The new-look Blues won comfortably at Northern League opponents on Saturday.
Whitby Town got their preparations for the 2026/27 season off to the perfect start with an impressive 5-0 victory away at Marske United in their opening pre-season fixture.
The Seasiders wasted little time in making their mark and were rewarded with the first goal of pre-season after just ten minutes. Callum Hickman rose highest in the penalty area to head home and give Whitby an early advantage.
Just two minutes later, Lee Bullock's side doubled their lead. Stan Hewitt was quickest to react after a goalkeeping error from the hosts, calmly slotting the ball into the net to make it 2-0 and continue an excellent opening spell from the visitors.
Whitby remained firmly on the front foot throughout the first half. Stuart Rose and Sam Kay both tested the Marske defence midway through the opening period, with the home goalkeeper eventually gathering after a busy passage of play.
Hickman, buoyed by his early goal, nearly grabbed a second on 35 minutes when he turned sharply and fired narrowly over the crossbar from distance.
Two minutes later, Whitby were awarded a penalty after Marley Grant was felled inside the area. Grant stepped up from the spot, but the Marske goalkeeper produced a save to deny the striker and keep the score at 2-0 heading into the break.
The second half saw a number of changes from the Seasiders, but the momentum remained firmly with the visitors. One of those introductions, local lad Jack Kilpatrick, made an immediate impact.
Seven minutes after the restart, Kilpatrick was in the right place at the right time to tap home Whitby's third goal after Lucas Reed's initial effort had been saved. It was a well-worked move and a deserved reward for Whitby's positive start to the second period.
The visitors continued to create chances. On 57 minutes, Whitby's trialist goalkeeper demonstrated excellent distribution with a precise pass that released Reed through on goal, only for a recovering defensive challenge to prevent a clear opportunity.
Kilpatrick was involved again moments later, picking out Rose, whose downward header drifted wide. Rose then came close once more on 62 minutes, producing an acrobatic half-volley at the back post from a Reed corner that flashed just beyond the target.
Whitby's fourth goal arrived on 65 minutes and it was Kilpatrick who was on the scoresheet again. Showing composure inside the area, the young attack-minded player calmly slotted beyond the Marske goalkeeper to complete his brace and cap an excellent second-half display.
Hewitt almost added his second of the afternoon shortly afterwards, but his left-footed effort from inside the box cleared the crossbar.
As the game entered its closing stages, Reed continued to threaten, weaving his way towards goal before firing over with six minutes remaining. At the other end, Whitby's trialist goalkeeper was called into action late on but comfortably gathered a long-range effort.
The final word belonged to Ben Turner. Deep into stoppage time, the forward applied an emphatic finish to round off an excellent afternoon for the Seasiders and complete a convincing 5-0 victory.
It was an encouraging first outing of pre-season for Whitby Town, with goals spread throughout the side, several promising individual performances and a clean sheet to begin preparations for the new campaign in ideal fashion.
Boss Bullock told Whitby Town TV it was a good performance:
Whitby go to Bridlington Town next on Friday.
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