Haslam lauds praise following Ilkeston triumph

The Seasiders, fresh from a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Ashton United 48 hours earlier, flew into a 3-0 half-time lead at the New Manor Ground following strikes from Lewis Hawkins, Adam Gell and Jerome Greaves.

Greaves netted a brace as he notched his second goal in the second half, while efforts from Dylan Erratt-Thompson and Henri Wilder took some gloss of the scoreline as they responded for the hosts.

"We went a little bit more experienced in terms of our team selection. The message was that we wanted to get a fast start and the boys did that," Haslam told whitbytownfc.com. "Three games in just as many days is a real challenge at this level but they did themselves proud as a squad.

"It was a good, energetic game of football, but we now need to rest up and see where we're at."

Following two successive defeats, Haslam was particularly keen to end the run against an Ilkeston side who came into the fixture with identical early season form.

The Town boss felt that the two defeats to Worksop Town and Ashton United weren't true reflections of his side and their credentials to compete towards the top end in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division.

"The last two games weren't us," Haslam said. "We needed a reaction and that was the pre-match message. We got the fast start so to go in 3-0 up at half time was great.

"It mirrored the other two away performances this season at Guiseley and Marine."

Haslam was particularly pleased with the contribution of Jerome Greaves, who scored his first two competitive goals for the Seasiders against Ilkeston, despite being introduced a substitute in place of the injured Bradley Fewster.

After netting twice either side of half-time, Haslam highlighted his positive impact on the side as he helped Town towards securing maximum points against the Derbyshire outfit.

The Whitby boss added: "We had to make an enforced change and Jerome came on. I'm chuffed for him because he's a striker and he needs goals.

"The finish for his first goal was outstanding and that's given him a little bit of a leg up to go and get the second later on."