SPORTS HOME RUN ENDS
by Peter Scherer
Although Mickleover Sports started strongly against Whitby Town, their run of home success sadly came to an end with a 3-1 defeat in front of a healthy home crowd.
It was fairly even from the start until Patrick Webb had Whitby keeper Shane Bland at full stretch with a save just under the bar as the 20 minute mark approached. His attempt was then closely followed by a shot just around the left hand post from Stuart Beavon.
Durrell Berry had cleared one Whitby attempt off the line, before Sports pressure then told on 32 minutes when Webb was left with a tap in at the left hand post, after a dangerous cross from the right.
But Whitby were soon back into the game as Callum Patton secured the equaliser, before both Beavon and Webb had further attempts well saved by Bland.
They went in at 1-1 at half time but within minutes of the restart Webb went close again, then with the Sports defenders looking for offside, Paul Blackett got through and was left to beat Sports Keeper Nathan Broome in a one on one to give Whitby the lead.
It continued as end to end, but the increasing wind started to play a part, particularly affecting Broome’s clearances.
Andrew Wright went desperately close to equalising, as his deflection just missed the top right hand corner, while Sports made a double substitution with Mason Warren replacing Keme Agustien and Reece Thompson on for Ryan Nesbitt.
But Whitby went further ahead when Patton scored his second with seven minutes on the clock, and made sure all three points headed Northwards.
Sports will be hoping to return to winning ways again on Tuesday evening, when they are up against title contenders Basford United.