VASSALLO WIZARDRY CONJURES UP A POINT
BOTH sides began this game in contention for a playoff place and both go into the final two games of the season with a sporting chance of a top-five spot.
It was the visitors who drew first blood on ten minutes. Dylan Vassallo’s deep, inswinging free-kick from the right-edge of the box found Dan Hattersley to nod between Shane Bland and his right-hand post.
Late in the first half came Whitby’s only real opportunity of the opening 45 minutes.
Dale Hopson’s free-kick was blocked on the line by a combination of centre-half James McCarthy and goalkeeper Anthony McMillan to preserve the visitors’ lead.
The second period began in frenetic fashion as the lively Vassallo went clear from six yards, clipping across goal but against Bland’s left-hand post with the outside of his right boot.
And within four minutes Whitby were level when Hopson’s solo run saw him race in off the left wing and beat two players before placing into the top-right corner from 12 yards.
However, Warrington roared back into the lead just three minutes later. Good work from Michael Bakare set up Hattersley to bicycle kick through Bland’s legs from close range.
The two-goal hero only started the match after original number nine Ruben Jerome had car trouble on the way to North Yorkshire, but he was certainly making the most of his opportunity.
Big Anthony Hume’s introduction for the hosts made a difference as Whitby looked to match the away side’s solid backline.
Within seconds he poked against McMillan’s chest as he charged down a long ball with Adam Gell’s lob from the loose ball nodded off the line amid a desperate scramble.
Twelve minutes from time Whitby pressure did tell as Hopson chipped McMillan, striking the upright, only for Matty Tymon fire home low from pointblank range.
Late on Bland cleared with his feet from Scott Bakkor, Kieran Weledji fired straight at McMillan from a great position and Hopson saw an angled drive deflected wide deep into five minutes injury time.
But a draw was a fair outcome and leaves both sides in the shakeup ahead of a full Easter Monday programme, with Whitby one of three sides on 76 points, headed by fifth-placed Grantham.