Whitby Town Drop Into Relegation Zone

Sunday, 9 February 2025 07:45

Whitby are in freefall after a third successive defeat took them into the NPL Premier's bottom four for the first time since appointing Gary Liddle as manager, back in October.

A reluctant player, Liddle picked himself in the centre of defence but an old bugbear returned as the Blues conceded from a corner, inside seven minutes.

Goalkeeper Shane Bland, a reassuring figure back in the home line-up, was making his 450th appearance for Whitby, with the ex-Middlesbrough stopper claiming an 18-yard effort comfortably, on 16 minutes.

The Seasiders had a first opening, soon after, with Adam Gell, also back in the side, after a three-match suspension, seeing his powerful shot charged down. Now in the ascendancy, Whitby sold top scorer Steve Walker to nearby rivals Scarborough Athletic, in midweek, Nathan Thomas tried to take up that mantle, forcing the Morpeth keeper to touch wide.

Lewis Hawkins then saw a shot from distance skid wide.

Bland pulled off a remarkable reflex save to keep out Matty Tymon's almost-own-goal header.

However, the visitors then finished calmly, with a solo effort for 2-0, 19 minutes from time.

Gell and Sam Collins tried to reduce the arrears late on, but both struck over the crossbar.

Attendance: 404

Liddle spoke to Whitby Town TV after the final whistle:

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