WHITLEY BAY 3 SHILDON 0
Saturday 1st February 2025
Match report by Julian Tyley
Whitley produced what many would consider their best performance of the season to convincingly defeat high flying Shildon in an entertaining contest. The Railwaymen, just three points off the top of the table, arrived at Hillheads in tremendous form, unbeaten in their previous 13 games, which included 12 victories.
Whitley’s 5-0 win at bottom side Seaham last week was obviously a confidence booster but this game was always going to provide a tough test and Jay Bates’ side passed with flying colours.
Preparations for the game suffered a blow during the pre-match warm up when Joe Robson pulled up injured and had to be replaced in the starting eleven by Luke Parkinson.
Shildon opted to attack the allotment end in the first half on a bright and sunny afternoon in front of a near 400 crowd which included a good away following.
Whitley started brightly and inside the first ten minutes forced two corners in quick succession without seriously testing former Bay keeper Andrew Jennison. When play switched to the other end, Dan Gladstone made a good save from a close range effort. The visitors then broke through but failed to capitalise, firing well over the bar.
Midway through the half, a good run down the right by Lucas Lowery ended with the youngster bringing a good save from Jennison.
Four minutes later, a Shildon free kick was played to the back post where a header was comfortably saved low down by Gladstone.
Kyle Cockburn then went close for Whitley with a shot that just cleared the bar. Cockburn was instrumental in Whitley taking the lead six minutes before half time, playing a long ball down the left to Alfa Djalo, who was tripped as he advanced into the box by Thomas Price. There were few complaints by the Railwaymen when referee Richard Goodman awarded a penalty. Callum Larmouth confidently despatched the spot kick, sending Jennison the wrong way to put Whitley in front.
On the stroke of half time, Shildon nearly drew level when a corner was deflected towards goal and it took Parkinson’s header off the underside of the bar to keep the ball out of the net.
Whitley began the second half strongly with George Brady twice going close.
A goal out of nothing in the 51st minute put Whitley in command of the game. A goal kick by Jennison was won in the centre of midfield by Meeshi Kanda who slipped the ball to Larmouth in the centre circle. The Bay top scorer then advanced a few steps before unleashing a shot from fully 30 yards which appeared to catch Jennison by surprise as it flew low into the left corner of the net.
Shildon were clearly shaken by this second goal and battled to get back in the game but found the Bay midfielders and defenders resolute. Michael Scott won balls in the air while Kanda typified the determination of the whole team with a crucial and perfectly timed challenge to win the ball just as the visitors looked certain to score.
Moments later, on the hour mark, Whitley added a third goal, capitalising on hesitation in the Shildon defence. A long kick upfield by Gladstone was allowed to bounce and Djalo was quick to sense his opportunity, getting his toe to the ball to poke it beyond Price and Jennison who had raced to the edge of his box to try and win the ball. It left Djalo with the simple task of knocking the ball into the empty net to give Whitley a three goal lead.
Little more than two minutes later, Larmouth was denied a hat trick by Jennison’s feet as Whitley pushed forward once more.
Substitute Regan Paterson, with fresh legs, then burst down the right and crossed to Kanda whose attempt on goal was blocked.
Shildon had little alternative but to push more players forward in an attempt to get back in the game but this left space for Whitley to attack and create further opportunities.
Ten minutes from time, Scott made a great clearance as Whitley battled to keep a clean sheet for the second successive week. They were in luck when a shot from Harris struck the bar, bounced down almost onto the line before being cleared to safety.
Two minutes from time, Larmouth drove a low ball across the face of goal and past the far post, then in stoppage time, Lowery put the ball in the Shildon net from close range but the goal was ruled offside.
This was a day when every man in a Bay shirt gave 100% effort and at the final whistle they received a well-deserved ovation from the Bay fans.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Stewart, Brady, Forster, Scott, Parkinson(Parker 66mins), Djalo(Wilson 74mins), Kanda, Larmouth, Lowery, Cockburn(Paterson 63mins)
Substitute not used: Crawford
Referee: Richard Goodman
Attendance: 383
Bay Fencing & Landscaping Man of the Match: Callum Larmouth
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720323575748
