SUNDERLAND RCA 2 WHITLEY BAY 3
Saturday 26th September
Following their excellent FA Cup victory in midweek, Whitley recorded another outstanding 3-2 success, this time in the league, with Matty Weirs’ late free kick giving them a hard earned but well deserved three points.
This game at a very blustery Meadow Park was an entertaining, action packed affair, with five goals, a penalty saved and a red card. Whitley twice took the lead in the first half with RCA responding quickly with equalisers while after the interval, both sides had chances to claim victory before Weirs settled the game in dramatic style.
Playing up the slope in the first half, Whitley started much the brighter side and in the seventh minute, a cross from the right by Lewis Orrell was headed narrowly wide of the far post by Mark Robinson. Two minutes later Whitley’s pressure paid off when Adam Shanks fired home from the edge of the box, his shot taking a deflection as it flew past keeper Dean and into the net.
Play had largely been confined to the RCA half but four minutes later, in their first attack, the Ryhope side drew level. Former Bay midfielder James Fairley who spent the second half of last season at Hillheads received the ball down the right flank and cut in towards the right edge of the box before unleashing a tremendous shot beyond Bannon and into the far corner of the net. Boosted by their equaliser, RCA came more into the game and another effort went only just wide of the target.
Both sides were creating chances and on the half hour, Scott Lowery headed over from Robinson’s corner before the hosts raced away downfield and after winning a free kick just outside the box, put the Bay defence under pressure but Hamilton made the clearance.
Back came Whitley and in the 34th minute, they regained the lead when Dunn crossed from the right and Jon Weirs played the ball into the path of Shanks who once again found the target from around 12 yards to restore Whitley’s advantage.
As had been the case earlier, Whitley found themselves unable to retain their lead for more than a few minutes and after conceding possession in midfield, Nathan O’Neill broke through to slot home the equaliser in the 37th minute. The action continued with Orrell drilling a strong 20 yard shot wide of goal, to leave the game evenly poised at the interval.
Three minutes after the resumption, Robinson made a crucial goal line clearance as he chested the ball out after a corner was headed on by O’Neill. Shortly afterwards, Liam Gillesphey was injured and had to be helped off, to be replaced by Luke Taylor. Excessively physical challenges including a clumsy trip on Orrell resulted in two cautions in quick succession, which was later to prove costly to the home side. After a shot from Taylor was blocked, play reverted upfield and RCA were awarded a penalty after an infringement in the box. O’Neill stepped up to take the kick but Bannon dived to make a superb save, pushing the ball wide of goal to keep the scores level.
RCA’s long ball policy was being met by a determined Bay defence who were giving little away and came in for praise by the Bay management after the game.
Both sides were pushing for a third goal, Shanks and Orrell both going close for Whitley, while the home side’s greatest threat came from Fairley, whose close control and pace kept his side very much in the game.
With 15 minutes remaining, Best was dismissed after picking up his second yellow card following a rather cynical trip, giving Whitley the advantage going into the closing stages. Substitute Coulson set up an attack down the left wing but his cross into the box was eventually cleared. Hennis then fired in a powerful shot but Dean made a comfortable save. With seven minutes remaining, a misplaced clearance by Bannon fell for Callen who struck a powerful effort goalwards but the Bay keeper redeemed himself with a great fingertip save, pushing the ball over the bar.
With the seconds ticking away, Whitley won a free kick about 20 yards out on the left and Matty Weirs produced a great curling shot that beat the fingertips of Dean as it flew past the keeper and bulged the net, to spark scenes of jubilation among the Bay players and fans. Following his stoppage time tap in for the winner at Bishop Auckland, this was a more dramatic way to earn victory, although the points were not yet secure. Coulson went close to adding a fourth for Whitley but deep into added time Taylor needed to make a vital block to keep out an effort from RCA substitute Watts. Bannon then safely collected a corner played into the Bay goalmouth before the final whistle was blown on an excellent Whitley performance, and a first league defeat of the season for the home side.
WHITLEY BAY: Bannon, Lowery, Dunn, Hennis, Hamilton, Gillesphey(Taylor 53mins), Orrell, Robinson, Shanks(Thompson 79mins), M Weirs, J Weirs(Coulson 72mins)
Substitutes not used: Jasper, Colquhoun
Cautions; Taylor, J Weirs
Attendance: 121
Referee: Jamie Cann
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