Report by Julian Tyley
Whitley secured all three points against West Auckland thanks to two late goals, in the 81st and 94th minute. Bay manager Jay Bates said that once the equaliser went in he believed his side would go on to claim victory.
“To be honest I could see it coming. I thought when we got the equaliser, for the next ten minutes we would do it. The keeper’s made a great save off Meeshi that would have put us 2-1 ahead and you could see it. The lads were getting closer and closer at every opportunity and it was great to get the winner, unlike on Boxing Day when we conceded in the 96th minute, so it was great to win it in the 94th minute.”
He agreed that playing twice in 48 hours over the festive season was a lot to ask of non-league footballers. “It’s hard on the player. I think each and every one of them worked hard today. It’s a heavy pitch as well. It’s not the very best of conditions. And with personnel, we had a couple missing today so we had to move a few things about and the lads that did play two games in the two days were still outstanding today to be fair. But I had six missing, two with flu, two away and two suspended so it was great to come and get three points against Auckland. I know it’s at home but when we got the equaliser you could really hear the crowd were right behind us. Today I thought that’s the best I’ve heard the crowd since the first game of the season against Whickham when we got the late one to win it.”
After an even first half Whitley were perhaps unlucky to be a goal down, a point that Jay made to the players during the interval. Yes, that’s what I said at half time, it was a bit of a blow. The luck wasn’t on our side. The ball fell to their midfielder and he took it well but four or five times we’ve had the ball in the box. It’s twice fell to Meeshi and his touch was out, but when the luck’s against you the only way you’re going to get out of that is by making your own luck and that’s what we did in the second half.”
The equaliser was down in no small part to the impact made by substitute Kyle Cockburn. “Kyle hit the post and Meeshi’s followed it up and put the rebound in the bottom corner. Not only did he do that, Kyle livened things up. He has got these things in his locker. He just hasn’t been performing well. He knows that and the team know that and when he is on his game he can make a real difference; not just that one. I think there were three or four balls he put in. He’s crossed one to Meeshi and Meeshi’s glanced a header and I don’t know how the keeper’s made that save, but he has. Every time he got the opportunity Kyle put them on the back foot and he gave us that little bit of energy. I thought also a mention should go to Griggsy (Matty Griggs) another sub. He was calm on the ball and created that little opportunity when we needed it and as you could see he got the free kick at the end for Cal’s winner so the subs certainly did play their part today.”
Callum Larmouth’s free kick went under the West Auckland defensive wall and Jay explained “I think the keeper’s shouted to jump so Cal’s took the initiative and hit it low but you’ve seen that with a couple of free kicks this season he can strike the ball. You’ve seen Cal today and you’ve seen the other side of him. He’s played different positions for us this season, centre mid, he’s played right of the diamond he’s played right wide right and he’s got the goal at the end so he’s played well.”
Luke Parkinson was moved from his normal defensive role into midfield for this game. “Luke has always played left back for me but every Sunday he plays in the middle of the park so he’s got that experience. That’s what we needed in there with a couple of players missing and it was case of how we can field the best team to go out there and perform, so that’s what he had to do today."
The victory saw Whitley climb a point ahead of West Auckland with four games in hand. “They’re a good team West Auckland. It was a good feeling in the dressing room after the game and for us to progress and move up the table we had to win that game today and we did.”
