NORTH SHIELDS 2 WHITLEY BAY 0
Saturday 3rd November
Just four days after comfortably defeating their local rivals 2-0 at Hillheads, Whitley were beaten by the same score when the sides met at North Shields. In a complete reversal of fortunes, Whitley’s inconsistent form cost them the points and they could have no complaints over the outcome.
In a surprisingly subdued atmosphere at the Daren Persson Stadium, the first half was largely devoid of entertainment with few shots on target at either end. This was in marked contrast to Tuesday’s game which saw numerous chances created by both sides and was due in part to the difficult playing conditions, with a strong wind hampering the players.
Both sides made several changes to their starting eleven and Whitley were forced into a late change when Callum Anderson had to pull out due to family illness.
The first chance of the game came for Shields in the seventh minute when Bobby Taylor fired narrowly wide after a left wing corner had been played short. The hosts created another opportunity with 25 minutes played when Ryan Carr broke through but was thwarted by Chris Bannon who raced off his line to block the shot.
Lewis Walton made a foraging run moments later down the Bay left but was eventually blocked out by a determined home defence. On the half hour, a cross from the right by Peter Glen-Ravenhill produced Whitley’s only real chance of the half but Luke Salmon, in stretching to reach the ball, could only put it high over the bar. Two minutes later, a bad challenge on Salmon earned a caution for former Bay striker Callum Johnston.
Seven minutes before the interval, North Shields defender Jordan Summerly made a fine run down the left and burst into the box where he went down as Bannon attempted to take the ball from him. Referee Derric Wade awarded a penalty and although Bannon went the right way, Johnston’s spot kick had too much power for the Bay keeper and put the Robins in front, a lead they retained at the interval.
After the break, Whitley brought on Lewis Suddick, signed from North Shields in midweek, in an attempt to get back in the game, but it was Shields who looked the livelier side and a mistake by Whitley gave the hosts the opportunity to extend their lead ten minutes into the half. A foul near the halfway line had given Whitley a free kick but Ben Richardson’s wayward pass was quickly seized on and the hosts broke forward and from a narrow angle on the right, Taylor slotted the ball past Bannon.
Whitley needed a quick response and it almost came from skipper Glen-Ravenhill whose shot on the hour looked destined for the net until Coppen made a last ditch goal line clearance. Andrei Ardelean had struggled to make an impression as a lone striker and was replaced by Dan Taggart shortly afterwards.
The strength of the wind continued to cause problems and led to several balls downfield running beyond the Bay front men and out of play. A shot from distance by Richardson whistled past the post but then Shields broke downfield with Forster’s run cut out by Gavin Caines at the expense of a corner.
Shields substitute Sean McRoberts’ bad challenge resulted in a confrontation with Ibby Hassan but the referee calmed the situation without bringing out a card.
Whitley pressed forward in a desperate effort to find a way back into the game but they found the Shields defence resolute and quick to close down any attacking move. Salmon and Glen-Ravenhill combined to win a corner then substitute Ryan Redford failed to find the target after being set up well by Taggart but by this stage the game was into stoppage time and the final whistle was not long delayed.
It had been far from a classic and for much of the game it lacked the atmosphere of a local derby but North Shields had claimed the points and in the final analysis they fully deserved their victory.
WHITLEY BAY: Bannon, McFarlane, Cooper, Walton(R Redford 79mins), Caines, Hassan, Brannen(Suddick 46mins), Richardson, Ardelean(Taggart 62mins), Glen-Ravenhill, Salmon
Caution: Cooper
Substitutes not used: Ramsey, Christensen
