Report by Julian Tyley
A 2-2 draw at home to mid table Birtley Town was a disappointing result for Whitley but as assistant manager Barry Rizza pointed out, it was an improvement on the outcome at West Auckland seven days earlier.
“After last week’s match with quite a few players missing, this was an entertaining game for the fans”. But he admitted that in the closing stages it became “a bit end to end, but a good reaction from us. It was not the result we wanted but it is a point.”
“We had a stronger team out today and the second half performance was more like us. We started moving the ball about that little bit quicker. The message from us to the lads was ‘we can’t wait until we’re getting beat before we up the tempo. We need that level of performance for 90 minutes’.
“With the score 1-1 at half time there was still everything to play for and we were in the match. Last week we were behind and the final result was disappointing but like I said, we’ve asked for a reaction and in spells we’ve got it today, just not over the 90 minutes.
“They (Birtley) were creating chances but the way we play, we always look to go for three points. We’ll never settle for a draw, that’s probably why the fans enjoyed it. In the end to be honest, going forward we looked like the team that was going to win it, but fair play to them, they’ve dug in, they came here, they got two goals. It’s a good point for them but you could see the difference. We’re disappointed with a point and they’re very happy with a point.”
Birtley’s second goal was down to a rare error by keeper Mauro Asikaogu but Barry emphasized what the young keeper has achieved this season. “Listen, Mauro’s been absolutely outstanding for us. We’re never going to criticise him for this. He’s dug us out and won us so many points throughout the season, but it happens. Where it happens at that end of the pitch it can lead to a goal but we’re never ever going to have a go at him. He’s been outstanding.”
Callum Larmouth returned from the bench after injury and after the referee awarded a penalty, he faced a long delay before he could take the crucial spot kick that earned Whitley a draw. Barry was delighted to see Callum back in action and praised his calmness. “It was good for him and especially after he missed at penalty a few weeks ago. It shows the level of confidence he has. It’s good to see him back on the pitch and he looked sharp when he came on.”
