TECHFLOW GROUP NORTHUMBERLAND SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL
WHITLEY BAY 6 ALNWICK TOWN 4
(AFTER EXTRA TIME)
Tuesday 18th November
Whitley eventually overcame a spirited Alnwick side to reach the semi finals of the Northumberland Senior Cup but they needed extra time and it was a far from convincing performance.
Their Second Division opponents looked much the better side for long periods of the game, and were quicker to the ball and more accurate in their passing. Whitley in contrast were lacklustre and struggled to cope with Alnwick’s two pacey strikers.
Just as they did when the sides met at the same stage in last season’s competition, Alnwick were quicker out of the blocks and raced into a two goal lead inside 20 minutes. Brad McClelland put them in front after six minutes after the visitors cut through a hesitant Bay defence and strike partner Adam Shanks punished poor defending to double the lead 12 minutes later.
Robbie Bird reduced the deficit after 22 minutes with a close range header after Paul Chow crossed from the by-line but Alnwick maintained their momentum, completely dominating proceedings, and it came as little surprise when they restored their two goal advantage after 33 minutes. The goal came when the Bay defence stood and watched as McClelland powered in a shot that hit the post and then reacted quickly to head home the rebound. It was looking bleak for Whitley who were producing by far their poorest display of the season and were being outclassed by their lively lower status opponents.
Twelve minutes into the second half Robbie Bird got his and Whitley’s second goal after breaking through from midfield and moments later, an attempted clearance was sliced and it looked as if Alnwick were losing their grip on the game. Within 90 seconds of coming off the bench on his first appearance since injury, Alex Kempster provided the cross from the left for Paul Robinson to fire home the 72nd minute equaliser.
It was anyone’s game now and eight minutes from time Chris Reid looked to have got the winner when his shot across goal from the left edge of the penalty area beat keeper Straker and nestled in the bottom corner of the net. However, Whitley’s defence still looked vulnerable and after 86 minute, Shanks slotted home the equaliser to the delight of the vociferous travelling fans.
In the first period of extra time Alnwick looked the hungrier for victory and when Chris Reid slipped and lost possession midway inside his own half, McClelland raced clear on goal but drilled his shot into the side netting.
Midway through a tense second period, Craig McFarlane made a run down the right and played the ball to the back of the penalty area where Paul Robinson hit a powerful shot beyond Straker into the roof of the net. Whitley were back in front but were still not playing with any great conviction and Alnwick had certainly not given up hope of rescuing the game. With just two minutes left, Peter Watling got the sixth goal with an excellent shot into the corner of the net to put the game beyond the gallant Alnwick side.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, McFarlane, Foster, Godsmark(Kempster 72mins), Reid, Laws, Bird, Anderson, Watling, Chow(Redford 114mins), Robinson
Substitutes not used: Harris, Day, McDonald
