MATCH REPORT: Whitby Town 0-0 Workington AFC
- Jan 11
- 2 min read
The Towbar Express Stadium emerged as a green oasis in snow covered North Yorkshire after a challenging cross-country journey.
And on a ‘perfectly-playable’ pitch, Reds shaded this goalless draw following another encouraging performance. It might be stretching the truth to say they were unlucky not to win, but in terms of structure, a method of playing and optimum use of limited resources, Billy Barr’s side are performing with a belief that gives hope to the loyal support who travelled in numbers.
The game improved throughout the second half but restricting Whitby to very few clear-cut chances throughout was Workington’s main objective. To then make something of the opportunities which came their way would have supplemented a good solid display but the lack of a cutting edge, or delivering that crucial final ball, remains a work in progress.
Shane Bland did have to make the first save of the afternoon when he blocked Josh
Galloway’s early effort, after Steven Rigg had provided the assist.
Bland made another fine stop to thwart Tom Stephenson soon after the interval, again after good centre forward play from Rigg.
Rigg had two attempts at goal himself but neither troubled the evergreen Bland whilst Galloway saw a decent free-kick from just outside narrowly miss the target. And Keelan Leslie could have emerged as the match-winner but dragged his shot wide, just before the final whistle, after the ball landed at his feet following a goal mouth scramble.
Workington dealt with Donald Chimalilo’s trickery and the more potent threat from substitutes Jake Charles and ex. Red, Matty Tymon, and Alex Mitchell, on his return to the side, kept out firmly struck shots from Lewis Hawkins and Michael Woods.
Town’s best opportunities in the first half fell to Ben Farrer but he could only find the side netting with his first attempt and team mate, Layton Watts, seemed to impede him and a close-range header was easily claimed by Mitchell.
Steven Swinglehurst sustained what appeared to be a calf strain mid-way through the first half but Isaac Whitehall slotted into the back four and inspired a solid unit to a first clean sheet in ten outings.
Luke Ellis was outstanding in the engine room and Kai Nugent and Tom Stephenson combined well with skipper Rigg, as Reds extended their unbeaten league run at The Turnbull Ground to six matches.
“We didn’t get the goal we wanted but were still breaking forward in numbers in the last minute and have to go and do it again on Tuesday,” was a proud Billy Barr’s take on a good afternoon’s work.
Whitby Town: Bland, Smith, Collins (Haswell, 77), Nelson, Whelan, Gell, Hawkins, Woods (Harrison, 36), Farrar (Tymon, 62), Watts (Charles, 70), Chimalilo (Dawson, 80).
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Dickinson, Whitehall, Little, Swinglehurst (Hopper, 22), Galloway (Leslie, 80), Ellis, Rigg, Stephenson (Palmer, 67), Nugent (McDonough, 80). Substitute: Davidson (not used).
Referee: Jamie Cann, Stockton
Bookings: Collins (Whitby Town), Little, Ellis (Workington)
Attendance: 353
