Interview by Julian Tyley
Whitley’s 3-2 win at Shildon was certainly an eye catching result against last season’s league runners up and play off finalists. Unbeaten at home until the last game of the campaign against champions Guisborough, the Railwaymen are formidable opponents at Dean Street. Indeed, Whitley had not won there in the last 14 years.
With the management team all unavailable, kit man and manager of the new Reserve team, Tommy Davies was in the dug out, supported by former player Luke Parkinson.
Understandably the pair were delighted with the result as Tommy said “It’s a massive result. Obviously the management team weren’t here. Me and Luke stepped in to help and yes the team battled right to the very end. They battled for each other with a never say die attitude and it showed on the pitch today.”
Whitley could not have made a better start, taking the lead inside the first minute. “Yes, a great ball by Mikel put Alfie through on goal and he took his chance really, really well. So it put them right on the back foot. I didn’t think they were expecting anything like that in the first ten minutes at least!”
Shildon fought back strongly and created numerous chances but Tommy was pleased with the way Whitley defended. “We battled, they hit the bar twice but I still think our defence was quite solid. Micky Scott and Graham Williams were solid at the back, both generals at the back giving instructions when they needed to.”
The home side’s equaliser in the second half proved the real test as Whitley might have struggled to contain a buoyant side lifted by the goal and with their fans getting behind them but Tommy said the response was “Nothing changes, we were on top of our game, they just got a lucky ball through which the keeper saves and it spills straight to their striker. It happens but we could still see there was another goal in this game and we had to get that next goal, which we did when we got the penalty from Macca which turned the tide back in our favour.
Their second equaliser which followed a quickly taken free kick just outside the box ,was the main moment of controversy. Whitley felt harshly treated. Tommy pointed out “the keeper’s asked for a wall, he should have been given a wall. We were standing on the ball and they’ve taken it dead quick and the referee’s let it go. I think that’s one decision the ref did get wrong today we’ve asked for the wall and he didn’t given us a wall, but it is what it is.”
But then their defender lost the ball and Macca got it and took it round the keeper to score the goal that’s won us the game.”
Highlighting Whitley’s attacking threat, Luke added “We haven’t had many good results down here over the years. The forwards we had today, whilst we defended a lot of the game, we always looked lively on the counter attack with three forwards up there, absolute live wires, they were grafting they were putting the work in. As soon as they got it they ran at the Shildon defence and kept the pressure on them.”
