MARSKE UNITED 2 WHITLEY BAY 0
Thursday 17th March
Playing their third game in six days, Whitley produced a battling performance at league champions Marske and were in with a chance of claiming a point until the final five minutes when the hosts scored their second goal.
Ian Chandler made two changes from the side that defeated Newcastle Benfield two days earlier, Dan Gladstone taking over in goal and Stuart Bramley coming in at centre back.
Marske had a good chance after just six minutes when Mulligan broke clear but his shot was off target. Almost immediately, Whitley went on the attack and Callum Munro almost caught out the home defence with a 20 yard shot that flew barely a foot over the bar. Two minutes later a long free kick was played on to Ash Davis whose volley was only inches too high.
Whitley were having a good spell and when Alex Kempster crossed from the left, Wheatley was forced to head the ball behind from right in front of goal. Fowler’s corner kick was headed over the bar by Aiden Haley.
At the other end, Whitley conceded a free kick just outside the box but the ball was played into the defensive wall and cleared. Following another free kick, the ball was played into the goalmouth by Brockbank and hesitancy in the Bay defence left Mulligan with a simple chance which he duly accepted, slotting the ball home from a tight angle to give the hosts a 17th minute lead.
Seven minutes later, Davis almost got Whitley back on terms but his chipped shot just failed to clear Marske keeper Robbie Dean who held the ball high above his head.
Whitley were giving away a series of free kicks in dangerous positions and their cause was not being aided by a whistle happy referee some of whose decisions left both sides bemused. Mulligan and Wheatley were both denied by Gladstone and at least three goalbound shots were kept out by last ditch clearances, Bramley, McFarlane and Gibson all coming to Whitley’s rescue as Marske bombarded the Bay goal.
A quick breakaway relieved the pressure when McFarlane raced down the left wing and his cross was put behind for a corner.
With 37 minutes on the clock Whitley were denied an equaliser by a stunning save from Dean. Callum Munro crossed from the left and Kempster rose to meet the ball perfectly but his powerful header was superbly saved by Dean, who somehow managed to push the ball away from goal.
Back came Marske and after another goal line clearance, Gladstone denied Preston with his feet.
Under the cosh at times in the first half, Whitley came under far less pressure after the interval in what was an evenly contested 45 minutes. Six minutes after the restart, Kempster broke clear but a poor first touch saw the ball run clear and Dean made a comfortable save. Two minutes later the Marske keeper was forced to race off his line to reach a long through ball just ahead of the onrushing Kempster.
Shanks had a half chance a few minutes later when Kempster crossed from the right but the striker could not get enough power on the ball to trouble Dean.
Given the heavy schedule of fixtures, it was hardly surprising that both sides tired as the game entered the final quarter and chances were at a premium. Whitley were still in with a chance of snatching a draw and in a quick break out of defence, Munro played the ball through to Davis who in turn set up Kempster but Dean was in unbeatable form and kept the ball out with his feet. Gibson, hard working all night in defence, joined the attack in the closing stages as Whitley tried their best to grab an equaliser
Substitute Kelly fired over the bar for Teessiders but five minutes from time, another sub, the vastly experienced Danny Brunskill won the ball 20 yards out on the Marske right and when it was played across goal, Bythway beat Gladstone from close range to seal victory for the home side.
It was the second time in just over a fortnight that Whitley had suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Marske, who are chasing a second successive league title, and once again it could be argued that they were unfortunate not to pick up a point.
Despite the defeat, Ian Chandler was pleased with the performance of his side, especially in the second half when Marske were restricted to very few chances. Carl Jarrett, manager of the league champions who consolidated second place with the win, was happy to see his side grind out another three points from a tough game.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, McFarlane(Day 64mins), Munro, Anderson, Gibson, Bramley(Youldon 80mins), Haley(Prosser 52mins), Fowler, Shanks, Davis, Kempster
Substitute not used: T Flynn
Referee: Daniel Woodward
Caution: Shanks
Attendance: 150
