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Wednesday 5 March 2014

Defences on top in Whitehaven stalemate

WHITEHAVEN 0 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 0
By Ricky Butler at the Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex

Highlights of this match can be viewed here

NORTHALLERTON TOWN made their longest away trip of the season on Tuesday evening and came back with a hard earned point from what was a keenly contested encounter by the Irish Sea.

No one relishes a midweek trip to Cumbria but Town rolled up their sleeves and certainly deserved a share of the points against a Whitehaven side who belied their lowly league position.

In a game dominated by defences, Peter Mulcaster's side just shaded a tight first half but were grateful to debutant goalkeeper Steven Walker, on loan from Richmond Town, in the second as Whitehaven had the better of things.

But Town could have nicked it at the death when in-form striker Graham Caygill rolled an effort narrowly wide deep into stoppage time.

Mulcaster said: "It was a game of two halves. The first half, we were the better side but in the second half they were the better side. But it was a very good performance.

"I am over the moon with the lads because the work rate was unbelievable. We had two or three chances in the first half but Stevie (Walker), who was making his debut, made three great saves in the second half. A draw was a fair result and I am over the moon with the performance."

Mulcaster was forced into three changes from Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win at Brandon. Walker was brought in on loan from Richmond to take on the problem goalkeeping position, while Colin Anderson and Dale Elgie were both unavailable due to injury and work commitments respectively.

So Martin Butterworth was pushed back into midfield, Darren Kokes partnered Caygill up front, while Danny McLachlan started on the right, and Ritchie Dacombe on the left. Meanwhile, Academy winger Michael Gunnell was included in the squad for the first time.

But despite the changes and the long journey, Town started well. Twice Gav Parkin came close to opening the scoring in the first half - firing over from 20 yards before being denied by Whitehaven goalkeeper Ian Studholme.

At the other end Walker marked his debut with a great save with his legs to deny the lively Gregg Quayle before Studholme did even better to keep out a Caygill effort just before the break.

The second half saw the hosts begin to get on top and Walker really came in to his own. He made a great double save to deny Fergus Jeans and Barry Armfield before turning an effort from Armfield over the top with a strong right hand.

Town created very little, even after Gunnell and Mikey Stevens had replaced Kokes and Dacombe, but they nearly snatched all three points in stoppage time. A long ball over the top by Butterworth sent Caygill clear but with just Studholme to beat he rolled his effort agonisingly into the side netting and it finished in a rare goalless draw.

"Whitehaven defended quite well but we maybe lacked a little sharpness up front," said Mulcaster. "It is not a case of two points dropped, it is a case of a good point won.

"The back four tonight were absolutely tremendous. Young [James] Howlett was unbelievable. Him and Grant [Hickman] have formed a great partnership together. We are just not scoring like we were and that is the problem now."

Next up for Town is the visit of title-chasing Jarrow Roofing on Saturday.

WHITEHAVEN - Studholme, Tudman, Hunter, Holliday (M), Parker, Law, Donald, Jeans, Armfield, Tymon, Quale. SUBS - Wooff, Pears, Holliday (J), Robson, Kennedy.

TOWN - Walker - A debut to remember. Made three great saves and kept a clean sheet. Man of the match. 9/10

Porritt - Another solid game at right back. 8/10

Hemingway - Has really settled into the side in recent weeks and was once again outstanding. 8/10

Hickman - His partnership with Howlett is fast becoming the best in the league. 8/10

Howlett - Just keeps getting better and better. 8/10

Butterworth -Looked far more comfortable in a midfield role and was at the heart of all the best Town moves. 7/10

McLachlan - May not enjoying playing on the right but once again put in a great shift. Was certainly of the brighter attacking players on a difficult for night for attacking players. 8/10

Parkin - Was determined that the team would not to come home empty-handed and he did as much as anyone to ensure they did not. 8/10

Kokes - Was kept quiet by a strong Whitehaven defence although he never stopped working. 7/10

Caygill - So nearly the match winner again but it just was just not meant to be for him this time. 7/10

Dacombe - Gave the side a balance down the left although faded in the second half. 7/10

SUBS - Stevens - Caused the Whitehaven a new problem with his pace after replacing Kokes. 7/10

Gunnell - A lively debut for the Academy youngster. 7/10

REFEREE: A. Charters

ATTENDANCE: 25

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