TOW LAW TOWN 0 WHITLEY BAY 4
Saturday 2nd November 2024
Report by Julian Tyley
Callum Larmouth was Whitley’s hero in this game, celebrating his birthday with a hat trick in a resounding victory at Tow Law.
It was an impressive display by Jay Bates’ side but the contest was not as one sided as the score might suggest, with the Lawyers producing a battling performance which belied their lowly position in the League.
Both sides had been involved in surprise results last week, with Whitley’s winning run ended by a lone goal defeat to Penrith while Tow Law recorded a stunning 6-1 win at West Allotment.
With their confidence boosted by that success, the Lawyers started well on what was a grey autumn afternoon, with the majority of possession and pushing Whitley back into defence, but without seriously troubling Dan Gladstone in the Bay goal.
It took Whitley until the quarter hour to make any impact and their first chance came following good approach work when Mikel Thompson delivered a low cross from the right which was cleared from almost off the line.
A shot from distance by Larmouth was not far off target with 25 minutes played, but he was shortly to prove more accurate and put Whitley in control of proceedings.
On the half hour, a long ball over the top from George Brady caught out the home defence as Larmouth raced through and from just inside the right edge of the box he unleashed a shot across goal into the far bottom corner of the net to put Whitley ahead.
Now well into their stride they continued to press forward, with Alfa Djalo twice going close in rapid succession. With 35 minutes on the clock, his attempt from no more than four yards was blocked by a defender then 60 seconds later he burst through and this time his shot crashed off the inside of the post, rebounding agonisingly across goal and just beyond the far upright.
Moments later with the pressure continuing to mount, Tow Law were penalised for a foul just outside the box. Larmouth stepped up to take the free kick and with unerring accuracy he drilled the ball through the home defence into the net to give Whitley a two goal lead which they comfortably retained until the interval.
Whatever was said in the home dressing room during the interval had an effect as the Lawyers began the second period with much more purpose, forcing Whitley back into their own half. Within a minute, a low ball across the goalmouth only needed a finishing touch but there was no home player in a position to capitalise. The hosts continued to try and find a way back into the game but they were met with resolute defending and Gladstone dealt effectively with high balls into the goalmouth.
In a quick break downfield on the hour mark, Thompson made a darting run which took him right through to the edge of the box where he delivered a shot which clipped the top of the bar.
Three minutes later, Mackenzie Sharpe sent a glancing header from substitute Liam Beeston’s free kick low across goal but keeper Tom Orton got down to make the save.
Just past the midway point of the half, Whitley made the game safe when they won a free kick not far outside the left edge of the box and Larmouth’s goalbound shot took a deflection off a defender and flew beyond Orton into the net to complete a well-deserved hat trick.
With his job done for the day, Larmouth was replaced by Thomas Wilson as Whitley made full use of their strong substitutes’ bench.
To their credit, Tow Law did not give up and continued to look for a way back into the game and with 13 minutes remaining, Gladstone made a great block, while in the closing stages the entire defence put their bodies on the line to repel a series of shots and ensure a clean sheet.
The icing on the cake came in the final minute when Kyle Cockburn crossed from up on the left side of the sloping pitch leaving Sharpe with a simple tap in for the fourth goal and send the travelling Bay fans home happy with a well-earned three points.
WHITLEY BAY Gladstone, Brady(Beeston 61mins), Christie, Forster, Scott, Robson, Larmouth(Wilson 71mins) Stewart, Sharpe, Thompson(Griggs 68mins) Djalo(Cockburn 61mins)
Substitute not used: Crawford
Cautions: None
Referee: Harvey Websdale
Attendance: 75
Photos:http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720321679690
