“We showed our quality today”

Whitley’s management team were in great spirits after seeing their team battle back from a goal down early in the game to win 4-1 at Penrith. Coach Sean Brett felt it was a well deserved victory. “It was very comfortable. I think we showed our quality today. The thing I’m really proud of is how we reacted after conceding the first goal in three minutes, that’s when our quality showed.  Coming down here in midweek is not easy but we came and got the job done so it’s a happy day! We know about the character in the team; we’ve shown that we can go 1-0 down and come back and win like we did at Bishop Auckland and then against Newton Aycliffe; we’ve shown that on many occasions this season.”

Derek Forrest was particularly pleased with how the players reacted to going a goal down. “Some of the football in the first half and the chances we’ve created were fantastic. It’s a good football team that creates chances and takes them as well as we did and we went in at half time comfortable. We’d played some great football after a good reaction to conceding early on which could have meant a tricky night in Penrith with their guys coming at us; but we’ve recovered well. I was a little bit anxious straight after the goal, but we recovered with a good style of football and popped the ball around, we really moved the ball quickly. It was fantastic, I’m delighted!”

Craig McFarlane had an outstanding game, something that Tony Fawcett was quick to acknowledge. “I thought he was outstanding! Some of the lads were having a laugh about how old he is (33) but he gives you that quality. Derek hit the nail on the head, you need a leader, someone with that quality and he was a great example, he set somebody up for three of the goals. We try not to single players out but he deserved it today. I thought he was absolutely brilliant and he deserves all the plaudits he gets at the minute.”

“If there was a negative today it was the first five minutes, but they travelled two hours to Penrith and I thought they were outstanding. In the first half they were really, really good and deserved the three points.

“We spoke about how Penrith would be looking forward to this one after winning 5-2 last time out, and that they’d be targeting this game, so when they went a goal ahead our lads showed real character to get back in.”

This was a fourth consecutive win, and with 19 goals scored in the last five games. Derek reflected on these statistics. “Our points are going up, nearly 20 now, our goal difference has turned around quickly.  I think goal difference never lies in football. If you look at the different leagues, the teams at the top obviously score goals and the teams at the bottom are in the minus figures for goal difference because they don’t defend well enough. Our balance is good at the minute… it’s just a shame we can’t bring all the fans back to see the lads play.”

Tony added “We thank the fans for coming, it’s a long way to come tonight and we appreciate every single one of them that comes. You can hear them, offering encouragement to the lads, and every little voice helps.”