Whitley will play their second semi final of the week on Saturday when they face West Auckland Town at Hillheads in the Northern League First Division Play-off semi final.
Whitley finished the league season in third place with West Auckland three points behind in fourth. The sides met at Hillheads just two weeks ago when the visitors scored a late goal to claim a 1-0 victory in a game where Bay keeper Mauro Asikaogu was forced off the pitch with a hand injury. Fortunately the injury was not as severe as first feared and he was able to take his place in the side that defeated Newcastle Benfield on Tuesday night to secure a place in the Final at St James' Park.
This will be the fourth time the sides have met this season, with both games in County Durham going the way of West Auckland, so Whitley will be hoping to turn the tables in this encounter.
West Auckland have had the better of games between the sides in recent years but last season Whitley scored two late goals to earn a 2-1 victory at Hillheads when they met a few days after Christmas.
This is the first time that Whitley have featured in the play-offs and it has been by far their best season for many years. At the start of the campaign manager Jay Bates, who led the club to 9th place last time around, said his aim was to reach the play-offs this season and with that target achieved, he along with assistant Barry Rizza and coach Gary Somerville will be hoping to go a stage further and earn promotion.
Looking forward to Saturday's game Jay told us “We know a lot about West Auckland, we’ve played them three times and we’ve got beat three times, so they’ll be coming on Saturday looking to upset us again, but Whitley will be better this time, we’ll be better on Saturday."
There was an excellent turn out of Bay fans at Newcastle Benfield in midweek, including a growing number of enthusiastic younger supporters. Whitley will be hoping for even greater numbers backing them on Saturday.
If the scores remain level after 90 minutes, the game will be decided on penalties, with the winners going forward to the play-off final either away to Shildon or at home to Boro Rangers the following Saturday.
The Northern League has determined admission arrangements for this game and prices will be £8 for Adults, £5 for Concessions Over 65 and £2 for Under 16's. NO season tickets or League passes will be accepted and it will be pay at the turnstiles, by cash or card, for all spectators. To help reduce the queues, please have the correct change if paying by cash and arrive in plenty of time.
The clubhouse will be open from 12.00 midday.
