Bay’s fine form continues

WHITLEY BAY       2          CONSETT     1

Saturday 1^st April

Whitley’s excellent run of form continued on Saturday with a hard fought victory over Consett, a result which saw them leapfrog the Steelmen and move up to seventh place in the table. The win was all the more creditable as Marc Nash was unable to call on two of his most influential players with Callum Patton suspended and Alex Kempster on holiday.

Consett created the first chance of the game in the ninth minute when Michael Sweet broke through on goal but despite pressure from Callum Anderson got a shot on target which Tom Flynn saved with his feet, deflecting the ball behind for a corner. Three minutes later there was a lengthy delay following a bad foul on Aiden Haley by Lewis Teasdale, the Consett man being fortunate to escape with only a caution while Haley needed treatment and had to be replaced shortly afterwards by David Hall who was making his first appearance since December. In another robust challenge the visitors had defender Jake Stafford cautioned for bringing down Kyle Patton in full flight just outside the 18 yard box.

With 26 minutes played, a Consett corner nearly brought the opening goal when the ball appeared to be cleared off the line by one of their own players before going wide of the goal.

Both sides were creating opportunities now and Whitley capitalised in the 32^nd minute when Thibault Charmey won the ball just outside the penalty area and advanced into the box before firing a perfect low shot beyond the reach of Consett keeper Ross Coombe to put Whitley in front. Three minutes later Tom Potter evaded his marker and cut in from the right but appeared to lose his balance and was unable to test the keeper.

With half time approaching, Tom Flynn produced a superb double save from Lewis Teasdale, his second effort when he was on the ground particularly outstanding to keep out what looked a certain goal. The save kept Whitley in front and was the main talking point among fans of both sides at the interval.

Five minutes into the second half Potter was played clear but Coombe did well to save the shot with his feet. Consett were having more of the possession with more of the play in the Bay half but the visitors could not break down a stubborn and well organised defence in which Ross Wilkinson and Callum Anderson were impressive.

When Whitley got back on the attack, Peter Glen-Ravenhill got a shot not far off target but then Sullivan fired narrowly wide for Consett.

Whitley got a crucial second goal with 69 minutes played when Potter’s looping cross from the right wing cleared Coombe leaving Kyle Patton with a simple tap in. The two goal cushion did not last long though as Consett pulled a goal back four minutes later when Sweet’s overhead shot from Teasdale’s cross proved too powerful for Flynn who despite getting a hand on the ball could not keep it out.

A poor tackle on Charmey by Matthew Slocombe 15 minutes from time saw the midfielder become the latest Consett player to go into referee Stuart Kyle’s notebook as the visitors pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Chris McDonald made a vital goal line clearance before Flynn made another fine save to deny Sweet. After Consett substitute Danny Craggs had a shot saved, Whitley had the chance to make the game safe when Liam Brooks flicked a high ball forward for Kyle Patton but with the keeper advancing off his line, the youngster’s shot went just the wrong side of the post.

Whitley withstood late pressure and deservedly held on to claim all three points and extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

Not surprisingly after his goalkeeping heroics, Tom Flynn was named h20 Bathrooms man of the match.

WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Gilbey(Keltie 84mins), McDonald, Haley(Hall 20 mins), Anderson, Wilkinson, Potter, Charmey, Robertson(Brooks 80mins), Glen-Ravenhill, K Patton

Substitutes not used: Allen, Byerley

Cautions: K Patton, Flynn

Referee: Stuart Kyle

Attendance: 313