A rare goal less draw but a good point

WHITLEY BAY 0 WHICKHAM 0
Saturday 21st September

Whitley played out a rare goal less draw against Whickham on a sunny but blustery afternoon at Hillheads. The last time they featured in a 0-0 game was a League Cup tie in January 2018 but that was eventually decided on penalties. Their last 0-0 in a league was back in December 2016 at Newcastle Benfield.
Despite the lack of goals, it was not a dull affair as there was plenty of entertainment and Whitley could certainly take some positives from the game.
Already without key defenders Craig McFarlane and Callum Anderson, Whitley were dealt another blow shortly before kick off when Tom Graham, an ever present in the side this season, suffered an injury and had to withdraw from the pre-match warm-up. Goalkeeper Dan Lister was back in the side while Luke Taylor, who scored twice as a substitute in midweek, was handed his first start of the season. Connor Smith, who played in midfield in his four previous outings, was moved into defence, a role he filled admirably.
Having started slowly in several recent games, Whitley began in positive fashion, despite playing into the wind, and looked the better side in the early stages without creating any real chances until the 16th minute when Lee Kerr fired wide of goal. Three minutes later Mark Robinson made a good run down the left but a timely challenge by Clark Kay prevented him getting a shot on goal. Craig Spooner brought a save from Connell but Whickham gradually came more into the game, making better use of the conditions to peg Whitley back in their own half. A header from Robson was comfortably saved by Lister after 35 minutes before a Bay attack briefly caused confusion in the Whickham goalmouth.
The closest either side came to scoring in the first half came in the 43rd minute when Dale Burrell’s effort was cleared off the line by Taylor.
Six minutes after the restart, Taylor came close to giving Whitley the lead, heading Connor Smith’s free kick inches wide of the back post. Shortly afterwards, Scott Lowery was injured and was replaced by Luke Salmon, who was soon in action to head another attempt from Robson off the line. Whickham pushed forward and a fine run from Tom Howard ended with a powerful shot that Lister saved comfortably.
Brad Hird went close five minutes later and his attempt was followed almost immediately by a good crossfield ball to Salmon who cut in but saw his shot hit the side netting.
Both sides were searching for the opening goal that increasingly looked as if it would be enough to win the contest but both goalkeepers made crucial saves as the game entered the final ten minutes. Lister denied Chad Collins with nine minutes remaining but in the 83rd minute, it looked as if Whitley would finally make the breakthrough when substitute Adam Shanks found space after good work by Spooner but his goalbound effort was bravely kept out by the legs of Connell.
With the game into stoppage time, Bulford’s shot brought an excellent save from Lister before Hird was not far off target at the other end.
In the end a draw was probably a fair result as both defences held firm, with Luke Taylor deservedly taking man of the match honours for Whitley. Despite the several changes they looked assured at the back and substitute Tom Bramley gave a good account of himself when coming off the bench for his first appearance of the season. It was their first clean sheet of the season, an encouraging outcome after conceding ten goals in their previous three outings.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Smith, Bexton, Lowery(Salmon 55mins), Kerr, Taylor(Bramley 77mins), Spooner, Orrell, Hird, Stephenson(Shanks 69mins), Robinson
Substitute not used: Hubery
Cautions; None
Referee: Craig Dean
Attendance: 317