WHITLEY BAY 2 SHILDON 0
Saturday 13th September 2025
Match report by Harry Salkeld
After a late win at Carlisle last Friday night, the Bay were back in town to play the only other unbeaten team in the league, Shildon. Only two changes were made to the side that won that Friday night game at 3-2, as Christie and Williams were replaced by Errington and Forster.
The first chance of the game fell to the opposition as Nathan Greenwood’s effort was denied by Asikaogu, a sign of things to come from the Bay’s number one. However, the Bay didn’t take long to respond with their first chance of the game as Kanda had an effort denied at the keepers near post, after some fantastic build-up play with Sharpe.
The high-quality tempo of the game remained but there wasn’t a real chance until the 22nd minute. Former Bay player, Ardelean, smashed an effort off the near post before falling to Ben Reay. His effort looked destined for the goal, yet fortunately it wasn’t powerful enough as Asikaogu scrambled his way back to the line to collect the ball. About seven minutes later, Shildon came close to scoring once again as a headed attempt, which came from a corner was magnificently saved by the Bay’s number one. It was honestly one of the best saves I’ve ever seen, and it wasn’t even going to be the best save of the game in the end!
After riding their luck, it was Whitley Bay’s turn to have an opportunity at goal as Jake Forster smashed an effort just over the bar which got many in Hillheads off their seat.
Minutes later, the half-time whistle capped off a compelling half which saw both teams play exciting football. Despite having a similar number of chances, it was Shildon that rued their missed opportunities with a greater aggrievance as they made their way down the tunnel. Jon Weirs and Adam Lennox, of Shildon, were dictating the game for the majority of the half, but there were positive signs that the Bay were starting to stifle them by the end of the half.
After the fifteen-minute break, the lads were back out to continue their highly competitive spectacle, hopefully this time with the addition of some goals for those in blue and white.
Chances were few and far between in the first ten minutes or so, but Campbell came close after the Bay burst on the counter-attack. His effort, aimed for the bottom left corner, was saved by the Shildon goalkeeper. Fortunately, minutes later Larmouth took a page out of Campbell’s book as an almost carbon copy of the previous shot’s only difference was that this one speared into the back of the net, sending Hillheads wild. It wasn’t just the Bay faithful in the crowd that enjoyed the satisfying finish, as Asikaogu excitedly ran to the half-way line fist pumping the air in joy.
Shildon’s game plan unsurprisingly changed as they went ultra attacking, pummelling balls into the box. In the 61st minute, Asikaogu somehow made a better save than the one he made earlier in the second half as Ardelean’s point blank header was magically saved low down near the line. Phenomenal reflexes led to gasps across all four corners of the ground and then after shock manifested into joyful realisation, applause rung around.
As a result of the Shildon pressure, Jay Bates made a defensive yet tactical change to his team as striker, Mackenzie Sharpe, was replaced by a more defensively minded midfielder, Luca Shilling, who made his Hillheads debut.
The gaffer’s changes clearly paid dividends as not long later, in the 69th minute, the Bay’s advantage was doubled as Campbell found himself one-on-one with a defender, toying him left and right, the smashing the ball into the top left corner which received an even more raucous reaction than the first goal of the afternoon. However, this goal didn’t lead to a different reaction from Asikaogu, as he sprinted to the centre circle with the giddy excitement of a child on Christmas morning.
After the goal and the presumed safety of a two-goal deficit, the Bay then started to drop into a lower block of defence. It wasn’t necessarily out of choice but more predominantly because Shildon had no choice to do anything but attack. In the 77th minute, Ardelean had another golden opportunity which smashed off the post, leaving him in a state of frustration. A familiar feeling for him on Hillheads soil.
After a couple of substitutions by both sides and some chances for the Bay to grow the advantage even more, the full-time whistle was met gleefully by everyone in attendance, Multiple, vocal Shildon fans, left before they could hear the referee’s closing ceremony.
It was another fantastic performance, result and clean sheet for the Bay, which saw them retain their place at the summit. Our lead at the top is currently four points above Horden CW in 2nd and we have a phenomenal +20 GD, as well as now being the only unbeaten team in the league. The Bay play Guisborough Town away next and then have an FA Vase game to contend with at home on Saturday.
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Thompson (Achuo 86mins), Aplin, Forster, Errington, Stewart, Campbell, Kanda, Sharpe(Shilling 65mins), Larmouth, Livermore
Substitutes not used: Higgins, Lees, Harvey
Referee: Callum Black
Cautions: Forster, Sharpe
Attendance : 409
Bay Fencing North East Ltd Man of the Match : Mauro Asikaogu
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720329035794
