A third friendly victory

Victory over Bridgewater extended Whitley’s good pre-season run but next Saturday’s game against Lincoln United has been cancelled by the visitors, leaving Whitley looking for new opponents.

Andy Robertson bagged a hat trick as Whitley recorded a 3-1 victory over Glasgow side Bridgewater on Saturday. In an entertaining first half, Whitley took the lead after 25 minutes, but Bridgewater proved tough opponents and they levelled with a penalty just after half time but two goals in the last 20 minutes earned Bay the victory.
Whitley started well and after just six minutes Kyle Fryatt broke away but saw his shot saved by Martin Fitzsimmons. Two minutes later the keeper pushed an effort from Adam Shanks over the bar but Bridgewater quickly responded with Scott Paterson’s first time shot arrowing towards goal before Tom Flynn palmed the ball clear.
The visitors were growing into the game and midway through the half Paul Gordon was narrowly off target, his powerful shot just clearing the bar.
Whitley went ahead in the 25th minute when Andy Robertson neatly lobbed the ball over Fitzsimmons from close range. Shanks then had a shot deflected past the post for a corner but their efforts to increase the lead were thwarted by a strong and well organised Bridgewater defence.
Both sides made a number of changes at half time and eight minutes after the restart, Whitley were penalised for a push inside the box and Gordon slotted home the penalty to level the scores. David Berry almost restored Whitley’s lead in the 61st minute with a free kick that clipped the angle of bar and post but Berry’s contribution to the game proved crucial 12 minutes later when his accurate through ball set up Robertson who drove the ball low under the keeper to put Whitley back in front. The Scottish side were tiring and Whitley were comfortably on top with Robertson going close several times, while Chris McDonald brought a fine save from Fitzsimmons late on. The final goal came in added time when Kempster played Robertson clear and his confident finish made the final score 3-1.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Gibson, McDonald, Wilkinson, Anderson, Blake, Fryatt, Fowler, Shanks, Patton, Robertson.
Second half substitutes: Callum Munro, Alex Kempster, Aiden Haley, David Berry
Referee: Paul Brown. Attendance: 178