PENRITH 2 WHITLEY BAY 0
Saturday 12th April 2025
Match report by Julian Tyley
Whitley’s final away game of the season ended in a disappointing defeat at Penrith. The Cumbrians had been on a poor run of form but looked lively from the start and produced what home fans described as their best performance for a long time.
With striker Mackenzie Sharpe ruled out through suspension, Alfa Djalo played up front for Whitley. Also back in the starting eleven was Regan Paterson but defender Graham Williams was unavailable.
Inside the third minute, Penrith went close when a shot from Hunter crashed off the underside of the bar with a follow up shot blocked and cleared.
Two minutes later, down at the other end an effort from George Brady was comfortably saved by Penrith keeper Aaran Taylor.
With 20 minutes gone, good approach work by Regan Paterson played in Lucas Lowery whose shot was saved by the feet of Taylor, then shortly afterwards, Forster saw his attempt saved.
Moments later, Kanda’s header from Lowery’s right wing corner tested the keeper who eventually gathered the ball after pushing it away from goal.
Penrith took the lead in the 27th minute when a ball played in from the left found Hunter unmarked 12 yards from goal and he drove the ball into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Dan Gladstone.
Approaching half time Whitley won two corners but first Kanda then Djalo sent headers wide of the target so at the break Penrith retained their narrow lead.
Six minutes after the interval, a clearance played too short put Whitley under pressure but Gladstone did well to block a shot from Hunter.
Just before the hour Whitley’s chances of getting back in the game suffered a blow when Hopper turned inside Scott and fired home giving Gladstone no chance. Two goals ahead, Penrith’s confidence grew while a lack lustre Whitley struggled to make an impact.
Cockburn and Wilson were brought off the bench in an effort to liven up Whitley’s midfield while Jake Forster was moved up front.
Too often, approach play foundered when reaching the final third as the Penrith defence held firm.
There were brief moments of promise when captain Michael Scott saw his goalbound effort deflected over the bar while a glancing header from Forster flew wide of the upright.
Into the final ten minutes, Forster battled his way into the box but his attempt on goal was thwarted as Taylor dived on the ball.
Six minutes from time, a Penrith free kick from Hammell crashed off the post but the hosts had little difficulty in playing out the remainder of the game to claim a well deserved victory.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Christie, Forster, Scott, Stewart, Paterson(Cockburn 55mins), Kanda, Djalo(Wilson 62mins) Larmouth, Lowery
Substitutes not used: Higgins, Parkinson
Cautions: Christie, Scott
Referee: Daniel Hughes
Attendance: 188
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720325078309
