SHILDON 1 WHITLEY BAY 0
Saturday 5th April 2025
Report by Julian Tyley
A single first half goal proved sufficient to give title chasing Shildon all three points in a closely contested game at a sunny Dean Street.
The home side, sitting second in the table, went into the game on a tremendous run of form, beaten just once in their previous 25 outings, with that defeat coming at Hillheads at the beginning of February.
The Railwaymen were understandably looking for revenge after that surprise 3-0 defeat but Whitley made them work hard for their victory which kept them in with a chance of winning the League, having already guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs.
Whitley named the same starting eleven that earned an impressive victory at Crook seven days earlier but Shildon were missing the injured former Bay favourite Elliott Day. However the home side still had two ex-Whitley players in their line-up, captain Jon Weirs and goalkeeper Andy Jennison.
Whitley created the first chance inside the sixth minute when Jake Forster’s shot from the right side of the box beat Jennison but crashed off the post and away from danger.
Continuing to press forward, when they attacked down the right wing, Lucas Lowery was bundled to the ground just as he was about to break clear but play was allowed to continue.
With 15 minutes played, Whitley were penalised for an infringement just outside the left edge of their penalty area and when Greenwood took the free kick, the ball was allowed to creep just inside the near post with Gladstone not getting a hand on the ball until it was too late.
It was a poor goal to concede and ten minutes later, the game looked to be slipping away when Shildon were awarded a penalty for what looked like a dubious foul. However, Gladstone made amends for his earlier misjudgement with an excellent diving save to push the spot kick from Adam Lennox wide of the post.
The hosts were looking the better side and were frustrated when they were denied what appeared to be a stronger claim for a penalty than the one that had been given earlier but that apart, neither team created any further chances so Shildon retained their narrow advantage at the interval.
Whitley began to pose more of a threat in the second half and after ten minutes, good approach work by Larmouth and Sharpe set up a chance for Kanda but his shot failed to trouble Jennison. Pushing the hosts back, Whitley forced two corners in quick succession and although solid defending averted the immediate danger, Larmouth eventually got a sight of goal but his shot was gathered by Jennison.
When Jay Bates made his first substitution of the afternoon, Josh Stewart made a welcome return to action following injury and was soon in the action pushing forward from midfield.
Shildon looked increasingly content to sit on their lead and defend in depth to thwart Whitley and strong physical defending was proving effective.
Whitley tried to stretch the home side down both flanks but crosses into the box were dealt with effectively.
There were some nervous moments for the home fans as Whitley continued to press forward in search of an equaliser. Perhaps the best opportunity came following a foul just outside the left edge of the Shildon box 11 minutes from time, but Larmouth struck the free kick beyond the far post.
Immediately after the final whistle there was an incident involving Sharpe and the home dugout which resulted in a red card for the Bay striker.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Christie(Parkinson 85mins), Forster, Williams(Djalo 73mins), Scott, Paterson(Stewart 64mins), Kanda, Sharpe, Larmouth, Lowery(Wilson 85mins)
Substitute not used: Crawford
Cautions: Gladstone, Brady. Sent off Sharpe
Referee: Lewis Hardy
Attendance: 270
Match photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720324896692
