Battling Bay so close to glory

EMIRATES FA CUP 2^nd QUALIFYING ROUND

WHITLEY BAY 2 BLYTH SPARTANS 4

Saturday 3^rd October

This eagerly awaited local derby looked as if it might produce one of the shock results for which the FA Cup is famous when Whitley were leading 2-1 with just over ten minutes to go but after playing for more than half the game with ten men, they eventually succumbed as Blyth scored three times in just six minutes to ensure their progression to the next round.

This game had just about everything, six goals, three penalties, a sending off which resulted in a on-field player wearing the goalkeeper’s jersey for the last 50 minutes and the players having to contend with torrential rain throughout the game.

All that was missing, apart from the victory the home supporters had craved, was the bumper crowd which would in normal times have packed Hillheads Park, with current restrictions allowing just 150 fans to watch the drama.

This was Blyth’s first competitive game of a much delayed National League North season and they fielded eight debutants, while for Whitley, club captain Craig McFarlane returned to the side and defenders Jamie Dunn and Darren Hamilton had recovered from injuries sustained in midweek.

Thanks to the hard work of the ground staff, the pitch though very wet was in perfectly playable condition and Whitley, playing into the face of the wind and rain, made a dream start, taking a shock lead inside the sixth minute. McFarlane played the ball up the right touchline to Richard Coulson, whose cross into the goalmouth was fumbled by keeper Brendan Pearson and Lewis Orrell pounced to slot the ball home. Six minutes later another attack saw Whitley go close again when Orrell’s shot from Robinson’s corner was deflected over the bar.

Two minutes later, Blyth were back in the game when Blackett was tripped in the box by Hamilton and Scott Heslop equalised from the penalty spot.

Whitley responded well and two minutes later McFarlane attacked down the right before being fouled near the right corner flag. Mark Robinson’s free kick was met by Luke Taylor who rose above the Spartans defence to send a header not far over the bar.

Both sides were creating chances and it took a good save from Lister to keep out a strong shot from Thomson. Another effort from the visitors then whistled across the face of goal and beyond the far post.

Just past the half hour, a great cross field ball from Robinson played McFarlane clear on the right but his shot lacked power and was comfortably saved by Pearson. Back at the other end, good defensive play by Hamilton prevented a corner but in the 38^th minute came a key moment of the game when Lister raced off his line to clear a ball over the top but as the speedy Blackett ran on to take the ball clear, the young Bay keeper handled it outside the area and was shown a red card. With no other keeper named on the bench, striker Adam Shanks pulled on the keeper’s jersey and his first task was to face a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, which was safely defended. His first work of note came just before the interval when he comfortably saved a narrow angle shot from Blackett.

All square at the break, Whitley were facing an uphill task in the second half but they started promisingly with Matty Weirs unfortunate to be caught just offside from a well placed through ball. A mistimed tackle by Coulson just outside the Blyth box earned him a caution as Whitley pushed forward. Ten minutes into the half an excellent ball down the left wing by Jamie Dunn found Weirs who played it to Coulson who found space on the left edge of the box before firing in a low cross which Pearson failed to hold. The ball rebounded across an open goal where Robinson side footed it into the net from six yards to put ten man Bay back in front.

Blyth had a great chance to draw level three minutes later but a shot across goal drifted just past the far post.

Rather than sit back in defence, Whitley continued to push forward playing some excellent passing football with Robinson in particular prominent in midfield.

Midway through the half, Shanks, who was being superbly protected by his defence, made a good save at his near post from Evans. McFarlane, who was playing only his second game of the season, was replaced by Gillesphey for the final 20 minutes as Whitley continued to defy the odds but Blyth were beginning to push them back as they searched for a second equaliser. Lowery repeatedly thwarted attacks down the Blyth left and with the minutes ticking away, it began to look as if Whitley might pull off a remarkable victory. A second substitution saw Weirs replace by Michael Colquhoun but only a minute later, the pace of Blackett, Blyth’s most dangerous front man proved crucial as he raced into the left of the Whitley box but was caught by Hamilton and the referee awarded a penalty. Shanks guessed correctly but could not keep out Heslop’s spot kick. Two minutes later Blyth went in front for the first time in the game, when Blackett finally got the goal his play merited with a shot that Shanks got his hands to but although he pushed the ball in the air, it looped over him and rolled into the net.

Quite understandably, Whitley’s ten men were now tiring and a late challenge on the Blyth right by Jamie Dunn earned him a caution. Mr Bancroft pointed to the spot for a third time, although it appeared that the foul had been committed outside the box and Blyth skipper Heslop completed a hat trick of penalties with a confidently taken kick to put his side 4-2 ahead. The game had turned dramatically in the space of six minutes, ending Whitley’s hopes of an upset. Indeed, Blyth might have added a fifth goal soon after when Blackett rounded Shanks but put his shot into the side netting. Substitute Scott Jasper got a header on target late on as Whitley battled to the end. Blyth had eventually capitalised on their man advantage but Whitley could hold their heads high after more than matching a side three divisions above them for all but the closing stages. Every Bay player had given their all and they deservedly received a tremendous ovation as they left the field after the final whistle.

WHITLEY BAY: Lister, McFarlane(Gillesphey 71mins), Dunn, Lowery, Hamilton, Taylor, Orrell(Jasper 87mins), Robinson, Shanks, M Weirs(Colquhoun 78mins) Coulson

Substitutes not used: Hennis, Thompson, Wilson

Cautions; Coulson, Dunn. Sent off: Lister

Referee: James Bancroft

Attendance:150