NEWTON AYCLIFFE 3 WHITLEY BAY 0
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 17th August 2024
Report by Julian Tyley
Newton Aycliffe made their higher league status count as they ended Whitley’s FA Cup hopes with a comfortable victory at Moore Lane. This a venue where over the years Bay sides have rarely come out on top and so it proved once again.
Defensive errors at key stages of the game proved costly and although Whitley battled away to the final whistle, they rarely troubled a physically strong home side who gave little away at the back.
Whitley brought in defender Michael Scott for his debut following injury, while George Brady dropped to the bench.
Unlike the atmosphere created by the near 1000 fans at Beverley in the previous round, this was a much more subdued affair with a surprisingly sparse attendance.
For the first few minutes, there was a similar feel to the game, with neither side threatening and play mostly in midfield.
That changed in the seventh minute when Aycliffe won a corner on the right. The ball was played deep by Ferguson to the back of the box, where Pascoe got above the Bay defence and headed it back across goal where the unmarked Jake Petitjean poked the ball home into the corner of the net from close range.
The muted celebrations from the hosts almost suggested they feared the goal might be disallowed. From a Whitley perspective it was certainly a disappointing goal to concede with defenders failing to deal with the corner.
Play settled down to a midfield encounter and the next chance did not arrive until the 20th minute when a cross from the Aycliffe left was headed behind by Joe Robson. The corner that followed saw Elgie’s effort go wide of the target.
Aycliffe were having the greater share of possession without any end product and it looked like Whitley would go in at the break just the one goal behind and with everything still to play for.
Unfortunately that changed in the final seconds of added on time. Dan Gladstone raced out of his goal aiming to clear a long ball played forward by Aycliffe towards the edge of the Whitley box. However, he misjudged the flight of the ball and with two other players, one from either side, also looking to win the it, the keeper’s attempted clearance only went a short distance, reaching Aycliffe striker Dean Thexton who calmly lobbed the ball into an unguarded net.
There was barely time to restart the game before the half time whistle was blown leaving Whitley to troop off two goals down and with a major task on their hands.
When the game resumed after the interval the home side looked determined to get a third goal and seal victory as soon as possible and Gladstone had to stay strong and on his feet when the hosts broke through on goal in the 53rd minute with the Bay keeper making a good block.
Whitley’s attacking had been limited and when they did look to break through, strong tackling kept them out. This was the case in the 58th minute when Thompson played Kanda almost through but he was given no time on the ball and a determined challenge robbed him the opportunity to test Mafzari in the home goal.
Two minutes later Callum Larmouth appeared to be through on goal but just mistimed his run and was caught offside.
In the 64th minute, an attack by Aycliffe saw Thexton get in a shot on goal. Gladstone made the save but could only push the ball back out and skipper Ethan Wood rifled the ball back into the net.
There was no way back now and both sides made a series of substitutions and formation changes which resulted in Whitley creating a couple of late chances.
Forster who had been pushed forward and Matty Griggs both brought fine saves from Mafzari as Whitley tried to break their recent goalscoring drought but the Northern Premier League East Division side held firm to earn their place in the next round.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Stewart(Donaghey 81mins), Christie, Forster, Robson, Scott(Higgins 81mins), Larmouth(Brady 71mins), Kanda, Storr(Griggs 64mins), Thompson, Cockburn(Wilson 64mins)
Cautions: None
Attendance: 166
Referee: Timothy Craig
