Whitham header earns late win for Lancaster City

A late Dale Whitham header gave Lancaster City all three points at Whitby Town in cold and breezy conditions.

It was Whitby Town, however, who made the quicker start. They took the lead within two minutes of kick-off but a Sam Bailey penalty brought Lancaster level.

The Dolly Blues were rewarded for their dominance in much of the second half as Dale Whitham scored a header from a corner just before the game entered added time.

A defensive error – a rarity, especially from Calen Gallagher-Allison and Jamie Mellen - led to Whitby’s goal – Aaron Haswell pressured the backline and took the ball off them, made a run into the box and slotted the ball home from there.

Coleby Shepherd was adjudged to have hindered David Norris’ goal scoring chance a little too roughly when Lancaster’s number nine was in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Sam Bailey converted his second penalty of the week, the first coming against Marske United on Tuesday night, and got his side level.

The remainder of the first half played out with few noteworthy events but the game livened up in the second half.

Lancaster looked solid on counter attacks and David Norris could have scored had his header been directed slightly more towards goal. He had another headed effort later on and that went just over.

Christian Sloan was forced off after suffering a knock to the back of his head and was replaced by Brad Carroll.

Lancaster ‘keeper Sam Waller was forced into a relatively comfortable save from a Harry Green drive.

Nic Evangelinos had a great opportunity to put Lancaster ahead at the back post but Shane Bland in the Whitby goal was there to deny him with a strong stop.

All three substitutes had a part to play in City’s next attacking move of note. Brad Carroll’s cross was helped on by Dom Lawson to Enoch Likoy who couldn’t get a shot away in time – Bland got to the ball first.

Bradley Fewster attempted to lob Sam Waller but the on-loan Burnley goalie dealt with it.

That was just seconds before the winner came courtesy of Dale Whitham’s headed effort from a Sam Bailey corner.

The Dolly Blues man of the match was the returning Niall Cowperthwaite who was brilliant in midfield after missing three games through suspension.

Mark Fell spoke to the club website after the game and said that while Whitby were the better side in the first half, “we were the better side second half by a country mile.

“We’ve knocked on the door, we played much more functional football.”

Fell praised the travelling Lancaster fans for their support throughout the match.

“The fans were superb, they always are here.

“They drove us on towards the end. I thought we were building pressure as the game went on.”

Lancaster’s next two games are outside of the league – firstly against Bamber Bridge at the Giant Axe in the LFA Challenge Trophy, then an FA Trophy Second Round tie against Chester at Deeva Stadium.