WHITLEY BAY 1 CROOK TOWN 0
Saturday 5th October 2024
Report by Harry Salkeld
After penalty shootout heartbreak mid-week, the Bay were back at Hillheads Park to take on Crook Town. Our opponents came into this game unbeaten in their last four games, but all the results had been hard-fought draws.
The game started with the Bay having some lovely passages of play with fast movement, however, Crook did look like the team with the more threat and energy in the middle of the park. The first shot of the game fell to Craig Moody who had a shot straight at Gladstone.
The Bay were starting to grow into the game as an attacking entity and Larmouth was making himself a nuisance down the left-hand side. In the 17th minute, Sharpe had an effort in the penalty area blocked by Kurt Matthews and then another comfortably collected by the goalkeeper, Fairless. Minutes later and the Bay were on the counter-attack through Larmouth. The Bay’s number 7 played a delectable through ball over the top to Thompson who used his physical presence and tantalising technique to leave him one on one with Fairless. Thompson, without any hesitation, smashed the ball into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance. It was a fantastic goal. The pass by Larmouth was super-sonic and Thompson showed composure in spades.
The opposition continued to show physicality, energy and fight but were failing to create any chances or put the Bay defence on the back-foot. Not long later and the visitors had their best chance of the game as Bunton squandered his shot from close range, despite there being no pressure from the Bay defenders.
The Bay were offering a lot of threat on the counter-attack, especially down the right-hand side as shown in the 33rd minute when Cockburn was denied by Fairless and then the rebound from Sharpe was cleared off the line to the frustration of the majority inside Hillheads Park.
Minutes later and another Bay counter-attack, as Cockburn had a shot comfortably saved down the middle. It was a questionable decision from the Bay forward as there were plenty of options to his left, screaming for the ball.
Unsurprisingly, the visitors were dominating the ball, as they were looking for their equaliser, but they continued to not create any clear-cut chances.
The Bay went into the break ahead and despite not dominating the ball, it was definitely deserved as we created so many chances and probably deserved to be winning by more.
Our opponents made a change at half-time as they brought on forward, Ethan Bewley, who caused problems, for the Bay defence early on. He had a headed attempt, in the 52nd minute, sail over the bar to the frustration of the Crook fans surrounding one of the corners in Hillheads Park.
The Bay continued to show threat despite Crook chasing the game. Both Brady and Thompson had efforts go just wide in quick succession. In the 78th minute, Sharpe had an effort flash wide of the far post after a great run from the Bay’s number nine.
The visitors best chance of the match came in the 79th minute as Bewley set up Havelock-Brown for a chance at goal. Havelock-Brown took a great first touch but was denied by Gladstone who brilliantly rushed of his line to block the effort.
The last ten minutes felt like thirty for anyone associated with the Bay as Crook continued to send plenty of ‘hopeful’ balls into the penalty area.
Time ticked on and the Bay, as they had done for the rest of the game, continued to defend brilliantly. The final whistle finally came and the noise and atmosphere in Hillheads was electric. Many fans, especially those from our junior teams, were congratulating the lads and making their voices heard.
Man of the Match was won by Sharpe and his award was presented by manager, Jay Bates. Another fantastic result and performance from the lads.
HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Brady, Christie, Forster, Stewart(Higgins 70mins), Scott, Larmouth, Kanda, Sharpe, Thompson(Parker 89mins), Cockburn(Wilson 70mins)
Substitutes not used: Crawford, Donaghey
Attendance: 354
Referee: Jonathan Schofield
