WHITLEY BAY 2 EASINGTON COLLIERY 1
Saturday 26th September 2026
Report by Harry Salkeld
After securing our first home win of the season on Tuesday, the Bay were back at Hillheads as they aimed to carry on that momentum. Our opponents for the afternoon, Easington Colliery, came into the game unbeaten for almost a month and sat 2nd place in the league. It was clearly going to be a hard encounter for the Bay, however hope was high in the Hillheads air, after a superb second half against Whickham midweek.
Whitley included Max Storey, newly signed from Heaton Stannington, in the starting eleven.
It didn’t take long for the away side to demonstrate their threat as Liam Adamson had a one-on-one effort denied by Mauro, within the first minute. Shortly after, Adamson had another go at goal as his second effort of the afternoon sailed over the bar from close range.
The Bay’s first effort eventually came in the 25th minute as Mauro’s long ball went through the entire Easington backline, sending Magalhaes goal bound and in similar vein to Adamson, he skied the effort, much to his frustration.
The Bay’s momentum continued to grow as Mackenzie Sharpe’s free kick flew just over the bar, near the half hour mark. Minutes later, on his debut, Max Storey forced Easington keeper, James Hopkinson into a far post save after a well drilled effort. Storey was impressing on his debut as he was giving the Bay fans plenty to be excited about with his dazzling footwork and tenacity.
A quiet half seen both teams head into the break with the deadlock yet to be broken. If Tuesday’s game was anything to go by, the second half would surely entertain more.
It didn’t take long for the Bay to have their first chance of the second half as Mackenzie Sharpe headed over the bar from close range, after a dangerous cross was played in. Minutes later, Magalhaes pierced an effort down the heart of the Easington goal which Hopkinson managed to collect, despite the considerable power behind the shot.
The best chance of the half then came as Sharpe managed to round the keeper, setting up Max Storey with the goal at his mercy. Unfortunately, the debutant didn’t read the pass as he mishit the attempt, frustrating the majority within Hillheads Park.
The Bay could sense a goal after their early array of chances in the second half, and it was the cometh the hour, cometh the man for the Bay. After a period of applied pressure, the ball was headed to Spencer Ashcroft on the edge of the area. On the half volley, Ashcroft managed to drill an effort into the bottom right corner, leaving the keeper helpless as it rippled the back of the net. It was an immense piece of skill to connect with the ball in the manner he did and it provided what many felt was a well-deserved lead for the home side.
After the goal, Nathan Nkunku came on for Alfie Livermore, and the substitute didn’t take long to make an impact. Nkunku out-muscled, out-skilled and out-paced Easington’s left back; however, the holy trinity of football wasn’t enough as Hopkinson denied his eventual effort which was targeted towards the bottom left corner.
The visitors eventually reacted as Brad Hird had their first effort of the second period, as his one-on-one effort dragged wide of the far post. With minutes left on the clock the visitors had no choice but to throw everything at a potential equaliser.
In the 89th minute, a scramble in the box involving multiple players resulted in the ball landing to Easington substitute, Luke Pearn, who managed to loop a header over the crowd and eventually Mauro, putting the tie back in the balance, with little time on the clock. The Easington fans near the dugout were making their voices and thoughts heard after that goal as the players mirrored their raucous celebrations.
Added time had officially commenced and with time ticking, the game was there for the taking for both sides. In the 92nd minute, Magalhaes burst into a counter-attack down the right. After a well worked routine the Bay’s number seven managed to unleash a shot into the bottom left corner sending the crowd beyond wild. A pint went flying, Mauro ran the full length to join in with celebrations, and the fans were still jubilantly ecstatic minutes later. Without a doubt some of the best ‘limbs’ Hillheads has seen in recent years considering the context of the goal.
An absolutely incredible moment was eventually rewarded with a full-time whistle minutes later, granting the Bay all three deserved points. Two polarising halves of football, similar to that of Tuesday, meant fans witnessed a Hillheads chaotic classic. Back-to-back home wins and up to 13th in the league. A much-needed week which puts our season well and truly back on track.
We now have two away games to contend with before playing back at Hillheads Park on the 10th of October. Thank you for your incredible support in a game where the fans presence was certainly felt throughout.
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, J. Storey, Power, Heywood, Chapman(Achuo, 90+2'), Scott [C], Magalhaes, Ashcroft, Sharpe, M. Storey, Livermore (Nkunku, 64')
Substitutes not used: Clark, Errington
Caution: Power
Referee: Robert Cowen
Attendance: 454
Man of the match: Spencer Ashcroft
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720335835891
