A winning start to the new year

Chester-le-Street Town 0 Whitley Bay 4

Tuesday 3^rd January

It was the first day back at work after the Christmas and New Year holidays but the festivities continued for Whitley Bay and their fans as they celebrated a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Chester-le-Street Town on Tuesday evening.

On a blustery night at Chester Moor, Marc Nash gave a debut to defender Tom Gilbey and the Durham University student caught the eye with a very impressive performance. There were few chances in the first quarter of the game as both sides battled the conditions but the contest burst to life in the 27^th minute when Callum Patton crossed low into the goalmouth for younger brother Kyle to slot home from close range. The goal lifted Whitley and eight minutes later Tom Potter’s goalbound shot was put behind by experienced defender Andrew Grant-Soulsby.

Chester-le-Street, struggling at the foot of the table, were rarely a threat in attack and their only real chance of the half came after 38 minutes when Dominic Laws saw his shot deflected into the path of Lee Mole whose attempt on goal flew narrowly wide of the target. Four minutes before the interval, Alex Kempster doubled Whitley’s lead with an excellent solo goal, flicking the ball round Grant-Soulsby on the edge of the penalty area before advancing on keeper Jack Wilson and drilling into the net from ten yards.

The second half saw Whitley in complete control as they created a plethora of chances. Tom Potter tried his luck with a 20 yard shot that Wilson saved well. Alex Kempster, who was a constant threat, was out of luck on several occasions and had the ball in the Chester net after 70 minutes but a late offside flag meant that the goal was ruled out. Another effort from Kempster was deflected wide and from the resulting corner, Ross Wilkinson, on his return from injury powered a header against the woodwork.

With ten minutes remaining Potter played a corner short to Callum Patton who drilled home the third goal with a low shot from 18 yards. Thibault Charmey brought a fine diving save from Wilson five minutes later but the Frenchman had the final say, making it 4-0 with his first goal in Bay colours, tapping home with the last kick of the game following good work from Kempster.

It was a good all-round team performance, albeit against lowly opposition, but Whitley have struggled against some of the lesser sides this season including the Cestrians who were shock winners when the sides met at Hillheads in October. On a good night for the Patton brothers, it was midfielder Callum Patton who earned the man of the match nomination, setting up the first goal and scoring the third. It was a victory that lifted Whitley two places up the table, level on points with Seaham Red Star, who they welcome to Hillheads on Saturday in their first home game of 2017.

WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Gilbey, McDonald, Anderson(Glen-Ravenhill 68mins) Wilkinson, Allen(Keltie 46mins), Potter, C Patton, K Patton(Brooks 83mins), Kempster, Charmey

Substitutes not used: Munro, McCarthy

Referee: Stephen Dial

Caution: K Patton

Attendance: 105

Match photos here

Manager Marc Nash was upbeat after the game and felt it was a much better display than some of those of recent weeks. I was pleased to get back to winning ways and very happy with the performance, especially in the second half. We spoke to the players about how we felt we’d lost our way a bit because we were not retaining possession enough that would allow us to control games a lot more. It was much better in this game and second half it was almost attack v defence for the whole half and we could have had more goals. The manner in which we created chances was very positive with great combinations and movement. I was pleased for young Kyle Patton who has been unlucky not to play but took his chance with an energetic display and deserved his goal. Tom Gilbey was outstanding on his debut and Charmey had his first start and a goal to get him off and running. I think it was great to watch second half and hopefully the fans enjoyed the football being played but we must now build on that performance and result.