FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY
WHITLEY BAY 4 SEAHAM RED STAR 1
Tuesday 8th August
Whitley cruised into the next round of the FA Cup with an impressive victory over Seaham Red Star to set up a visit to Penrith in the Preliminary Round a week on Saturday. Having failed to complete the job on a sunny afternoon on the Durham coast last weekend, they did it in emphatic style on a rainy night at Hillheads.
Any thoughts that it would be another closely contested game were quickly dispelled as Whitley, undeterred by the adverse weather, launched wave after wave of attacks, leaving Seaham effectively sunk by the interval.
Having failed to break down a solid rearguard during Saturday’s encounter, Whitley were much more effective in the replay, with Alex Kempster setting the standard with an impressive run from midfield down the right flank, going past several opponents before delivering a dangerous looking cross into the box. With 18 minutes played Kempster set up the opening goal with an excellent cross from the right and Scott Jasper, making his full debut, headed home powerfully at the near post.
A minute later it could have been 2-0 when Jasper was played clear but Seaham keeper Jordan Harkess made a good save. Seconds later it was Kempster’s turn to see an attempt on target pushed wide by the keeper. Incredibly Jasper twice tested Harkess in the next few minutes as Whitley maintained their onslaught. The pressure continued and inevitably the visitors’ defence succumbed for a second time in six minutes after Charmey’s precise through ball found Kempster on the right edge of the 18 yard box and the young midfielder finished in style, his cleanly struck shot flying into the far corner of the net despite Harkess getting his fingertips to the ball.
Playing the ball quickly and accurately across the park Whitley were in control of the game and Seaham had made little impression but they finally got an attempt on goal in the 29th minute and it was former Bay striker Ash Davis with the shot but it was too weak to trouble Tom Flynn who saved easily.
Back came Whitley and Jack Byerley had a shot saved low down by Harkess. Former Bay defender Callum Munro then went on a long run down the wing but his shot was well wide. The same player was involved at the other end of the field five minutes before the break, clumsily felling Kyle Patton in full flight, just as the teenager was going clear on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Patton’s cross from the left reached Thibault Charmey whose first time shot skidded across the wet surface and through a packed defence but was saved by the keeper. Right on the stroke of half time, Whitley got the cushion of a third goal when Byerley headed home Tom Potter’s right wing corner. The three goal margin was no more than Whitley deserved after a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Rather than resting on their laurels, Whitley continued to press forward after the interval but they were hit by a highly contentious refereeing decision twelve minutes after the resumption. Another former Bay player, winger Robbie Bird, used his pace well to break away down the left but he was challenged by Callum Anderson right on the by-line. Both players slipped to the ground but match official Chris Ellis deemed it was foul by the new Bay captain and immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Seaham’s free scoring striker Craig Lynch, whose threat had been stifled by the Bay defence, slotted home the spot kick to give the visitors renewed hope. However Whitley remained solid at the back, with Ross Wilkinson, who was unavailable at the weekend, returning to add height in the centre of defence, ably supported by Anderson and Nearney.
Whitley needed a fourth goal to end any thoughts of a Seaham come back and it duly came in the 70th minute following Callum Patton’s left wing corner which was only half cleared and brother Kyle struck the ball low through a ruck of players giving Harkess no chance. A long range attempt by Charmey four minutes later was comfortably saved while Seaham substitute Luke Bailey had a rare shot on goal for the visitors. Whitley were now in complete control and comfortably saw out the remainder of the game before receiving a rousing reception from the fans at the final whistle after a very impressive performance. Perhaps surprisingly, this was the first time in nine years that Whitley have scored four goals in a FA Cup tie. On that last occasion, current assistant manager Anthony Woodhouse got the first goal in a 4-0 victory over Billingham Town.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Byerley, Nearney, C Patton, Wilkinson, Anderson, Potter(Cunningham 88mins), Charmey, Jasper(Cornish 78mins), Kempster, K Patton(Reay 86mins)
Substitutes not used: Hall, Williams, Harley
Attendance: 259
Caution: K Patton
Referee: Chris Ellis
h2o Bathrooms man of the match: Callum Patton
View match photos View WBFCTV
