Interview by Julian Tyley
A convincing 4-2 victory in the local derby at Blyth Town sent Bay fans home happy after seeing their side record a third win in the space of eight days.
Assistant manager Barry Rizza was delighted with the team’s performance. “Yes, great result, more points on the board, moved us up a couple of places.”
Having been out injured since the beginning of August, Josh Stewart was back in the squad and came off the bench in the closing stages of the game. Barry highlighted his return saying ”It’s great to see Josh coming back into the squad, and great to see a few different people on the scoresheet.”
Nathan Nkunku’s 8th minute goal gave Whitley a rare early lead and as Barry said “It’s been crucial. Earlier on this season we always conceded the first goal. It’s hard when you give teams a head start on you, but today it was a great start. I think we felt slightly unlucky to come in at 1-1 at half time. They had two chances but I think we created more in the first half, but we just came in at half time and said ‘keep doing what you’re doing especially in the final third’. I think there was some great link up play.
“Lennox has got pace. The pitch suited him down to a tee, such a big pitch, it was really wide and there was a lot of space. Fair play to Lennox he’s utilised that, he’s done what we’ve asked him every time he’s got his run at them. I think he got two people a yellow card just because they couldn’t really deal with him, so it was great for the young lad to get two goals
“Like anything when you get a bit of momentum you’ve got to run with it. I think with few of our injuries some people might have panicked but it was just a matter of getting the squad together and getting the boys back to fitness. It’s like building a jigsaw isn’t it?
“You cant buy confidence. “Winning breeds a winning mentality so we’ve just got to run with it, keep the momentum going. Thursday we’ll be in for recovery and we go again Saturday.”
Absent from the Bay side was striker and top scorer Mackenzie Sharpe and as Barry commented, “It’s very satisfying to do this without Mackenzie. The lad works night and day shifts so wasn’t available, but that’s part of why we’ve got a squad. Nathan’s come in, got a goal and it may be hard to leave him out on Saturday.”
Whitley are on their travels again this weekend with a trip to west County Durham to take on Crook Town, whose home form is particularly good. “Crook over the years I’ve never found an easy game, especially away. They always work hard for each other. To be fair I don’t think there’s any easy game in this league, so let’s go again Saturday. I can’t wait to get to the next game.”
