EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
WHITLEY BAY 0 HEATON STANNINGTON 1
SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST 2025
Report by Julian Tyley
Whitley will feel they deserved at least a replay after having much the better of this hard fought FA Cup tie which was decided by a single goal, scored inside the first ten minutes.
Local rivals Heaton Stannington, now playing in the Northern Premier League East Division, one level higher than Whitley, came into the game as favourites but despite making the perfect start, they were on the backfoot for lengthy periods as Whitley posed the greater threat but crucially, without being able to capitalise on the chances they created.
On a very warm and sunny summer’s afternoon, there was an excellent crowd of almost 800 fans in Hillheads, making for a great atmosphere.
Prior to kick off, the anticipation of an exciting FA Cup tie gave way to a sombre tone as the tragic passing of 13 year old Edie Smart, a member of Whitley Bay Juniors was marked with an impeccably observed minute silence.
When the game got underway with Whitley sporting a brand new kit, the visitors looked the more lively in the opening stages and with just over eight minutes on the clock, confusion between Bay skipper Michael Scott and keeper Mauro Asikaogu let in Dale Pearson, a summer signing from Dunston, who showed all his experience as he calmly lobbed the ball over the keeper from the edge of the box and into the net.
Stung by this setback, Whitley pushed forward and barely three minutes later a header flashed past the post following Aplin’s corner.
A better chance came on the quarter hour when Christie played the ball forward and Thompson worked his way through the visiting defence but his shot was smothered by keeper Tom Flynn.
Keeping up the pressure, Aplin’s next corner was headed out back to him and his powerful shot across the goalmouth from the right edge of the box was pushed away by Flynn.
The visitors were making little impression going forward and another opportunity came Whitley’s way in the 38th minute but from the edge of the box, Guy Bates could not get a clean contact and Flynn saved with ease.
On the stroke of half time, Bates produced a much better shot from outside the box but once again Flynn kept his side ahead with a fine save.
It was a largely similar story after the interval though Heaton had a period of possession, stifling Whitley’s attacking efforts but without testing the Bay defence.
Young Bay striker Layton Campbell was working hard to make an impact and his cross from the left almost set up a chance for Bates.
A header from Thompson was pushed clear before Campbell produced another good run, playing in Larmouth whose attempt was blocked by Flynn.
With 15 minutes remaining, Scott McCarthy, signed a year ago but out all last season following a major operation, came off the bench for a welcome debut, but was unable to change the course of the game.
Storey fired a shot straight at Asikaogu then ten minutes from time, Heaton might have sealed victory with a header from substitute Adamson but the young Bay keeper fingertipped the ball over the bar.
The second biggest crowd of the 223 FA Cup ties had been kept on their toes throughout the game but hard as they tried, Whitley could not find a way past their former keeper Flynn who was named man of the match and saw his side through to the next round.
Whitley now return to Northern League action with a Tuesday night trip to Cumbria to take on Penrith (7.45pm)
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Stewart, Christie(Harvey 85mins), Scott, Bates(McCarthy 74mins), Errington, Larmouth, Kanda, Campbell, Thompson, Aplin
Substitutes not used: Williams, Colquhoun, Higgins, Achuo
Caution: Larmouth
Referee: Ryan Moore
Attendance: 786
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720328122425/
