EMIRATES FA CUP 1st QUALIFYING ROUND
WHITLEY BAY 3 WITTON ALBION 2
Tuesday 22nd September
Whitley produced one of the shock results for which the FA Cup is famed with a thoroughly deserved victory over Northern Premier League side Witton Albion on a memorable evening at Hillheads.
Despite their near 200 mile trip from Cheshire, Witton, who play two divisions above Whitley in the non-league pyramid, came in to the game as strong favourites, all the more so after Whitley’s dismal showing in the FA Vase three days earlier.
However, the display by Tony Fawcett and Derek Forrest’s side was in marked contrast to that of Saturday, with fast attacking football and every player performing at the top of their game.
There were several changes to the starting eleven, with goalkeeper Chris Bannon coming in for his first appearance since returning to Hillheads in the summer, Liam Gillesphey also making his return debut while Scott Jasper and Matty Weirs were also brought into the side.
Whitley could hardly have made a better start, attacking from the first whistle and with just over two minutes played, Weirs was brought down a yard outside the box in front of goal. Set piece specialist Jamie Dunn stepped up to fire the free kick over the defensive wall and high into the net beyond the reach of keeper Renshaw to put Whitley in front.
Witton drew level in similar circumstances nine minutes later following what appeared to be a harshly awarded free kick just outside the Whitley box. The resultant fiercely struck free kick from Will Jones rocketed into the top corner of the net giving Bannon no chance.
Having settled into the game, the visitors seemed to be getting the better of the decisions with a series of free kicks going their way but chances continued to be created at both ends, Jasper bursting through only to be denied by a timely tackle. With 28 minutes played, Mark Robinson, typifying the energy and determination on show by Whitley, made a tremendous run from midfield, shrugging off several challenges before unleashing a shot that flew just inches beyond the far post. Five minutes later, Lewis Orrell’s cross from the right was intercepted by former Everton keeper Renshaw just ahead of the onrushing Weirs.
Witton were very much in the game and enjoyed a strong spell late in the half but the Bay defence held firm under pressure, Lowery heading clear from a dangerous free kick and blocking another attempt. A cross into the box from Weirs saw Robinson’s looping header held by Renshaw as an entertaining and evenly matched half ended all square.
The Cheshire side began the second period strongly but eight minutes after the restart Whitley regained the lead when Robinson crossed from the left and the unmarked Lewis Orrell gleefully smashed the ball into the net from ten yards. Just past the hour mark, Witton were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the Whitley penalty area but this time Jones struck his shot high over the bar.
The decisive moment of the game came with 67 minutes played when Witton midfielder Danny McKenna handled the ball almost on his goal line. It was an inevitable red card offence and gave Whitley a penalty which Jamie Dunn confidently dispatched. Now leading 3-1 and with their opponents down to ten men for the final quarter of the game, Whitley and their fans could sense victory and two minutes later they so nearly added a fourth, Mark Robinson going close, while Richie Coulson saw a shot blocked four minutes later.
With 15 minutes left, Adam Shanks replaced Scott Jasper and within 90 seconds should really have put the game beyond Witton, running clear of a dispirited defence but hitting Coulson’s through ball over the bar when facing an open goal.
The visitors threw everyone forward in a desperate late bid to rescue the game and they were rewarded five minutes from time when Josh Wardle headed home to silence the home crowd. It led to a tense finale but Whitley held out for the five minutes of added time before celebrating a famous victory and receiving a well deserved rapturous ovation from the fans.
*This was the 11th time the sides have met, twice before in the FA Cup and the other occasions in Whitley’s Northern Premier League days and it was the first time that Whitley had come out on top!
WHITLEY BAY: Bannon, Lowery(Colquhoun 88mins), Dunn, Hennis, Hamilton, Gillesphey, Orrell(J Weirs 82mins), Robinson, Jasper(Shanks 75mins), M Weirs, Coulson
Substitutes not used: Taylor, Thompson
Cautions: Dunn, Shanks
Attendance: 253
Referee: Adam Nichol
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