WHITLEY BAY 1 HORDEN CW 0
Saturday 28th March 2026
Match report by Harry Salkeld
After a win on the road at Kendal, the Bay were back at Hillheads Park looking to edge one step closer to a guaranteed play-off spot come the end of the season. Our opponents, Horden CW came into the game in a respectable 9th place, with an incredibly slim possibility of securing a play-off spot themselves.
The game started with the Bay enjoying most of the ball and it took only six minutes for Mackenzie Sharpe to find the back of the net, however it was unfortunately disallowed due to offside. It would only take one minute for Sharpe to have another attempt after a fluid passage of play resulted in an opportunity which went marginally over the crossbar.
Six minutes later, Sharpe was denied one on one as the Bay faithful were left bewildered at the fact their number nine still hadn’t broke the deadlock. Despite, the game remaining in the balance, the Bay continued to play their aesthetically pleasing brand of football. After a dry spell of chances, Sharpe was back in the limelight as he flashed a shot over the bar after a brilliant piece of individual skill.
Horden continued to be put under pressure as Callum Larmouth’s free kick was parried away by Robert Dean. That set piece attempt was the last moment of real significance of the first half as the lads went into the halftime interval with a frustrating scoreline of 0-0. For all their dominant play and individual skill, the Bay went in to the locker room ruing missed opportunities.
After the fifteen-minute interval, the Bay came out with the same ambition; to break the deadlock. Sharpe had a long-range effort denied by the fingertips of Dean, almost like a recreation of Ramsdale vs Zirkzee.
Horden’s first attempt came in approximately the 60th minute but it didn’t result in any major concern for Bay defence. In the 69th minute, Nathan Nkunku came on for Kieran Aplin, a substitution that would change the complexion of the encounter.
Josh Stewart flashed a half volley past the far post with the clock quickly ticking towards 90. Minutes later, Nkunku smashed a shot over the bar after a brilliantly well worked passage of play. With minutes to go, Nkunku used his immense physicality and blistering pace to get the beating of his full-back on the right wing and fizz a ball into Sharpe. Our number 9’s immaculate first touch set himself up for a shot which he curled into the side netting. The crowd erupted as the Bay’s hard work finally paid off and three points were now on the horizon.
The Bay managed to see the game out and secure a monumental win. It was a deserved winner as all the fans would testify that the team gave the best illustration of the beautiful game. Particularly in the first half, the ability of the players to shift the ball from one foot to the other and beat their opponent, created space and opportunity. But for the final killer pass, the margin of victory could and should, have been more comfortable. Our 19th win of the season means we only need one point from our remaining four league games to secure a playoff spot. Thank you to everyone who attended the game and HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Asikaogu, Stewart, Christie(Forster 75mins), Larmouth, Scott, Errington, Aplin(Nkunku 69mins), Kanda, Sharpe, Thompson, Livermore(Shilling 84mins)
Substitutes not used: Williams, Achuo
Referee: Anthony Duffy
Cautions: None
Attendance: 479
Bay Fencing North East Ltd Man of the Match: Mikel Thompson
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcqweb/albums/72177720332796218
