NORTHERN LEAGUE CUP GROUP H
WHITLEY BAY 2 CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN 0
Tuesday 24th September
Whitley ran out deserved winners of their second League Cup group stage fixture on a damp night at Hillheads. Heavy rain earlier in the day had put the game in doubt and this probably contributed to the sparse attendance.
Whitley began in fine style with Tom Bramley, making his first start of the season, heading home Connor Smith’s corner in the sixth minute. Second Division Chester-le-Street were struggling to contain a lively Bay side who were creating a series of chances. Lewis Orrell, who had earlier fired narrowly wide, had a great chance to add a second goal in the 23rd minute when he was played clear on goal but his shot was blocked by keeper Max Coombes. The visitors broke downfield and in a rare attempt on goal, Luke Collins tried his luck with a shot that went wide of the far post. Whitley’s Craig Spooner then curled a shot beyond the far post before Nathan Stephenson saw his effort pushed wide by Coombes. From the resultant corner, Luke Taylor sent a powerful header over the bar. Eight minutes before the interval, Spooner was again not far off target with an effort from the left edge of the penalty area.
Three minutes into the second half, Mark Robinson went close to doubling Whitley’s lead but his shot was pushed wide by Coombes, who was repeatedly thwarting Whitley and keeping his side in the game. A second goal was deserved and it came with 57 minutes played, when Smith, looking impressive playing as an attacking right back, burst forward and his cross into the goalmouth was bundled over the line by Brad Hird.
The hard working Chester-le-Street side kept Whitley out for the rest of the game despite being under pressure for lengthy periods. Substitute Liam Doyle on his first team debut, had a shot blocked by the keeper after 69 minutes and to their credit the visitors battled away in search of a consolation goal but Whitley looked strong in defence and for the second successive game, they kept a clean sheet, with keeper Dan Lister not seriously tested.
Connor Smith, creator of both goals, was a popular choice as Whitley’s man of the match.
After a narrow and unlucky defeat at Hebburn in their first group fixture, this was a good performance and an important victory which keeps Whitley’s hopes of qualification from the group on target. Their next group stage game is in two weeks when they are away to Durham City.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Smith, Bramley, Kerr(Emmerson 80mins), Anderson, Taylor, Spooner(Doyle 46mins), Orrell, Hird(Salmon 68mins), Stephenson, Robinson
Substitutes not used: Bexton, Hubery
Caution: Hird
Referee: Martin Conroy
Attendance:126
