BEDLINGTON TERRIERS 1 WHITLEY BAY 2 Whitley completed their pre-season fixtures unbeaten after this narrow victory at Bedlington, now managed by former Bay boss Paddy Atkinson. Just three first team regulars started this game as several new signings and reserves were included in the side. Whitley had much the better of the opening period and Scott Jasper had a good chance in the 9th minute while Graham Williams headed just over the bar shortly afterwards. Chris Moore then set up Matty Cornish whose lob cleared the keeper but also went over the bar. Teenage goalkeeper Callum Harley made a good save, pushing the ball away from a rare Bedlington attempt on target. Four minutes before the interval, a free kick from Callum Patton caused problems in the Terriers defence and Williams almost poked the ball over the line. In the final action of the half, Matty Cornish brushed past two defenders and produced a strong shot that was parried to safety by the keeper.
After the interval Whitley made three changes and one of the substitutes Kyle Patton brought a fine blocking save from the keeper. Thirteen minutes into the half, Whitley broke the deadlock when Moore played a precision pass through the Bedlington defence, releasing Patton and the youngster broke clear of former Bay Vase winner Steve Gibson before slotting the ball past keeper Wells. Soon afterwards, Alex Kempster curled a free kick over the bar but then with 68 minutes played, the home side were awarded a penalty after Tom Flynn was penalised and Scott levelled with the spot kick. Cornish had a close range effort blocked by Wells before neat work from Callum Patton ended with his shot going narrowly wide.
Bedlington pushed forward with more intent than at any previous stage but Whitley’s defence held out comfortably and it was the Bay who grabbed a late winner when Thibault Charmey’s shot from the right was too powerful for Wells to hold and he could only push the ball into the path of Ross Wilkinson who tapped home from close range.
WHITLEY BAY: Harley, Byerley, Reay, C Patton, Wilkinson, Williams, Moore, Cornish, Jasper, Potter, Cunningham
Second half substitutes: Flynn, Charmey, K Patton, Kempster, Hall
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