ISUZU FA VASE 1st ROUND
WHITLEY BAY 0 BARTON TOWN 0
Barton Town won 4-3 on penalties
Saturday 18th October 2025
Report by Harry Salkeld
After advancing to the next round of the Northumberland Senior Cup in midweek, the Bay’s focus swiftly changed to the FA Vase playing Barton Town at Hillheads Park. No changes were made to the starting eleven that beat West Allotment, but Christie and Shilling returned to the matchday squad after minor injury issues.
The game started with the Bay showing the early signs of pressure as crosses from the likes of Josh Stewart and Callum Larmouth failed to reach a Bay player. Despite these glimpses from the Bay, the first proper chance of the game fell to the Swans as Stephens had a header denied by the diving Mauro Asikaogu.
In the 11th minute, Mikel Thompson’s magical footwork created space for him in the penalty area but after all his hard work, the Bay’s number seven couldn’t open up his body in time to release an effort as his feet were tangled together.
In the 13th minute, the Bay received a free kick in shooting range, but Larmouth’s effort sailed way over the bar to his frustration. Minutes later, a lovely passage of play unfolded between Livermore and Stewart, but their liquid move led to a cross stretching too far off the reaching Mackenzie Sharpe.
In the 20th minute, the travelling side had a heaven sent opportunity as Asikaogu came off his line, which forced a headed clearance from Williams and then an eventual save from Asikaogu, who scrambled back to his line to deny Stafford’s rebound which looked destined for goal. That passage of play gave the Swans confidence as the future minutes that unfolded consisted of the Bay struggling to get out their half and the away side enjoying plenty of the ball.
Fortunately, the Bay were able to manage their struggles and survive without conceding and in the 28th minute they nearly took the lead after Sharpe’s header, which resulted from an Aplin free kick, flew just over the bar.
The game’s fast paced nature continued as a minute later Stephens had a near post attempt flash wide of the Whitley Bay goal. In the 37th minute, Kanda’s fantastic footwork and unmatched physicality led to an effort in the penalty area which was blocked by a Barton defender who flew in to deny the shot.
In the dying embers of the first half, Asikaogu made another blockbuster save, and the rapid rebound fortunately amounted to nothing. After that late first half scare, the whistle to indicate the half-time interval was blown.
After the break, the Bay did make a change in the hope their latest struggles would come to an abrupt end as Luca Shilling came on for Alfie Livermore.
It took time for the second half to conjure up any real excitement as the first chance of the half occurred in the 58th minute when Mackenzie Sharpe’s one on one attempt was denied by goalkeeper, Dixon-Brown. Minutes later, the chances fell on the side of the visitors as Aydemir curled an effort towards goal, but Asikaogu was there once again to keep his clean sheet hopes alive.
Chances for both sides continued to flow as Kanda dragged one wide in the 12 yard box as he completely mishit what was a great opportunity. In the 73rd minute, Asikaogu was called into action to stop another header towards his net and not long later more drama would unfold…
In the 79th minute, the Bay won a free kick from dangerous, shooting range which resulted in a red card for the opponent’s number five, Fraser Papprill for a second yellow card. However, it appeared that the player’s dismissal was due to dissent instead of the foul that was committed. After Papprill left the field of play and the Barton complaints died down, Larmouth stepped up to take the set-piece, but he smashed it just wide of the top right corner as gasps rang around the ground.
You could tell it was a cup game and that penalties were on the horizon as both sides were giving everything, they had left in the tank in order to avoid the dreaded shootout. In the 85th minute, the best chance of the game occurred as Kanda got on the end of a Stewart cross, but he somehow headed a golden opportunity over the crossbar.
The Bay’s final opportunity to avoid a penalty shootout came in added time as Michael Scott’s header dragged wide of the bottom right corner after Shilling delivered in a peach of a ball.
After that last chance to snatch the win, penalties were how the tie would be decided. The Bay have crashed out of the FA Vase on penalties in the last three seasons so everyone involved with the club was praying for the curse to end.
Up stepped Barton first, and Buttle would take it. Few steps back, few steps forward and Mauro Asikaogu, who had been phenomenal all game, denied the first penalty of the shootout as he dived to his right. Those behind the Bay game were in delirium but full focus was now on Mackenzie Sharpe who smashed his penalty into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Bay!
Barton got their first goal of the shootout to tie the proceedings and then it was time for Aplin to take his spot kick. However, Aplin’s narrow run up caused him to drag his penalty wide of the goal. The shootout was now back in the balance.
Both sides converted their next two penalties, Williams and Thompson scoring for Whitley, leaving the shootout score at 3-3. Up stepped Stafford for the travellers who converted a very good penalty. All the pressure was on Callum Larmouth’s shoulders as he placed the ball down on the spot, took deep breaths and prepared to take a game defining penalty. However, the Bay’s FA Vase story ended in the same fashion as the previous three years as Larmouth’s penalty flew out the ground.
It was a horrible yet familiar feeling and unfortunately the aftermath of the game got heated and spiralled out of control leading to red cards and unhappy people from both camps.
Despite the frustrating result, Whitley need to look forward to future games and that starts with another home game against Kendal Town this Saturday. It will be a tough game between two of the best teams in the league so far this season.
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Stewart, Aplin, Forster, Scott, Williams, Thompson, Kanda, Sharpe, Larmouth, Livermore (Shilling 46mins)
Substitutes not used: Harvey, Christie, Lees, Achuo
Cautions: Larmouth, Williams (Red card)
Bay Fencing North East Ltd Man of the Match: Josh Stewart
Referee: Christian Ndubuisi
Attendance: 441
