WHITLEY BAY 1 DUNSTON UTS 3
Saturday 27th January
After an encouraging start, Whitley’s hopes of victory over Dunston were blown away on a windy afternoon at Hillheads.
It all began very well for Whitley as they immediately pushed forward and put the visitors under pressure. Liam Brooks was at the heart of the action, firstly setting up a chance for Callum Johnston whose attempt went over the bar then two minutes later he played the ball in from the right and Alex Kempster drove a low shot just inches beyond the far post. Brooks was making life difficult for the Dunston defence and in the tenth minute he turned just inside the right edge of the penalty area and fired a tremendous shot beyond keeper Niall Harrison to give Whitley a well deserved lead. Four minutes later Tom Potter’s free kick flew inches over the bar and with Whitley passing the ball accurately and finding plenty of space in midfield it looked only a matter of time before they added to their lead.
However, Dunston gradually worked their way into the game and after forcing two corners in quick succession, they eventually got a shot on target as Lowther brought a low save from Tom Flynn with 36 minutes played. They were enjoying much more of the possession in closing stages of the half and three minutes before the interval they drew level when a long throw in from the left was flicked on inside the 18 yard box and Mark Fitzpatrick got in ahead of Flynn to head the ball home. In stoppage time, Johnston fired in a shot that Harrison kept out to ensure the sides went in level.
The second half was as disappointing as it could get for Whitley, now playing against the strengthening wind, as they struggled to put passes together and failed to put any pressure on the Dunston defence. In the 61st minute, the visitors took the lead when Dan Halliday broke down the left and his shot from the edge of the penalty area deceived Flynn and flew into the net. Two minutes later it got even worse for Whitley when from out on the right, Liam Thear smashed a shot across Flynn into the net to put Dunston two goals ahead.
Sadly for the home fans, these two quick goals meant that the game was effectively over. Whitley were finding it increasingly difficult to get the ball out of their own half, due in part to the strength of the wind but also the determination of a Dunston side who despite the tricky conditions, battled for every ball and made better use of the elements. The introduction of substitutes Scott Jasper and Matty Cornish failed to change the course of the game as Whitley slipped to a disappointing defeat. In marked contrast to their excellent away form, they have failed to perform to the same consistent level for the full 90 minutes at Hillheads this season, and will need to improve their home record if they are to challenge for a top six place in the table.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Nearney, Walker, Haley, Wilkinson, Summers, Potter, Kempster, Johnston(Cornish 77mins), Brooks(Jasper 77mins) Patton
Substitutes not used: Anderson, Charmey, Salmon
Referee: Paul Brown
Caution: Haley
Attendance: 358
h2o Bathrooms man of the match: Liam Brooks
