WHITLEY BAY 0 BLYTH TOWN 0
Saturday 14th December 2024
Report by Harry Salkeld
After a cup win against Prudhoe and an eleven-day break, the Bay were back at Hillheads to play high-flying Blyth Town, who came into this game sitting 2nd in the league table. However, our coastal rivals’ recent form before the game had been very poor as they had won only one in their last six in all competitions.
The game started with the Bay dominating the ball, stringing their signature one-twos across the pitch and putting their opponents on the back-foot. Blyth Town hardly touched the ball in their own half, let alone the Bay’s, during the opening 5-10 minutes but the Bay weren’t conjuring any meaningful chances.
Despite Bay pressure and dominance with the ball, the Bay’s inability to create chances was nearly penalised as Adam Johnson had a shot denied by Gladstone’s right foot. Outstanding, fully committed tackles, were flying in from Bay players such as Kanda, winning the ball high up the pitch. However, tensions were rising as a result of the Blyth fans, never shy to voice their discontent, thinking they deserved free kicks.
In the 15th minute the deadlock seemed to have been broken as Djalo fizzed a ball into the area. Djalo’s cross was met by a miskick from a Blyth defender which spun towards his keeper. However, the keeper had problems as Forster rose for the ball which he knocked into the back of the net. However the referee believed that Forster fouled the keeper as he rose for the ball, so the goal was ruled out and play quickly resumed.
The disallowed goal gave Blyth a much-needed wakeup call as they started to enjoy more of the ball, especially down the Bay’s right-hand side. Blyth left-back, Evan Fogarty, went on a darting run through the centre. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half as the sides went into the interval without breaking the deadlock.
The second half started in the same vein as how the first ended, with minimal chances being created. In the 52nd minute, George Brady had a free-kick effort which was comfortably saved by the Blyth keeper. In the 56th minute, Jay Bates looked to his bench for inspiration as Lucas Lowery, just signed from Whickham and Mikel Thompson replaced Kyle Cockburn and Luke Parkinson.
Minutes later and Djalo came on for Regan Paterson. Soon after, Liam Henderson had a golden opportunity for the visitors, but his left-footed attempt flew into the car park, much to his vocal fans’ frustration.
Blyth continued to apply pressure on the Bay defence as Gladstone was called into action on a well worked set piece. A cross was played towards Brandon Slater whose headed attempt was brilliantly saved by the Bay’s number one.
Substitute, Regan Paterson was denied twice within seven minutes as his one-on-one efforts were too weak to cause Lewis Baker any real problems.
It was then the visitors turn to have the best chances, but just like the Bay, they failed to take any of them.
Despite both teams’ best efforts, the final whistle blew, and the points were shared with Blyth moving top of the table. Scoreline aside, it was a very exciting game with fantastic tackles and great chances for both sides to take all three points.
The Bay will be back at Hillheads over the festive period as we play on both Boxing Day and the 28th of December so make sure to come along and support the lads. HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Parkinson(Lowery 56mins) Parker, Scott, Robson, Djalo(Paterson 60mims),Kanda, Forster(Wilson 90mins), Larmouth, Cockburn(Thompson 56mins)
Substitute not used: Crawford
Caution: Larmouth
Referee: Evan Culling
Bay Fencing & Landscaping man of the match : Michael Scott
Attendance 301
