Another hard fought game as Bay draw with Hartlepool

WHITLEY BAY 1 HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1 Whitley remain unbeaten after six pre-season friendlies and this latest encounter proved to be a tough test against a strong and competitive Hartlepool United side.

Playing in their brand new home kit, Whitley went close in the fourth minute when Jack Byerley was just off target but they went behind two minutes later when Maloney fired in a great shot from outside the box and the ball crept just inside the near post with Tom Flynn beaten.  Only a fine fingertip save from Flynn three minutes later prevented the visitors going two up as they looked the stronger side at this stage. Whitley might have capitalised on a defensive mistake by Hartlepool just before the quarter hour when Peter Glen-Ravenhill seized on the loose ball but drove it straight at the keeper as he advanced and the ball was cleared.  Midway through the half Flynn made another important save to deny Mondal then Whitley went close with Potter hitting the side netting. United were posing the greater threat and just seconds before the interval it took a vital clearance off the line by Charmey to keep the visitors down to a single goal lead.

Seven minutes after the break, Whitley got right back in the game when Potter was tripped inside the box by Richardson and Callum Patton comfortably slotted home the penalty to level the score.

Both sides then made a series of substitutions but there was no further addition to the score, although Cornish went close for Whitley while Donnelly was not far off target for the National League visitors.

WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Byerley, Hall, C Patton, Wilkinson, Anderson, Potter, Charmey, K Patton, Kempster, Glen-Ravenhill. Second half substitutes: Cornish, Jasper, Haley, Cunningham

Attendance: 403

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