REPORT: WHITBY TOWN 3-0 UNITED

BY CALLUM WRIGHT

Basford were restricted to nine men as they suffered defeat in an often chaotic encounter at the seaside to Whitby Town.

The Seasiders took the lead through Junior Mandal’s volley in the first half, and Basford remained involved until Kieron Fenton’s sending off, after which an impressive run from Coleby Shephard and a late Jacob Gratton penalty sunk the Ambers. Prince Mancinelli also saw red in the closing stages to conclude the poor evening.

It was almost the perfect start for the visitors as a long ball from Kieron Preston caused confusion for the Whitby defence, allowing the ball to fall at Jack Lewis’ feet outside the box. His powerful effort beat Shane Bland but ricocheted straight back off the post, ending the promising opening onslaught.

The game remained open as the intense opening refused to die down, with Junior Mondal firing just over the bar from close range only minutes later. Both sides made deep runs down all the channels but no clear opening could be found and the deadlock saw no big chance of being broken.

Returning Whitby forward Mondal was the eventual difference maker in the feisty encounter, as a mix up after a dangerous corner led to Preston failing to catch the ball, allowing Mondal to volley the idle ball home in the 21st minute, giving the Seasiders the lead.
Thornhill almost brought the Ambers immediately level as the skipper’s free kick was brilliantly saved by Bland as it looked goal bound at the top corner. Neither side could find a critical moment for the rest of the first half however, with Mondal coming the closest again with a shot inches wide of the post.

Thornhill was involved again as he made a deep run toward goal before sliding the ball in the path of Rev James, but couldn’t beat Bland at extremely close range. The half came to an end with Basford behind, but certainly not out of proceedings.

Remaye Campbell almost changed the Ambers’ fortunes shortly after play resumed, but he could only get his boot agonisingly close to getting on the end of Joshua Barnes’ cross. Preston made a great diving save at the other end to deny Nathan Thomas minutes later.
Whitby upped the aggression and almost doubled their lead after a flurry of chances from Mondal and Thomas, but none clear enough that the game remained in the balance. Basford remained dangerous however and a series of free kicks threatened an equaliser.

After a corner however, Kieron Fenton’s 50/50 challenge as Whitby threatened to break away on the counter saw him enter the book for a second time, leaving the visitors to contest with 10 men.

The Seasiders added salt to the wound in the 81st minute, as Coleby Shepherd picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and drove through the entire Basford backline, eventually finishing calmly past Preston to double their lead.

Jacob Gratton collided with Henri Wilder in the box in the 92nd minute to make matters worst, and the ref didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. Gratton’s shot had too much power for Preston and made it beyond all doubt and 3-0. Only seconds after the restart, Prince Mancinelli saw two yellows in quick succession and saw United finish with nine. The whistle then blew and confirmed the Ambers’ rough defeat on the road.

Next up, we’re back at home as we take on Manchester based side Hyde United at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday afternoon (3pm)

UNITED: Preston, Thomas, Wilder, Lewis, Frizelle, Fenton, Barnes (Tyson, 62’), Thornhill © (Ridgley, 77’), Campbell, Mancinelli, James (Goddard, 84’)

SUBS (not used): Saane, Tomlin

ATT: 527 (54 away)