WHITLEY BAY 6 BIRTLEY TOWN 0
Saturday 19th October
Match report by Harry Salkeld
After an exhilarating game at Carlisle, the Bay were back at Hillheads looking to continue their very impressive home form. The boys in blue and white have only lost one home game all season and it came all the way back in early August. Hillheads regulars have seen some delectable football over recent weeks and the hope before kick-off was that it would continue. Our opponents, despite having a previously great campaign, have had a tough time so far this season as they sat in 19th before this game.
Both Liam Beeston and Alfa Djalo were called up for their home debuts, a decision that would ultimately pay dividends.
The game started with not many chances being created but the Bay were playing cohesive passing football even when they were being pressed. The visitors did start to show glimpses of threat as they put the Bay defence on the backfoot, but they weren’t creating any clear-cut chances.
Minutes later and the Bay opened the scoring after a moment of brilliance. Djalo ran dangerously with the ball before finding Thompson in the box with space. The Bay’s number 10 wrapped his foot around the ball with the outside of his boot sending his shot flying into the top left corner. It was an effort which got many in Hillheads out of their seat. But there was far more to come from ‘Bayzil’!
The Bay showed threat on the break again as Griggs had a one-on-one effort denied and then Sharpe, instantly after, had a shot go wide of the far post. Minutes later and Beeston unleashed a beast of a shot from just outside the centre-circle. It seemed like a crazy effort, but the keeper was caught on his toes as the ball sailed into the back of the net! Unsurprisingly, Hillheads went wild, and it was one of the loudest reactions to a goal that I have ever heard at the ground.
In the 32nd minute, the Bay earnt a free kick in a position where you would expect them to cross it. However, Beeston played a short, cute pass through the legs of a Birtley defender sending Sharpe through on goal. Sharpe, on the turn and with a first-time finish, placed the ball into the bottom right corner. It was three moments of excellence, all in quick succession for the Bay, and the fans were getting their money’s worth.
No chances were created in the dying embers of the first half, but the Bay continued to stay true to their principles as they played lovely, fast-paced passing football.
The second half started in the same vein as how the first ended. No real chances were being created by either side and the Bay were inviting the high Birtley press so they could quickly rip through them when they were out of position.
In the 59th minute, Dan Gladstone played a long ball which took an unexpected bounce under Kevin Dixon, sending Griggs through on goal. Griggs calmly took his time before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
The Bay made their first change of the game in the 67th minute as goal scorer, Sharpe, was replaced by Finlay Parker.
The visitors best chance of the game came after a dazzling run from Shodeinde whose eventual effort was tipped onto the bar by Gladstone with a phenomenal, reflex save.
In the 91st minute, Thompson found substitute, Luaba, on the edge of the area who sent both the goalkeeper and the defender the wrong way before making it five with his wand of a left foot.
The Bay’s party didn’t end there as another substitute got on the scoresheet. This time, Thomas Wilson had an effort whizz past the Birtley keeper and into the bottom corner. It was another amazing goal to add to an already tantalising display on the day.
The game ended seconds after the goal and there was a big wave of applause and cheers from the home fans after a super-sonic performance. The Bay flourished on a sunny day at Hillheads. Their endeavour and desire to play the beautiful game on the floor with fluid passing and movement, was a stark contrast to the oppositions more direct tactics. Football was the real winner with a 6-0 scoreline.
Five players scored their first goal for the club during the encounter and two were on the debuts, a day to truly remember for all associated to the Bay. Man of the match went to Callum Larmouth who, despite not scoring, played a vital role in the Bay’s performance.
Thank you to everyone who came to support the Bay instead of Newcastle, you made the correct decision! HOWAY THE BAY!!!
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, Higgins, Christie, Beeston(Luaba 84mins), Stewart, Scott, Larmouth, Djalo, Sharpe(Parker 67mins), Thompson, Griggs(Wilson 82mins)
Referee: Tom Lishman
Cautions: Higgins, Larmouth, Sharpe
Attendance: 358
Match photos: Whitley Bay v Birtley Town Northern League 19/10/24 | Flickr
