Thursday 21 October 2010

Whitby Town v Ossett Town Wednesday 8th September 2010 Evo-Stik Premier League

As we made our way to the Turnbull Ground the mist was swirling around and the temperature was dropping, great football weather! I take a few photos outside and fall into conversation the guy in charge of the car park.

After an interesting 10 minute chat we head into the ground. The entrance brings you out into the ground virtually in the corner with the impressive stand that was under construction last time I was here. It won the 2006 Best New Stand award from Groundtastic magazine and deservedly so. But we will get there when we have completed the walk round the ground.

We head anti-clockwise and pass the dressing rooms which are situated in the corner of the ground. This leads you behind the goal and this end has a two step terrace running the whole length of the end.

There is also evidence of an old turnstile half way down end but it does not look like it has been used for a while. There are also some old disused turnstiles too. I’d love to have some in my garden!

The side stand is a combination of terracing and seats which are also new since I was last here.
I’m not sure that the view would be that good as the dugouts appear to block the view from them. The terracing continues behind the seats and all of this area is covered.

After the covered area the terrace is just as wide but there are fewer steps and a floodlight pylon is positioned here too.

Behind the goal there is a one level hard standing running it’s entire length with a high netting to protect the houses behind.

We reach the side of the ground we entered and the first part has a six step terrace.

This then brings you back to the impressive new cantilevered stand which has seating for 500 and cost £370,000. There is a elevated covered area in front of the stand for disabled fans.

There are two sets of stairs to access the stand and the view is superb and totally unobstructed.

On top of the stand there is a gantry which houses the floodlights and I have to say this looked really impressive on the night we were there.

The seats are in the Club colours and were both comfortable and roomy.

Despite their indifferent start to the season, Whitby start the game well and went ahead after 10 minutes after Andy Campbell (former Middlesbrough and Leicester striker) put the ball into the box for Jamie Owens to score. Whitby continued to go forward and were dominating the game. But on 22 minutes Ossett were level. A ball forward caught out the Whitby defence and David Boardman side footed home the equaliser. Whitby continued to have the better of it and came the closet to scoring again when a well hit free kick from Jimmy Beadle was superbly saved by Ossett keeper Liam Sutcliffe. Half time arrived with no further score.

As with the first half Whitby had the first chance but although the shot beat the keeper it also went the wrong side of the post for The Seasiders. Minutes later a shot from Tony Hackworth rebounded back off the keepers legs and fell to Owens who saw his header come back off the cross bar. Ossett started to play better themselves and on 68 minutes Daniel Sherrife had a superb 25 yard shot matched by a superb save from Whitby stand-in keeper David Campbell. Five minutes later, Whitby regained the lead. A cross from Leon Cross on the left evaded everyone but Jimmy Beadle who stuck out a leg to divert the ball into the Ossett net. The two teams were trading chances but Whitby were just edging it and they increased their lead on 83 minutes. Sutcliffe made a good save from Beadle but the ball ran to Tony Hackworth who rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. This was the final goal of the night and Whitby ran out 3-1 winners.

A good win for Whitby and a good game to watch. The Turnbull Ground is one of my favourites and I really would recommend you take time to visit. Combine it with a visit to Sandsend and I’ll guarantee you a great day out.

More pictures of the Turnbull Ground here.


Whitby Town 3-1 Ossett Town
Att: 231
Admission: £7.50
Programme: £1.50
Badge: £3.50

2 comments:

  1. Good stuff Reynard. Whitby is such an atmospheric place, it has a coastal feel like no other location, especially this time of the year. Not done the ground yet (despite many visits to the town) but it's on the ASAP list. Spent a few nights in Sandsend in the past, listening to the waves rolling onto the beach. Enjoyed your visit report.

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  2. Thanks for your kind comments Uwdi. I don't think this will be my last visit somehow.

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