethorpes continued to apply pressure, and Bland remained equal to it, holding confidently from Liam Hughes’ downward header following a corner on 14 minutes.

Whitby gradually grew into the contest, with Harley Dawson at the heart of their attacking moments. On 27 minutes, his low first-time effort tested Lloyd Allinson, who got down well to make the save. Dawson threatened again later in the half, slicing wide from the edge of the area after a swift counter-attack.

The hosts thought they had broken the deadlock in the 34th minute when Jake Charles found the net, but celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Whitby Town dug deep to stay up in the last game of the season on Saturday. Picture: Brian Murfield

As the half drew to a close, Bailey Conway fired over under pressure from Frankie Whelan.

After the interval, chances remained at a premium such was the cagey nature of this encounter from a Whitby perspective. Layton Watts tried his luck from distance early in the second half, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Allinson.

More than 670 supporters attended the crunch clash at the Towbar Express Syadium. Picture: Ceri Oakes

At the other end, Bland produced the save of the match just past the hour mark, diving low to his side to tip a goal-bound header from Hughes behind and preserve parity. This ultimately proved to be the moment that kept Whitby Town in the division.

Whitby continued to push for a breakthrough, with Dawson again going close on 69 minutes, his downward header tipped behind for a corner that came to nothing.

Late on, James Harrison curled an effort over the bar from the edge of the area, but neither side could find the decisive touch.

In the end, it mattered little for Whitby Town. The point was enough. At full-time, relief and pride swept around the ground as the Seasiders secured their status once more at the expense of Prescot Cables and Morpeth Town – extending a century-long record and proving their resilience when it mattered most.

Jubilant scenes at the end of Whitby’s Town match against Cleethorpes Town. Picture: Ceri Oakes
Whitby Anchor