JARROW ROOFING 2 WHITLEY BAY 2
Saturday 10th September
Whitley had to settle for a share of the points in a hard fought game but they could have won had they made the most of the chances they created, especially in the first half.
Hartlepool loanee Josh Nearney made his debut at full back and Ross Wilkinson returned to the starting line up but Callum Anderson missed out through injury.
The Roofing side included four former Bay players, most notably Paul Chow, but the man who scored 270 goals in his days at Hillheads was unable to get on the scoresheet against his former club.
The home side started well and might have gone in front inside the first minute but Michael Mackay volleyed his shot into the side netting. That was the only real opportunity they created in the opening half hour as Whitley looked much the better side, with Shanks and Kempster both going close inside the first ten minutes. Former Bay keeper Andy Jennison then failed to hold onto a shot from McDonald but redeemed himself when the ball ran loose, blocking Kempster’s follow up attempt. Two corners followed in quick succession before Kempster’s header from McDonald’s cross clipped the top of the bar. The shots kept pouring in with Fryatt was just off target from another corner and Patton’s fiercely struck shot brought a good save from Jennison.
Whitley’s persistence was rewarded in the 27th minute when McDonald’s corner was flicked on by Kempster and Shanks lashed the ball into the net from ten yards for a well deserved lead. Roofing gradually came more into the game and just past the half hour it took a timely tackle by Wilkinson to deny Paul Chow a shot on goal. Mackay then fired wide with a 20 yard effort as the home side showed more attacking intent. Whitley could have doubled their lead three minutes before half time when Haley crossed from the right but Jennison did well to save Fryatt’s shot with his feet. The ball rebounded to Shanks who skied it over the bar. It looked as if Whitley would go in at half time with a single goal lead but just before the whistle, and very much against the run of play, Roofing drew level when Robbie Williamson crossed from the right, Chow let the ball run across goal and Purewal slotted home at the back post.
Six minutes into the second half, Whitley had strong appeals for a penalty turned down and soon afterwards they went behind when Hedley volleyed home after a ball across the box from Hay was not cut out. Nine minutes later, Whitley did win a penalty following a handball in the box and Jake Fowler comfortably converted the spot kick to make it 2-2.
Kempster then saw a shot parried by Jennison but the keeper recovered just in time to reclaim the ball ahead of the on-rushing substitute Andy Robertson. In the 71st minute Shanks volleyed narrowly wide before Fryatt failed to make the most of a clear chance on goal after being played through by Fowler. Whitley continued to press for a winner but with the Roofing defence holding firm this was an occasion when they could not find a late goal and had to be content with a draw.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Nearney, McDonald, Haley, Wilkinson, Eleftheriadis, Fryatt(Keltie 78mins), Fowler, Shanks, Patton(Robertson 59mins), Kempster
Attendance:162
