Interview by Julian Tyley
Whitley’s Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against Easington Colliery on Saturday was a game that provided plenty of entertainment for the fans with Whitley earning a replay after a 3-3 draw in which they were reduced to ten men for more than half of the contest.
Fans will remember that recent games at Easington have seen controversial incidents where Whitley have had players sent off. Manager Jay Bates explained that he had spoken to the players in depth for about a minute before the game about what to expect.
However, Mackenzie Sharpe, having put Whitley ahead with two excellent goals, became involved in an off the ball incident and was sent off with more than half the game remaining.
“Mackenzie scored two good goals and obviously said sorry to the lads afterwards, but if you wanted to pick a game of football to go and watch on a Saturday that was probably the one because I think it had everything. I think we matched them with ten men in the second half. It had everything but that’s what we were expecting.”
The score was 2-2 at half time but Jay explained “They scored an early goal three or four minutes into the second half and it felt so quiet. I thought how can we get the lift from the lads? But they just had a release of energy, pressed everything, worked hard, there were stand out performances not just on the ball but off the ball as well, Nathan, he worked so hard, Luca the shift he’s put in.
“They’re a lively squad, Easington. You know what you’re going to get, they’re physical and going to be battlers and that’s what they want to bring you to, their kind of game and long, chasing balls. We knew that, so to come away with 3-3 after going down to ten men after 35 minutes was outstanding from the lads.
Looking back on the first half, Jay commented “After our first goal I didn’t think they really caused us a lot of problems for the next 30 minutes. We created a lot of chances from free kicks they were giving away and a lot that they were getting as well.
“All game we had opportunities, we had a lot of crosses into the box, a lot of free kicks around the area. We deserved the third equalising goal and then from there I thought if anyone, we were going to win but then for the last five minutes they came on strong again. I think they had a couple of opportunities again from our mistakes but that happens when you’re down to ten men and you’re gambling still and you want to win the game.”
With injuries in the later stages Jay explained “If you look at it, it’s like shuffling a deck of cards and people are going into different positions and you’re putting one man from left back to midfield and putting a centre half at left back. It was just adapting what we’ve got available at the minute.”
Reflecting on Easington’s three goals he added “their first was a mistake. Graham Williams started but was carrying an injury and he just couldn’t clear the ball. It fell to their lad and Preston should have saved it but he’s new to the group so we’ll give him that one. He got better, and he’s done a couple of good saves so it is what it is.
“We scored three good goals so we’ll take that confidence after not scoring for the last two games.
“We got back to what we’ve done down at Shildon, we grafted for each other; we’ve had a bit of heart and desire. We showed our camaraderie and we kept going to the end. In the last two games I think we’ve been over ran. We’ve had words about that so we brought ourselves together today and put that performance in.”
There was a turn out of over 400 at Hillheads and thanking the fans for their support Jay concluded “If you put entertaining football on like that they should be coming back every week.”
