We’re delighted with keeping a clean sheet”

Whitley’s management were naturally delighted with the team’s performance in the victory over Billingham Town at the weekend. Derek Forrest highlighted several features of the game. “I’m really pleased because for the second time running we’ve scored four, which is always a massive positive, and obviously the bit we’re really delighted with is keeping a clean sheet as well. We’ve been a little bit more solid as well so we feel it’s a corner turned but it’s just a start and we’ve got to keep doing the work here.”

Tony Fawcett felt that Whitley were really dominant for the whole game. “We looked like if we’d really put our foot on the gas today it could have been 6 or 7 if I’m honest, but we were terrific going forward, really composed in midfield and the back five were excellent, so it was a solid performance.”

Talking about Adam Shanks and his hat trick Derek explained “The first one was such a good timed run and its almost an arrogant finish, it’s so skilful, then his third, the goal at the near post, I thought ‘what’s he going to do?’ and he smashed it, it was fantastic. We know Adam can do that and I think it’s been a real bonus for Tony and me to bring him back and get him scoring goals again.”

As Tony pointed out “He’s getting fitter, he’s happy and a good character to have among the lads. He’s a pleasure to have around. He’s the leading one but they’re all chipping in, the forward play’s excellent and he’s the icing on the cake I guess. The forward play today was terrific; they created loads of chances we could have scored more.”

Billingham have had a difficult start to the season with just one win so far but Tony was quick to give them credit. “You can only beat what’s in front of you but I think we’d be doing them a disservice to say they’re not a good team. They only got beat in the last minute by Stockton and they’ve been really close in some other games. I know some of their players; they’re not a bad team. I just thought we were really good today.”

Derek talked about the growing confidence that a clean sheet brings. ”When you are playing well and you score a goal and defend for a period after it, not like the yo-yo of Tuesday night, the players grow in confidence when they’re keeping clean sheets. That’s the full team, but especially the case for the back players to get the clean sheet, to keep grinding and grinding, like we did at Bishop Auckland, outplaying the other team but also doing the running back and chasing spoiling, putting your toe in and winning the 50-50’s.”