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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
