Town Get Point at Whitby

Grantham returned from Whitby with a well-deserved point following a one all draw.
The opening exchanges were even. Whitby’s Michael Roberts early shot was straight at Jake Turner and at the other end Greg smith saw his deep cross gathered by Whitby keeper Shane Bland. Whitby went close on 10 minutes when Adam Gell outpaced the Grantham defence on the left and although his shot beat turner Brad McGowan was back to clear the danger. Bland punched away a Kirby cross under pressure on 14 minutes and 5 minutes later it was Turner’s turn to collect a cross from Whitby’s Adam Gell. Grantham began to push forward and Jamie McGhee and Lee Shaw both had shots go wide. Grantham went close to taking the lead on 26 minutes when Greg Smith headed a Sam Purcicoe cross towards the far post but it was headed off the line by a Whitby defender. Grantham had a scare a minute later when defender Kieran Weledji ran from deep in his own half before feeding Ryan Brobbel who forced Turner into a fine one handed save. Whitby took the lead on 32 minutes when Adam Gell picked up a Lee Beeson clearance and fed Ryan Brobbel who cut in from the left to beat Turner as the Grantham keeper came out. Grantham pushed hard for the remainder of the half but it ended with Whitby a goal to the good.
Grantham began the second half on the attack and were level within 3 minutes. Lee Shaw went past the Whitby defender on the right hand side and when his cross came in it was met by Greg Smith at the far post for the Grantham equaliser. Lee Shaw had a chance on 51 minutes but Bland was out quickly to block the strikers shot Jamie McGhee saw his goal bound shot spin back away from goal on 54 minutes. Grantham were now well on top a Bland was forced into saves from both Danny Meadows and Greg smith as Grantham pushed forward. Whitby were dangerous on the counter and Turner had to be alert to kick clear from Brobbel. Emmott shot narrowly over from a meadows free kick 63 minutes and 5 minutes later Greg Smith and Whitby keeper Bland were both injured as they challenged for a loose ball but both were able to continue after treatment. Turner made a good save at his near post on 67 minutes and a minute later Greg Smith was replaced by Ben Saunders Both Emmott and Hollingsworth had shots narrowly wide of the target as Grantham remained on top. Lawrence Gorman came on for Lee Beeson on 71 minutes and Jack Beckett for Jamie McGee on 79 minutes. Whitby substitute James Brown headed wide from the edge of the box on 80 minutes and had another chance on 83 minutes but shot over when well placed. Whitby had a great chance to snatch all 3 points in time added when McTiernan had a clear shot from 10 yards but Turner spread himself to block the shot with his legs and the game ended at one all.

Grantham
J Turner, D Meadows, M Emmott, S Purcicoe, B McGowan, L Beeson (Gorman 71), J McGhee (J Beckett 79), M Hollingsworth, G Smith (B Saunders 68), Shaw, A Kirby.
Subs not used C Vagaroso

Whitby
S Bland, L Shepherd, M Robinson (R Gardner 88), L Bullock, K Weledji, D McTieran, C Martin, A Gell, M Roberts (J Brown 75), R Brobbell, L Mason (S McCarthy 79).
Subs not used L Mellor, T Charmey

Referee Mr C Dean

Red / Yellow Cards – None

Corner Count
Grantham 5
Whitby 5

Attendance 253