PENRITH 2 WHITLEY BAY 3
Tuesday 5th August 2025
Report by Julian Tyley
The midweek trip to Penrith proved successful for Whitley as they scored twice in the last 15 minutes to claim a well-deserved victory.
It was another high scoring game, making the long journey for players and fans well worthwhile as the Bay continued their unbeaten start to the Northern League season.
On a fine but breezy evening it was the home side that created the first chance with an opportunist strike from captain Luke Brown, a lob from almost on the halfway line but Asikaogu just managed to get back and palm the ball round the post.
With ten minutes played, Robbie Christie went even closer for Whitley with a shot from the left of the box crashing off the post before Layton Campbell drove the rebound into the side netting.
Five minutes later, Meeshi Kanda tested Randall with a powerful drive that the keeper fisted away following a left wing corner.
A mistake by Whitley led to the opening goal for Penrith shortly before the half hour. A misplaced pass by Campbell in midfield saw the ball played out to the right beyond the reach of Kanda leaving Luke Hunter with a clear run on goal and he fired the ball home from just inside the box.
Aplin’s free kick not long after was pushed over the bar by Randall before Hammell drilled a shot just over the bar at the other end.
Mackenzie Sharpe, making his first appearance of the season after returning from suspension was unfortunate to see his shot drift inches wide of the far post with Randall helpless, and at the interval, the hosts held a one goal lead.
Early in the second half, Callum Larmouth twice went close, a free kick rippling the side netting before a strong shot took a deflection and landed kindly for Penrith in the keeper’s arms.
Looking the better side since the interval, Whitley deservedly drew level in the 58th minute with a tremendous goal by Campbell. After the hosts put a shot over the bar, Whitley broke forward and a great Crossfield ball from Errington found Campbell out near the right byline. Racing clear of his marker, he burst forward to the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful shot that beat the keeper at his near post.
Nine minutes later the Cumbrians regained their lead with a rare attack. The ball bobbled around the Bay six yard box with attempts repelled but Brown poked home when a rebound fell into his path.
A chance for the hosts to seal victory came and went when a header was just off target then with 16 minutes to go, Whitley made a double substitution, bringing on Graham Williams and Henry Harvey in place of Christie and Scott.
Just over a minute later, Larmouth went down in the box under a challenge from McKenna. The referee immediately pointed to the spot despite protestations from the tall defender.
Larmouth sent the keeper the wrong way with the penalty kick and for the second time in the game, Whitley had drawn level.
Four minutes later they turned the game on its head when Stewart made an excellent run down the right, laid the ball off to Campbell who cut inside before rifling a stunning left foot shot across goal and into the net.
Campbell then almost seized on a weak back pass but to the keeper’s relief, the ball ran into touch. A volley from Hunter was not far wide of the right post then back at the other end Larmouth was caught just offside some 25 yards from goal.
Despite a few anxious moments, Whitley avoided a repeat of the stoppage time equaliser at Blue Star and held on to claim their first victory of the season, and briefly, at least, go third in the fledgling Northern League table.
With 19 goals scored in their first three league games, all away from home, it is certainly entertaining watching Whitley Bay!
The first home league game of the season is on Saturday when current leaders Newcastle Benfield are the visitors to Hillheads.
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Stewart, Christie(Harvey 74mins), Kanda, Scott(Williams 74mins), Errington, Larmouth, Aplin(Achuo 88mins), Sharpe(Forster 63mins) Thompson, Campbell
Substitute not used: McCarthy
Cautions: Christie, Aplin, Achuo
Referee: Michael Studholme
Attendance: 161
