Whitehaven took three points from a hard Northern League game at the Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex against Guisborough.

The visitors played their part in an exciting match which swung their way later in the game but finished 3-2 in Whitehaven’s favour.

It started well for the hosts when Kevin Connelly put Darren Donald through on goal in the 11th minute, and the winger made no mistake with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area.

Stuart Shaw added to the score on 20 minutes, when Mally Holliday found Connelly just outside the penalty area, and his chested pass was taken on by Shaw who beat 'keeper Rafferty in impressive style. 

The visitors were still well in the game at this point, and Brian Miller had to be sharp to claim the ball, diving at Bythway's feet as the striker found space in the area.

Skipper Onions led the line well for Guisborough, and Graeme Lilly had to be quick to cover and snuff out the danger as he was about to shoot. 

Bythway then somehow fired wide when put through by Butterworth, but to be fair the ball seemed to arrive through a posse of players and took him by surprise.

At the other end, Rafferty completely misjudged a cross from Donald only to see it bounce off the crossbar and be scrambled away

Craig Robson's shot went high over the bar, which was a disappointment after his excellent run, and so the hosts went in at the break with a comfortable 2-0 cushion.

That became 3-0 in the 55th minute when Robson got his name on the score-sheet following good work from Holliday and Carl McGrady, and the game looked all over. 

The visitors then seemed to gain the upper hand in a purple patch following the goal, and it was no surprise when sub Shane Henry made the most of his chance, receiving an excellent pass from Farrington who threaded it between two home defenders.

Five minutes later Butterworth volleyed home a clearance from a corner kick past the unsighted Miller, and a comeback was definitely on the cards with the home side rocking.  Portas and Butterworth probed and worked hard to allow their front men a chance on goal, but the home defence stood firm for the remainder of the game, despite some anxious moments, to close out the game.

"Guisborough proved to be very tough opponents, and we were hanging on a bit at the end.  Full credit to our players, they dug very deep mentally and saw the game right through to the end for a vital three points," said coach Martin Harris at the game's conclusion.

Saturday sees the team travel to Newton Aycliffe for another difficult game, the newcomers having held out for a 0-0 draw at Whitehaven recently.

Team: Miller, Lewis, Johnson, Lilly, Hodgson, McGrady, Donald, Holliday, Shaw, Connelly, Robson. Subs: G. Hewitt (61) Rothery (73) R. Fowler, B. Fowler, Law.

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