Report by Julian Tyley
On a glorious sunny spring day Whitley took a somewhat depleted squad to Kendal but strengthened their play-off hopes with an excellent 2-1 victory over the side sitting just below them in fourth place.
Along with the players and travelling fans, manager Jay Bates was understandably in good spirits following the victory.
“We knew it was going to be tough. Coming to Kendal Town is always tough, but when you’ve got a bit of your squad missing, we knew it was going to be a tougher task.”
Three players who had been abroad during the week travelled straight from the airport to be at the game, which was welcome news as Jay said. “We looked a bit healthier on the bench with the lads just landing today. But beforehand I’d have taken the draw as I said on Tuesday. But after 10 or 15 minutes I would have taken the win because I thought we started off really brightly.”
George Brady, who was a regular in the side last season signed on during the week and his performance delighted his manager. “George slotted in like he’s never been missing and helped us create a lot of chances in the first half. If Nathan had taken that second one that hit the inside of the post, I think we’d have been a lot more comfortable in the game, but fair play to Kendal, they don’t lie down and in the last ten minutes I thought they threw everything at it. They got the goal that they probably deserved and then, every man we had on the pitch including those subs that came on defended really well for the last ten minutes.”
Tactics were different for this game compared with the midweek goalless draw against Marske. “We knew that going two up top suited us today after watching them last Saturday, with playing off the forward man and Alfie getting a lot of chances. I think they were quite open at the back in the first 20 to 25 minutes but it’s a different game from Tuesday. On Tuesday they (Marske) came to take a draw, Kendal were coming in it to win. They needed to win and we’re now four points ahead of them with a game in hand (a gap that will increase when the league table is amended following West Allotment’s resignation) so with them needing to beat us, the space was open for us, so it was quite a different game compared to Tuesday.”
Whitley’s second goal, a header from defender Graham Williams, came ten minutes from time, just as Kendal were beginning to come more into the game, and was crucial as Jay agreed. “It was, just five minutes before, there was a similar cross and Graham was at the back post but he was stretching for it and put it over the bar, so it was good for Graham to get that goal and it meant we could take a few players off ready for Tuesday against North Shields. Moments in games define things and that second goal defined it, but then they came at us for the last ten minutes and threw everything at us.
“There was a great save by Mauro. Their keeper’s done similar in the first half when he blocked Alfie’s shot with his legs. They had another chance before the corner when they scored their goal but Robbie’s done a great block that’s put it wide. So we’ve had our chances and they’ve had a couple of chances. But I think until the last ten minutes they didn’t really create many problems if I’m being totally honest, but we did, throughout the game.”
Several regulars were missing from the starting eleven as Jay explained. “Micky Scott usually starts week in week out, Cal, Mikel, both regular starters. Then there’s Jakey Forster, just come back from injury but he’s usually a starter and don’t forget, Mackenzie wasn’t there, so it was an opportunity for lads to come in and prove themselves and I think they did; but,(hinting at possible changes for the Northumberland Senior Cup tie) unfortunately for them, Tuesday’s a different game against North Shields. There are players in and out of the side at the moment but that’s what we’ve got a squad for. Gildo and Alan will be back available on Tuesday after their England Schools trials.”
