NORTH SHIELDS 1 WHITLEY BAY 2
Wednesday 3rd January
Whitley made the best possible start to the new year as they emerged victorious in their local derby at North Shields. They now sit proudly at the top of the Northern League form table, a particularly impressive achievement with five wins and a draw in their last six games, and all five victories coming away from home.
For the first time this season, Marc Nash had the luxury of a full strength squad to select from so while Callum Anderson was back in the starting eleven and teenager striker Callum Johnston made his full debut, the manager had the difficult task of deciding which five players would be named on the bench and who would miss out altogether.
Whitley started brightly and inside the first minute Kyle Patton made a strong run down the left but his pass to Alex Kempster resulted in McCafferty making a comfortable save. Following their early promise, Whitley were soon forced back on the defensive as Shields gained the upper hand. In the sixth minute, Ben Harmison got a shot on target from a narrow angle but Tom Flynn made a good save. The home side continued in the ascendency and they deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute when Harmison headed home a cross from the left by Dean Holmes. Four minutes later Anderson was cautioned for a foul on Harmison just outside the 18 yard box before a shot from Lee Mason flew wide. Mason again and then Holmes both had further chances to extend the lead for Shields but failed to find the target.
When Whitley broke away midway through the half, Josh Nearney was tripped 20 yards from goal but the free kick from Matty Cornish curled just beyond the reach of Noah Summers as he came in at the back post.
Whitley’s first meaningful attempt on target came in the 39th minute when Chris Salmon’s shot rebounded off the chest of McCafferty as the keeper struggled to claim the ball. Now beginning to exert pressure on the hosts, Whitley pushed forward again and three minutes before the interval they were awarded a penalty when Matty Cornish was brought down as he tried to go past two defenders on the right edge of the box. Tom Potter drilled the spot kick to the right of McCafferty to level the score somewhat against the run of play. There was still time for Nearney get another shot on goal but at half time it remained all square.
With the stiff breeze at the backs, Whitley began the second half well and they took the lead in the 50th minute. Little had been seen of Johnston during the opening half but the 19 year old former Ashington striker was to make a crucial impact when from outside the right edge of the Shields penalty area his looping shot left McCafferty stranded as it flew over the keeper and dipped into the top corner of the net, his first goal in Bay colours. Two minutes later Whitley might have got a third but Kyle Patton could not quite connect with Nearney’s ball into the box and McCafferty averted the danger. Another Bay attack came when Nearney played the ball over the Shields’ defence, setting Johnston clear but McCafferty saved well from the youngster at his near post.
Whitley had been looking much more effective since half time but Shields were given a lifeline on the hour mark when Salmon was deemed to have handled the ball close to the by-line on the Shields left and referee Michael Burrows pointed to the spot. Harmison stepped up to take the penalty but Tom Flynn made an excellent diving save, pushing the ball past the post.
The save gave Whitley a huge boost and thanks to well disciplined defending, the home side were denied any clear cut chances in the final quarter of the game. Harmison was replaced by Bainbridge but Shields’ most potent striker was unable to make an impact. 18 minutes from time Kyle Patton was fouled by Adam Forster just inches outside the Shields penalty area, a challenge that injured the Robins’ experienced midfielder and earned him a yellow card.
Callum Patton and Thibault Charmey both came off the bench for Whitley in the closing stages and Charmey almost put the result beyond doubt five minutes from time with a low shot that McCafferty pushed round the post at full stretch. The resultant in-swinging corner from Potter crashed off the bar as Whitley stayed on top, seeing out the remaining minutes to claim a thoroughly deserved victory over their local rivals.
Whitley’s youthful squad, average age just 21, had overcome the challenge of a far more experienced side and if they can stay together and fully fit, there could be some exciting times ahead.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Salmon, Nearney, Haley, Anderson, Summers, Potter, Cornish(C Patton 72mins), Johnston, Kempster(Charmey 84mins), K Patton
Substitutes not used: Jasper, Walker, Wilkinson
Referee: Michael Burrows
Cautions: Anderson, K Patton, C Patton
Attendance: 551
