Whitley Bay 0 Penrith 1
Saturday 26th October
Report by Harry Salkeld
One week after battering Birtley, the Bay were back at Hillheads looking to continue their impressive home record. The Bay line-up saw the return of George Brady and Jake Forster as they replaced Mikel Thompson and Ryan Higgins.
Our opponents, Penrith, came into this game with three wins out of their last four as they sat in a similar, mid-table position to us.
The first chance of the game came for the Bay due to beautiful link up between Djalo and Griggs, eventually sending Sharpe, through on goal. However, a fantastic save by Aaran Taylor denied the effort as he rushed out of his goal heroically. Griggs was pulling the strings in the middle of the park as he made beautiful passes to switch up the play, as well as runs with the ball which had the Penrith players minds bamboozled.
As the first half went on, Djalo was starting to find more freedom on the right wing and his first effort of the game was denied in the 15th minute. A first of many efforts to come from the Bay’s number eleven.
No real chances were being conjured for the next fifteen minutes as the Bay were comfortably playing their passing and retention football, putting the Penrith defence on the back foot.
In the 31st minute, the Bay’s best chance of the game so far fell to Griggs who took the ball around the keeper, leaving himself with all the goal to aim at. However, defensive resolution stood firm as the shot, which was sailing for the roof of the net, was denied by the head of a Penrith defender, sending all in Hillheads Park into a sense of shock.
The Bay continued to have all the possession, and the last chance of the half fell to Larmouth who poked his effort just wide of the far post. Despite having all the ball and the chances the Bay went into the break without breaking the deadlock.
The Bay started the second half in the best possible way as Djalo won a penalty after being pulled down in the area, as he intelligently got ball side to force the foul. However, perfection soon turned to heartbreak as Larmouth’s penalty was denied by Taylor’s left arm in the corner of the goal.
Minutes later and the Bay had another opportunity as Sharpe had an array of chances blocked in quick succession. The Bay continued to apply pressure to Penrith’s backline, but the ball was refusing to go into the back of the net.
In 63rd minute, the Bay’s luck went from bad to worse as the opponents first chance of the game fell to Connor Shields who calmly slid the ball past Dan Gladstone.
In the 72nd minute the Bay looked as if they were going to, finally, score but Michael Scott’s headed attempt hit the right-hand post. One minute later and Scott had another effort, this time hitting of the bar. It was just looking like one of those days for the Bay as they were having chance upon chance whilst, also, playing their usual flowing football.
The last five minutes had most in Hillheads Park on the edge of the seat. The Bay pushed and pushed for the leveller, but it never came. A game in which the Bay had all the chances, yet Penrith couldn’t be broken. It really was just ‘one of those days.’ Last week everything went in for us but this week nothing did. That’s football!
Thank you for your support and HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Christie, Forster, Scott, Stewart, Griggs(Cockburn 71mins), Beeston(Robson 55mins), Sharpe, Larmouth, Djalo
Substitutes not used: Higgins, Crawford, Wilson,
Attendance: 481
Referee: Charlie Ford
Cautions: None
Bay Fencing and Landscaping Man of the Match: Michael Scott
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720321537623
