WHITLEY BAY 3 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 0
Saturday 27th September 2025
Report by Harry Salkeld
After advancing to the next stage of the FA Vase last weekend, the Bay were back at Hillheads for league action against Northallerton Town. Jay Bates must have been very happy with what he saw against Knaresborough as zero changes were made to the starting eleven and matchday squad.
The game started with very few chances and neither side created anything clear-cut. Most of the play was a result of long balls which led to extended passages of head tennis in the middle of the park. In the 17th minute, Whitley had the first real opportunity of the match as a weak pass back to Northallerton keeper Jacob Crowle, was intercepted by Sharpe. His attempt to dribble around Crowle was denied, to his frustration. Sharpe had another opportunity two minutes later, as his header from a corner went wide of the post.
Unfortunately, chances became few and far between once again until the 40th minute mark when the Bay scored a brilliant but unfortunately disallowed goal, after Sharpe’s offside assist meant Campbell’s unbelievable volley couldn’t stand. Minutes later, and just before halftime, the first shot on target of the game saw a Larmouth free kick comfortably collected by Crowle. A half which saw very few chances was capped off by the half time whistle, giving both managers the opportunity to initiate better organisation and more composure in their team.
Jay Bates’ halftime team talk clearly worked as it was like watching night then day when the lads came out for the second half. In the 49th minute, Sharpe ran into the box, after Larmouth sent him on his way, but was tripped leading to the correct decision of a penalty for the Bay. Up stepped the winner of the penalty, Sharpe, and he smashed the ball into the back of the net to give the Bay the advantage. Not only did we have the scoreline advantage now but also a numerical advantage as Harwood received a red card for what appeared to be some dissent towards the ref.
Despite being down to ten men, Northallerton had no choice but to attack now and Mauro was called into action very quickly after the goal, as he made an impressive save, down low to his right. In the 57th minute, the Bay made a double change as Aplin and Christie came on for Livermore and Campbell.
Sharpe had a fantastic chance to add to his tally as he flashed a shot wide of the right post after brilliantly turning past his defender. In the 75th minute, the Bay had another good chance as Thompson’s shot went wide as he simultaneously fell to the ground after losing balance.
More changes were made in the 77th minute as Sharpe came off for Luca Shilling, who scored his first goal for the club last week. Shilling made another instant impact as he smartly, and also quickly, set up Forster for a simple finish to double the Bay’s advantage, giving them much needed breathing space. After the goal had gone in, another change was made as Alan Achuo came on for Larmouth and Henry Harvey came on for Thompson.
In the 87th minute things went from great to delirious for the Bay, as Harvey’s long throw was met by Aplin who glanced a header into the side-netting as he rose higher than the keeper. Aplin’s contribution was the last significant moment of the encounter, as the final time whistle was met with open arms by most.
Yesterday’s 3-0 mean the Bay retained their place at the summit, just one point above Guisborough Town. It was a game in which the Bay took time to grow into, but Jay Bates’ halftime instruction, as well as his substitutions, were the undeniable factors which changed the home side’s fortune. The Man of the Match award was won by Kanda who had a brilliant game, dictating the tempo of the game and pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Stewart, Thompson(Harvey 83mins), Forster, Scott, Errington, Campbell(Christie 57mins), Kanda, Sharpe(Shilling 77mins), Larmouth(Achuo 82mins), Livermore(Aplin 57mins)
Cautions: Asikaogu, Aplin
Referee: Ben Whitfield
Attendance: 487
Bay Landscaping North East Ltd Man of the match: Mechack Kanda
