Stockton Town and Whitby Town shared the points on a blustery afternoon on Teesside.
Both sides had a couple of opportunities to open the scoring, but neither could find the target with game ending goalless.
Ryan Barrett and Amar Purewal were both added to Stockton’s extensive injury report with minor injuries.
The match began at an eager pace, with Stockton lucky to not be behind after a number of consecutive defensive errors inside their own half.
Stockton nearly found a lead with the only real chance of the half, when Jake Petitjean powered his way past Shane Bland, before being halted by a last-ditch tackle from Alex Nelson.
Whitby’s Layton Watts missed with an opportunity from a wide position, while Stockton’s Kevin Hayes went close on two occasions – his first effort was blocked, and his second strike flew narrowly over the crossbar, but nothing to really test the goalkeeper.
Half-time: Stockton Town 0-0 Whitby Town
Following an earlier chance from Donald Chimililo, Stockton’s Josh Scott lofted a ball over Bland, but lost his footing, missing the opportunity to go through on goal.
Michael Woods had the best chance of the game, latching onto a weak push by Nathan Harker, but he somehow fired his effort high from a couple of yards out.
Hayes, Stephen Thompson and Jamie Bramwell each had late efforts, but Shane Bland was comfortably equal to the majority.
Despite the late pressure, and a very dangerous chance for Whitby, neither side could find a breakthrough, and the match ends goalless at full time.
Full-time: Stockton Town 0-0 Whitby Town
There’s again minimal rest for Stockton, as they’re on the road to FC United of Manchester on Tuesday evening.
Photo by Harry Cook
Words by Elle-Mai Keightley
