Despite the fine sunny weather this was not one of the brightest games of the season, although the large crowd enjoyed a lively first half with numerous chances, but this would peter out somewhat after the break as the Seasiders fought back into the swing of things. Both sides showed signs of attack again in the closing minutes, but by then the game’s spark had really been lost.

Chasetown had the first chance in the third minute when a cross-cum-shot from Gary Birch flew wide at the far post, but six minutes later they took the lead when the striker laid up Ben Jevons on the left and he blasted the ball right-footed past Whitby keeper David Campbell for a fine goal.

The hosts continued to look the stronger side, Birch again crossing from the right on 21 minutes but Andrew Leeson beat Jevons and Danny Smith to the header at the far post. The Seasiders were struggling to find a breakthrough as they fought to equalise, the defence heading a corner off the line to set up a game of pinball in the area which ended when Dave Bridgwater’s overhead kick went wide.

Darren Acton in the Chasetown goal was called into action a couple of times in the closing minutes of the half as Whitby began to fight back, but still the Scholars pressed with Mark Branch’s long ball finding Birch in the 41st minute but Kevin Burgess was able to clear for the Seasiders.

Richard Davies was next to go close as his right-footed shot went over the bar as did John Branch’s similar effort in stoppage time, while Acton did well to palm away Chris Batcheler’s cannonball shot from 25 yards and Gary Birch’s free kick went into the Whitby wall at the close of the half.

After a quieter start to the second half Smith burst through on the left after some good work by Davies and Richard Teesdale but the Town defence and keeper Campbell closed him down, before a cross from Batcheler for the visitors looked to pick out David McTiernan but flew behind for a goal kick.

On 66 minutes the Seasiders’ pressure paid off as a break on the left saw the ball fed to Burgess and his spectacular overhead kick saw the ball fly past Acton and into the far corner of the net.

Things became scrappier thereafter and chances lessened accordingly, Smith going close on 82 minutes but his shot was cleared for a corner which was the first of three in quick succession for the Scholars, Birch and Teesdale both going very close with headers.

In the closing stages substitute Andy Westwood headed over the bar from a Ramone Stephens cross, while in stoppage time Acton was lucky as he got behind Leon Scott’s attack and the ball was cleared for a corner which the keeper punched clear.

Jevons almost stole a winner in the dying seconds but Campbell denied him a scoring chance following a free kick and the game ended in a draw.

Chasetown: Acton, J Branch, M Branch, Turner, Cohen (Slater, HT), Teesdale, Davies,
Bridgwater (Westwood, 70 mins), Birch, Smith (Stephens, 86 mins), Jevons

Other Subs: Parsons, Lloyd-McGoldrick (not used)