New Marske 3 - Whitby Town 1
The visit of Whitby was a very important game, as they had had a great start to the season with four straight wins before the defeat to 21st Allstars last week. Unfortunately we didn't get off to a good start, getting caught square at the back allowing a Whitby player to round Dean and hit the ball toward goal, although great covering by Jack saw the ball cleared off the line. Although that early break was a let off, on 2 minutes we did go a goal behind when a break on the right saw the ball find it's way to an unmarked player in the box who hit the ball past Dean. 0-1 to Whitby.
That was a terrible start to the game for us and in the early stages there was no let up as Whitby went close with another three efforts at goal, coming from strong running from midfield where they were finding time and space. It was looking as if it could be a bad day at the office for us, as we were being continually overrun for the first 15 minutes.
Eventually we settled down and got a shape to our game and on 20 minutes we managed to score the equaliser. Strong battling by Matthew to win the ball allowed Joe to push on on the right, sending in a low cross to the near post. Frank did well to get to the ball in advance of the keeper, knocking it past him, and into the net as he fought off a last ditch challenge from a Whitby defender. 1-1.
We were getting more and more into the game, with some excellent tackling going in all over the pitch. Both sides were making chances, trying to get back in front in the game. We started to exert a bit more pressure as we started to play the game in the Whitby half a bit more, and the Whitby defence were looking less than composed at times. A one on one with the keeper by Frank and a sharp bit of ball juggling and shot by Joe saw us come close as we started to grow in confidence.
The pressure eased on Whitby when Matthew received a talking to from the ref and awarded a free kick in our half. The ball came in but was defended comfortably with the ball being hit up to Frank, who raced away from the Whitby defence before crashing the ball onto the post, with Joe unable to reach the rebound.
We were growing in confidence all the time but as the whistle sounded to end the half the score was still deadlocked at a goal each.
Half-time: New Marske 1 - Whitby Town 1
No changes were made at half time as we looked to continue dominating the game in the second half, however Whitby had the best early chance with a break down the left as the attacker cut inside before hitting a shot wide of the post. Whitby were back on top as they pushed on energetically in the early stages of the second half, but the defence were doing a great job in not allowing a clear chance at goal.
The game was swinging from one end to the other with decent football being played, but neither side as yet could work a clear opening. Whitby nearly made the breakthrough as we appealed for an offside decision, that the referee didn't agree with allowing Whitby to cross the ball in to an on rushing player, whose shot struck the post before falling kindly into Dean's arms.
Whitby looked to be free in the box and just about to hit a shot when a crunching challenge from Jack cleared the ball upfield. Ben Hubbard came onto the field to replace Matthew in midfield, as we looked to get at Whitby again. Things started to turn around as a great ball in from Liam couldn't quite find a man before Joe put another shot narrowly wide of the post. We were working really hard as we started to turn the screw on Whitby, finding ourselves with more and more possession.
A throw in passed a couple of static Whitby defenders to arrive at Joe's feet, who flicked it up, swivelled and volleyed it narrowly past the post once more. The mounting pressure eventually told on 68 minutes, when Joe, avoiding the offside trap broke away and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper to make the score 2-1 to New Marske.
The game had completely turned around as we were first to the ball in midfield, and started to knock the ball around the pitch very well. Whitby did manage to strike a shot goalward, but under pressure it sailed well over Deans bar. On 72 minutes things got even better as we stretched our lead. A great clearance by Jack found Frank who shrugged off the defence before slotting the ball home to make the score 3-1 to New Marske.
Straight from the kick off it should have been four, as fantastic battling in midfield allowed Frank once more to get one on one with the keeper who this time made a save to deny the goal. there was a break in play as Danny and a Whitby player limped away for treatment after the crunching challenges at the start of the move. Whitby's attacking threat was receding more and more as the game went on, as we started to look totally dominant in the game. Whitby were having sporadic possession around our box, but the defence were coping brilliantly, offering no openings for Whitby to exploit.
Liam was the next to go close as he attacked down the left before hitting a shot goalward, forcing the keeper to make a save. A free kick to Whitby was defended very comfortably as we broke away with pace once more. We were almost attacking at will with Frank, Joe and Danny getting forward, as Danny ended up hitting a shot that didn't trouble the keeper. Seconds later he was at it again, as he picked the ball up in midfield before shrugging off a Whitby player and hitting a shot narrowly past the post.
Whitby, reduced to playing on the break came close as a shot crashed onto our bar, although Dean looked to have it covered. The final minutes saw us control the game once more, before the whistle sounded to bring to an end an excellent performance from every New Marske player on the pitch.
A very very well deserved victory this one.
Final Score: New Marske 3 - Whitby Town 1
MOTM:- : Jack Lochrie
Other images from the game...
