MORPETH TOWN 5 WHITLEY BAY 0
Wednesday 16th August
A severely depleted Bay side suffered their first defeat since January, a run of 14 competitive games, but they held out gamely for more than an hour before three goals in a five minute spell proved decisive.
Against a Morpeth side with a 100% home league record since last October, this was always going to be a tough task but with Jack Byerley and Callum Patton unavailable and Ross Wilkinson and Callum Anderson both injured during Saturday’s victory over Stockton, Whitley’s defensive resources were stretched to the limit.
Not surprisingly, Morpeth had the greater share of possession during the first half and in the opening minute Davison poked a cross from the wing narrowly wide. Tom Flynn then had to push an effort from Taylor round the post while in a break down field, Alex Kempster was not far off target. With 18 minutes played, Davison glanced a header wide of goal but Whitley threatened again on the counter attack only for Kyle Patton to be brought down as he tried to break clear, a foul that earned Forster a caution.
Seven minutes before the interval, a great bit of skill by Patton saw him turn past a defender but when clear on goal his shot lacked power and Dryden saved with ease. At the other end, an important challenge by Graham Williams forced Carr’s shot wide then three minutes before the break, Carr appealed in vain for a penalty after failing to convert a chance in front of goal.
Whitley had been on the back foot for most of the half but could be content with the 0-0 scoreline at the midway stage of the contest. On the resumption, the rain that had been forecast was falling heavily but Whitley looked more positive in the opening stages and within three minutes created their best chance of the game. It came when Kempster crossed from the right and as the ball flew across the wet surface, Scott Jasper slid in but scooped the ball over the bar from six yards. Showing greater energy and self belief, Whitley enjoyed more of the game but without really threatening Dryden’s goal and with an hour played they were still very much in with a chance of taking something from the contest.
However, all that changed in a devastating five minutes burst from the hosts. Carr played the ball through to Taylor on the right and he cut through the Bay defence before slotting past Flynn to give Morpeth a 63rd minute lead. Two minutes later Whitley were caught out at a corner leaving Coppen free to power home a header. Then Carr’s cross from the right took a deflection off Williams and flew into the net beyond the helpless Flynn.
A stunned Bay side needed to stem the flow and six minutes later might have pulled a goal back but Charmey’s shot whistled inches over the bar.
The respite was short-lived as Morpeth went back on the attack and Walton burst past Williams and with Flynn advancing from his line, he squared the ball for substitute Henderson to tap home to make it 4-0 with 15 minutes left.
Jasper had a low shot saved by Dryden seven minutes from time but barely a minute later, Morpeth added a somewhat fortuitous fifth when Forster’s cross took a big deflection and flew into the net, the goal eventually being credited to Fry.
Morpeth deservedly ran out winners to go top of the table but Whitley can justifiably feel that the final scoreline was harsh on them.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Nearney, Hall, Haley, Williams, Charmey, Potter, Glen-Ravenhill, Jasper, Kempster, K Patton(Cornish 74mins)
Substitutes not used: Harley, Reay, Field, Moore
Referee: Lindsey Robinson
Cautions: None
Attendance: 281
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