WHITLEY BAY 1 NEWCASTLE BLUE STAR 1
Tuesday 24th September 2024
Report by Harry Salkeld
After penalty shootout heartbreak at the weekend, the Bay were back at Hillheads Park looking to continue their impressive home form. Our opponents, Newcastle Blue Star, came into this game with super-sonic form. They hadn’t lost a league game since the 27th of August and had won their previous three games.
The game started with the Bay playing lovely football and putting the visitors defence on the back-foot. In the 6th minute, the Bay had a sequence of efforts ultimately leading to the golden reward. It all started with Thomas Wilson who went on a dazzling run past two Blue Star defenders before having a shot at goal. Ex-Bay player, Dan Lister, then parried the ball giving Kanda an opportunity at the rebound which Lister, once again, saved. The ball then found its way over to the corner flag leading many in Hillheads to think the attack was over. However, a gem of a delicately placed cross was played towards Forster who glanced a header towards the far post giving the Bay a deserved one goal advantage. Just as you thought the Bay hadn’t capitalised on their chances, they finally did in what many referred to last night as ‘Bay-zil’ style.
The Bay’s press from the front nearly paid off once again as Larmouth shimmied past two players setting himself up for a shot from range. However, the shot flashed just wide of the near post, causing Lister problems due to the sheer pace on the effort.
The Bay’s liquid football continued as they played one touch, two touch football mixed with an abundance of runs and passes. It was as if they were playing FIFA, and the visitors didn’t know how to deal with it.
In the 20th minute, Thompson played a cross towards Larmouth, whose attempt was poked just wide of the post.
The game slowly morphed into one played in the centre on the pitch. Both teams were battling for the ball in this unthreatening area and no real chances were being conjured.
In the 37th minute, Gladstone had to pull off a brilliant save to deny a volleyed attempt from the edge of the box after a mistake from Robbie Christie.
Minutes later, Blue Star won a penalty after Osiyemi was pulled to the ground as he ran with the ball down the by-line. Up stepped Sean Reid whose penalty was superbly saved by Gladstone. However Reid’s desire to mop up the scraps was greater than the Bay players as he put the ball into the back of the net just before the interval.
Despite the Bay, undeniably, playing better and more aesthetically pleasing football, they did go into the break level with the away side.
Early in the second half, Wilson had a shot flash over the bar, raising a few fans out of their seats. As the half progressed, Thompson had a couple shots, one which was deflected wide and the other flying over the bar.
Very much like the end of the first half, no chances were being created and the game eventually ended 1-1. The first twenty minutes was a real contrast to the rest of the game. The opening minutes were extremely entertaining with some beautiful football being played and a high press which added a very different dynamic to the game.
Thank you to everyone who came to support the lads, your support is greatly appreciated. We are now unbeaten in our last four home games, and we will be looking to continue that great run as we take on Heaton Stannington on Tuesday. That game is in the Northumberland Senior Cup and your support would be greatly appreciated. Forget your Newcastle vs Wimbledon plans, The Bay vs The Stan is where the action is at! HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Christie, Forster, Stewart, Scott, Donaghey(Parker 56mins), Kanda, Larmouth, Thompson, Wilson
Subs not used: Crawford, Higgins, Baxter, Parkinson
Cautions: Forster
Attendance: 309
Bay Fencing and Landscaping Man of the Match: Michael Scott
Referee: Kevin McKitterick
