Whitley play their third consecutive away game this weekend when they travel to Ryhope CW for the first of two games between the sides in the space of just four days. Ryhope are three points ahead of Whitley in mid table, having played three more games and victory for Whitley would see them leapfrog their opponents ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup clash at the same venue.
This will be the fourth competitive game between the sides at the Ryhope Recreation Ground and all three previous games have been action packed with Whitley scoring a crucial late goal in each contest. The first occasion was in 2015 in a FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay when a stoppage time goal earned Whitley a 3-2 win. That season Ryhope were promoted to the First Division and the league game in following season was a dramatic encounter with Whitley fighting back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 thanks to a stoppage time equaliser from Liam Brooks. Last season the sides produced yet another exciting contest with Kyle Patton grabbing a 90th minute winner as Whitley came out on top 3-2.
Judging by these previous games, and after last Saturday’s stoppage time equaliser at Newton Aycliffe, fans would be well advised to not to leave the ground before the final whistle!
