Whitley completed their pre-season fixtures with closely contested games at Heaton Stannington and Birtley Town. Tuesday night's friendly was played in warm sunshine at Heaton and in a first half of few chances, Whitley's best opportunity came in the 39th minute when Adam Shanks played the ball through to Richard Coulson who was caught offside when well placed. After a goalless first half Whitley took the lead after 64 minutes when substitute Jason Chanayire headed home at the back post after Coulson's excellent cross from the left wing eluded former Bay keeper Tom Flynn. The hosts responded in spectacular style seven minutes later when a free kick from fully 25 yards crashed into the net off the inside of the post. Both sides had chances to win the game but a draw was a fair outcome of a well contested fixture.
On Friday, Birtley Town provided the opposition in a hastily arranged game after the planned match at Seaton Delaval was cancelled by the home side. Birtley were quickly on the attack forcing a double save from Dan Lister. Matty Weirs had two good chances for Whitley before brother Jon opened the scoring when his shot took a deflection and flew past the home keeper to give Whitley the lead just past the half hour. One of several triallists in the Bay side lost possession six minutes later and the hosts capitalised as a good low cross was put into the net from close range. Jamie Dunn went close with a free kick but the sides remained level at half time. Six minutes after the break Birtley took the lead when a header cannoned off the post and beat the efforts of Chris Bannon to keep it out. Whitley drew level after 72 minutes when one of the triallists slotted the ball home after good build up play. Whitley briefly got on top searching for a winner but were frustrated by several questionable offside decisions by the assistant. Kieran Brannen had a shot bravely saved by the keeper at close range before Birtley broke away and after a defensive error, the ball was slotted past the onrushing Bannon to give the hosts a 3-2 victory with a last minute winner. In stoppage time Whitley might have snatched a third goal but were denied by excellent goalkeeping. In the end Whitley paid for failing to capitalise on the many chances they created.
