Whitby Town 1, City 0

THE angry dark clouds that had dominated the sky yesterday lifted in the nick of time as City arrived on the east coast.

In the same way, Phil Parkinson must sense some welcome daylight as his squad comes together ahead of the fast-approaching kick-off.

The signs were brighter before last night's game when Nathan Clarke confirmed his arrival on an initial one-year deal. At last, a centre half has come on board.

And then there was the sight of Stephen Darby once again going through his paces pre-match with assistant boss Steve Parkin, as he had done at Valley Parade on Saturday. With the skipper seemingly poised to return, pieces are falling into place.

Parkinson greeted Whitby with as strong a line-up as he could muster. Barring Darby, maybe, and Mark Marshall for Chris Routis, it had first choice stamped all over it.

So the fact they trailed at the break came as a bit of a jolt for all concerned – and the second half produced even less threat to the seventh-tier home side.

Results may be immaterial in friendlies but City never got out of second gear. But then, pre-season fever can creep in at this stage with the end in sight – and defeat may not be a bad thing in the grand scheme.

Clarke's first 45 minutes as a Bantams player were solid enough, winning his headers when called upon. But others around him looked off the boil at times.

Billy Clarke set up early chances for Billy Knott and Josh Morris but City were caught cold after 11 minutes. James Meredith cut out a through-ball but when it came straight back into the box, he caught Mikey Roberts first – and the home striker, who was on Crystal Palace's radar at Guisborough last year, rolled home the penalty.

Morris was denied a quick response when his lob over keeper Shane Bland was hooked off the line by Mark Robinson. Knott then squandered an even better chance when he could not control a Routis cross right in front of goal.

City enjoyed plenty of the ball on an excellent surface but there was still a rustiness about their play. The chances continued to add up, including an improvised overhead kick wide from Rory McArdle, but they lacked a threat.

Whitby were clearly enjoying themselves and Kieran Weledji, Lee Bullock's partner in the middle of the back four, nearly had a second goal as half-time approached. Then a careless touch from Tony McMahon was seized on by Roberts for a fizzing drive over.

City changed the entire team for the second period, which gave Steve Davies his longest run-out. The only face missing was youngster Jon Lewis, who had been allowed to fly back to America for a few days to tie up a few loose ends.

Given the complete reshuffle, there was a low-key feel to the resumption, with only the willing Dylan Mottley-Henry on the right wing really making any impression.

Former Bolton midfielder Luke Woodland was the latest trialist to figure but he only played half an hour and did little to suggest he will feature.

Bullock's evening ended on 65 minutes as Whitby followed suit with the changes and the contest drifted away.

Marshall squandered the best opportunity with a misplaced header from Luke James' centre into the six-yard box.

Mottley-Henry also charged down David McTiernan's clearance but Davies could only get a glancing touch with his diving header.

But it had turned into typical pre-season stuff – and thankfully there is only one more warm-up fixture to go now with the higher-profile weekend trip for Michael Duff's testimonial at Burnley.

City almost salvaged a draw with a late flurry, Marshall's cross causing a worry before Mottley-Henry drilled a goal-bound shot straight into a team-mate.

Whitby then threatened a second as Jason Blackburn man-handled trialist Conrad Balatoni away but Ben Williams just hung on to the loose ball in the scramble.

As far as City are concerned though, yesterday's highlights from the Turnbull Ground materialised before the game. At least the numbers are starting to add up with ten days to go to the real matter against Swindon.

City – first half: Williams, McMahon, N Clarke, McArdle, Meredith, Routis, Liddle, Knott, Morris, B Clarke, Hanson; second half: Cracknell, Hendrie, Balatoni, Sheehan, Leigh, Mottley-Henry, Wright, Woodland (Devine 76), Marshall, James, Davies.