Mixed bag for Whitby

By Andrew Snaith

The Blues continue to be in a real dogfight in the bottom half of the NPL Premier.

It’s been a real mixed bag for Nathan Haslam’s men over the festive period and into the new year.

They waved goodbye to onloan midfielder Jamie Bramwell, who returned to Grimsby Town. Bramwell had used up his three loan stints allowed by the FA.

The Seasiders limped out of the North Riding Senior Cup at the hands of highflying Northern League Second Division Boro Rangers. The upwardly mobile

Rangers, who currently play at Stokesley FC, but have ambitions to move to Trinity College, Middlesbrough, next season, won on penalties.

Town lost 4-2 at NPL Premier leaders South Shields, despite an impressive Brad Fewster lob and a fine volley from Connor Simpson. This after the Blues held then leaders Hyde 1-1 at the Towbar Express Stadium under the midweek lights.

Fewster has been in fine form- the former Middlesbrough marksman leads the Seasiders’ scoring charts with seven goals in Town’s last 12 outings.

Andre Bennett has rejoined the club. The left-back, who also started out at the Riverside Stadium, has been filling in on the right-hand side of the Blues backline after

Soni Fergus’ long-term injury. The local lad is expected back in February.

The Seasiders earned a valuable 2-2 draw at FC United of Manchester’s Broadhurst Park. Ex-Hartlepool midfielder Lewis Hawkins but the Blues ahead inside six minutes but three goals in less than two crazy minutes after the break meant it finished 2-2.

Whitby Town FC are looking for the views of supporters as they plan for the future. There is a questionnaire on the club website whitbytownfc.com.

The Seasiders visit Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday February 4th, they then welcome Morpeth to the Towbar Express Stadium in a bottom half shoot out hoping to clinch a league double. The Blues have another six-pointer on Saturday 11th, at Stalybridge Celtic. They’ll then be no love lost when Marske visit the Turnbull on Valentine’s Day, Tues 14th Feb with a 7.45pm start. Warrington Rylands visit the following Saturday (18th), with a trip to another relegation rival, Lancaster City on Saturday 25th.

February fixtures for Whitby Town

FC:

Sat 4 Feb: Gainsborough Trinity (A) 3.00pm

Tues 7 Feb: Morpeth Town (H) 7.45pm

Sat 11 Feb: Stalybridge Celtic (A) 3.00pm

Tues 14 Feb: Marske United (H) 7.45pm

Sat 18 Feb: Warrington Rylands (H) 3.00pm

Sat 25 Feb: Lancaster City (A) 3.00pm