NEWCASTLE FLOORING NORTHUMBERLAND SENIOR CUP FINAL
HEATON STANNINGTON 1 WHITLEY BAY 1
Whitley Bay won 6-5 on penalties
Tuesday 5th May 2026
Report by Harry Salkeld
The day Bay fans have had marked in their calendar for weeks finally arrived. The Northumberland Senior Cup Final against Heaton Stannington was on the horizon and what better venue than the Cathedral on the Hill. A ground which has hosted iconic greats, tremendous tacticians and club football’s biggest competition was to be the temporary home for 22 privileged players for the next 90 minutes. Within the last year, Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal and Virgil Van Dijk have all stepped out onto the home of North-East football; now it was time for Mackenzie Sharpe, Alfie Livermore and Michael Scott to do the same. The Whitley Bay eleven saw one change from the side that lost against West Auckland as Jack Errington replaced Luca Shilling, as the other players cemented their spot.
The stands were flooding with fans, a sea of blue and white was to be seen in all four directions as well as deafening chants from the ‘Stan Ultras’ who had claimed their territory at the top of the East Stand. The time had come and kick-off was just seconds away as the players walked out to a rapture of applause and a continuation of chants. It was an atmosphere Jose Mourinho would have been proud of as he once said about St James Park ‘it’s beautiful playing here… It’s an extraordinary atmosphere’. After all the pre match preparation, it was time to put it into action as the referee blew his whistle for the encounter to commence.
The Bay had the first attempt of the final as Alfie Livermore had a strike, which caused minimal issues, within the first minute. Callum Larmouth didn’t take long to quite literally stamp his name on the game as his successful slide tackle resulted in his studs clattering a billboard after winning the ball! Such an early sign of intent certainly served as a catalyst for the team’s eventual performance.
The first chance of vast significance came from our talisman, Mackenzie Sharpe, as he was gifted the ball on the edge of the box, however the resulting effort proved too tame for Lewis Brass. Our opponents had their first recorded strike soon after as a long-range effort sailed over the woodwork.
In the 19th minute, the Bay showed real signs of taking the game to their higher level opponents as Sharpe beat his man for pace which resulted in a deflected shot, securing the first corner of the game. That corner saw Errington have a headed attempt go marginally over the crossbar, to the frustration of the Bay faithful.
Heaton Stannington started to gain more opportunities in the game as JJ Chrisp had a volleyed attempt crash over Mauro Asikaogu’s goal. A possession-based passage of play, where chances were at low, unfolded for the next ten minutes until Stan top goalscorer, Dale Pearson smashed a free-kick towards the Bay’s number one. Thankfully, in true Mauro fashion and style, he palmed away the effort, and the quick-fire rebound was also unsuccessful, triggering celebrations from Bay fans who thought the deadlock may have just been broken.
What soon came was certainly the best passage of play from the Bay as intricate link up play between Sharpe and Mikel Thompson activated an array of shots close to the goal line which were all blocked despite a contentious handball incident.
Heaton enjoyed the end of the first half as a curling effort went just wide of the back post and later, a one-on-one effort from Connor Walker, which looked destined for goal, was miraculously stopped by Mauro’s outstretched leg. It was such an incredible save that surrounding Stan fans could be heard cheering at what they thought was the opener.
That vital contribution from the Bay’s number one was the last moment of significance in the first half as the interval begun. After tactical messages from Jay Bates and Dean Nicholson, the two teams came out the tunnel for the second half of an already compelling final. Jay Bates made one change at half-time as Nathan Nkunku replaced Callum Larmouth, a change that would certainly bear fruit.
The Cup holders set the tempo at the beginning of the second period as Konner Lamb flashed a shot wide of the near post. The pressure was quickly mounting on the Bay backline as Mauro was called into action, pulling off another dynamic, reflex save. Unfortunately, the rebound from Alexander Payne was elegantly placed into the bottom left corner, affording the Bay with no chance of denying the attempt.
The Bay had no choice but to respond if they wanted to be Champions at the end of the night. Livermore, who continued to be a nuisance to the Stan backline, had another attempt added to his collection for the night, however it was met with the familiar outcome of a block for a corner. Could the Bay finally capitalise on one of these corners?
Kieran Aplin took the corner, this time, with an exceptionally unique style. He smartly played the corner across the deck all the way towards the Bay’s towering midfielder, Mechack Kanda, who smashed an effort from about 12 yards out. The effort was blocked and after a brief scramble, the ball fortunately fell to the feet of Nkunku who showcased his composure with a neat finish into the back of the net. Bay fans jumped out their seats as Nkunku wheeled off towards the corner flag in celebration. It was a first class response from the Bay which epitomised the character of their performance so far.
It was now time for the Bay to continue their impressive performance as the pressure and significance was hitting an all-time high. For the first time during the game, the Bay defence was surprisingly cut open by a deadly through ball towards Pearson. Stan’s number 9 took one touch to compose himself, but the finish was the antithesis of that flair, as it flew over the bar, resulting in large exhales from Bay supporters and gasps of shock from those in black and white.
That slight warning sprung the Bay back into action as Nkunku set up Livermore, from a central area, as he drilled a shot towards the bottom left corner. The shot looked in all the way, almost inevitable that it would bulge the net, yet Brass rejected the attempt.
What transpired next was a dazzling Josh Stewart solo run as he beat multiple players causing the eventual cross to be flicked just wide of the goal by Sharpe.
Kanda was clearly in awe of Stewart’s previous actions as he tried to replicate his astonishing dribbling. Past one, past two, past three; it was as if Allan Saint-Maximin had found his way back home at St James Park with the level of skill on display. Unfortunately, the unwanted outcome of a Heaton player blocking the attempt, at the very death, transpired.
The Bay were really starting to take the game by the scruff of the neck, a real testament to the team they are, considering they had something to protect on the scoreline front. Liquid passages of play were unfolding on the edge of the Stan penalty area as the holders couldn’t get to grips with the Bay’s tenacity.
With the clock slowly ticking towards the conclusion of the game, Sharpe had a left footed attempt go awry. Whilst enjoying this exhibition of chances, the Bay were staying resolute as a unit out of possession; a considerable factor in why multiple players were suffering from cramp.
The fourth official indicated five minutes of added time as the possibility of a penalty shootout was looming. Perseverance was the message as the Bay held out for a draw despite late Stannington pressure. Penalties it was and for loyal Bay supporters, they knew this was going to be far from easy considering our recent penalty shootout record.
The Bay would get proceedings underway as Graham Williams stepped up to take the first penalty. A penalty spot in which the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history has bagged from was presenting the same opportunity to Williams. With almost uncanny similarity, Williams scored in similar vein to Alan Shearer.
Leighton Hopper was the player to take the initial responsibility for Heaton as he calmly placed the ball past Mauro. A presentation of perfect penalties was then on offer as the next six penalties were all scored, the Bay players who showed their nerve being: Thompson, Achuo and Sharpe.
Goalscorer, Nathan Nkunku was next as we had officially hit sudden death status. The man who put the final back in the balance was disappointingly read like a book by Brass who dived the correct way instantly, batting the effort away.
All eyes were on Mauro and penalty taker; Andy Burn, as the final was in the palm of his hand. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium as the fate of the game could be confirmed any second. Cheers were suddenly heard, this time from Whitley Bay fans as Mauro prevailed and denied Burn from 12 yards out.
As a result, the shootout continued as Scott McCarthy and JJ Chrisp both succeeded from the spot, adding more tension to an already captivating shootout.
Bay captain, Michael Scott then took the responsibility from 12 yards out as he buried his attempt despite slipping in the process!
Mauro Asikaogu vs Joe Robson in front of the Gallowgate, with over 52,000 seats looming upon them, over 3,000 pairs of eyes locked on the pair of them. Could this be it? Would the Bay win their first Senior Cup in 16 years? Robson creeped towards the ball and struck it with venom but not enough accuracy as Mauro dived the right way, denied the effort and revelled in his moment as his teammates sprinted towards him with Cup heroes’ status.
The underdogs had done it! Whitley Bay won the Northumberland Senior Cup for the first time since 2010 with Mauro writing the headlines. Having said that, everyone was fantastic on the night; blood, sweat and tears from every Bay player were shown in a performance which encapsulated their team spirit. After the Bay players showed their appreciation to the travelling fans, it was finally trophy time. Michael Scott lifted the trophy as the Bay players revelled and roistered on St James’ turf with the fans in full voice alongside them. What a journey it has been; two goal of the season contenders against West Allotment, a win against local rivals in the quarters, an away day to remember in the semis at Benfield and now being crowned victorious at St James Park.
A monumental way to end a memorable season. Thank you to everyone who came to support the lads, it was immense. The noise throughout the game was palpable, especially when the Bay were in possession, creating an even greater dynamic to the game and eventual outcome. Northumberland Senior Cup Champions!!! HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Errington(Shilling 65mins), Aplin(Achuo 77mins), Stewart, Scott, Williams, Larmouth (Nkunku 46mins) Kanda, Sharpe, Thompson, Livermore)McCarthy 80mins)
Substitute not used: Lees
Caution: Larmouth
Referee: Nick Vincent
Attendance: 3289
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720333525799
