BLYTH SPARTANS 2 WHITLEY BAY 4
Tuesday 24th July
Whitley earned a surprise but well deserved victory in this pre-season friendly at Croft Park. Both sides fielded a number of trialists but the main talking point among Bay fans was the return of Tom Flynn in goal after last season’s Player of the Year agreed to remain at Hillheads. His appearance brought some much needed confidence to the Whitley rearguard and contributed to the most impressive pre-season performance so far.
While the National League North hosts started without many of their first team regulars they still looked dangerous in attack, Flynn keeping Whitley level with a fine first minute save from Maguire while Wrightson fired over when well placed. It came very much against the run of play when Whitley took an 11th minute lead, Olly Martin bursting clear of the Spartans defence to drive a low 15 yard shot beyond the trialist keeper into the far corner of the net.
Spartans were getting the ball out wide on the left to former Bay winger Jarrett Rivers at every opportunity and his pace was a threat as the hosts aimed to get behind the Bay defence. It was Rivers who levelled the score after 22 minutes but from a more central position after he intercepted a wayward pass and burst forward before powering a shot low into the net.
Whitley were coming more into the game and after Martin was only narrowly off target, they were awarded a penalty for handball just inside the box, but Peter Glen-Ravenhill’s spot kick was well saved as the keeper dived low to his left to push the ball clear.
Deservedly level at the interval, Whitley survived a goal line clearance before they regained the lead in the 49th minute when Glen-Ravenhill fired the ball high into the net to make amends for his earlier penalty miss. Both sides made a series of substitutions as the half progressed, with further trialists being given their opportunity to stake their claims for permanent deals.
There was a fortunate escape for Whitley when Flynn’s mis-kick gave Fewster a chance but he could not capitalise, then the lively Martin sent a fine long range effort just over the Blyth bar. Spartans made a double substitution on the hour mark and the two players brought off the bench made an immediate impact but hardly as the home side would have wished. Keeper Jameson and defender Green made a hash of an attempted clearance allowing Jack Foalle to capitalise and put Whitley 3-1 ahead. It should have been 4-1 just three minutes later when a trip in the box brought another penalty but this time Glen-Ravenhill’s powerful shot rebounded off the bar.
Blyth found a way back into the game with 20 minutes remaining when a corner was played deep to Horner whose shot flew into the net off the far post. Urged on by their fans, Spartans battled for an equaliser and they put the Bay defence under some pressure but Andy Gowens’ side held firm with every player battling hard winning a large percentage of challenges.
Whitley remained a threat in attack and after Foalle had seen a shot saved by Jameson, the Bay striker sealed victory six minutes from time after outpacing the home defence and confidently slotting home.
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Redford, Salmon, Trialist A, Trialist B, Taylor, Glen-Ravenhill, Trialist C, Ramsey, Trialist D, Martin. Substitutes: Hassan, Hall, Foalle, Carr, Brannen, Hucks, Trialist E, Trialist F
