Just three days after his appointment, new Bay manager Mick Mulhern takes his side to Newton Aycliffe this weekend where victory would see Whitley leapfrog their mid-table hosts. Having stepped up from the role of assistant manager, Mulhern knows the players well and will be looking for an improvement on last week’s disappointing performance at Whickham. Despite a few niggling injuries, he should have a near full strength squad available. None of the seven previous meetings between the sides at Newton Aycliffe have been drawn, Whitley having won three and Aycliffe four. The new boss will doubtless be hoping for a similar outcome to that when he took charge of the side in the absence of Andy Gowens earlier in the season. That was the memorable FA Cup tie against Whitby Town when a last minute goal saw Whitley pull off one of the shocks of the round. Kick off at the Newton Aycliffe Stadium, Moore Lane Park, is at 3pm.
