WHITLEY BAY 1 SUNDERLAND RCA 2
Saturday 7th March
For the second week in a row, Whitley were beaten by a last minute goal after scoring first and holding the lead for much of the game.
As at Shildon seven days earlier, Whitley should have taken at least a point from the game but failure to capitalise on their chances proved costly as the visitors fought back and snatched a late winner.
The game got underway with Whitley having a noticeable breeze on their backs but it was the visitors who created the first chance inside two minutes when Dylan Elliott clipped the ball over the bar. Coleby Shepherd broke away upfield and played the ball through to Michael Colquhoun, but the young striker, back in the starting eleven after coming off the bench at Shildon, was denied a shot on target by a timely tackle from Leonard.
Back at the other end, Elliott went close in the 17th minute with a shot that clipped the outside of the post. Whitley responded with Fairley attacking down the left and when he crossed from the wing, Andre Bennett’s powerfully struck 20 yard shot was saved by RCA keeper Robert Dean.
Whitley took the lead in the 26th minute when Bennett collected the ball on the left, advanced almost to the by-line before playing it across the face of goal where Colquhoun raced in ahead of his marker to slot home from close range. An effort from Fairley just past the half hour was blocked at the near post but play was becoming rather scrappy with passes frequently going astray.
Six minutes before the interval, Shepherd intercepted a half clearance by the RCA captain Swansbury and looked to have a great chance but his effort was blocked. The ball ran loose for Colquhoun to drill home but the goal celebrations were cut short with the assistant’s flag raised for offside.
With only a one goal lead, there was everything to play for in the second half and it soon became apparent that Whitley’s task would be made more difficult as the wind steadily increased in strength.
Both sides threatened in the opening minutes, Davis delivering a dangerous low cross into the Bay goalmouth where Lister dived to gather the ball ahead of O’Neill. Barely 30 seconds later, Whitley might have extended their lead when James martin played a long ball through to Fairley who broke clear on the right edge of the penalty area but he drove his shot just beyond the far post.
Midway through the half, Whitley conceded a free kick some 25 yards out and using the wind to his advantage, Elliott struck an excellent shot beyond the reach of Lister into the top corner of the net to level the score.
Almost immediately after the restart, substitute Lewis Orrell received the ball from fellow sub Craig McFarlane, advanced on the RCA goal before striking a shot that flew narrowly over the bar.
Five minutes later a rather cynical challenge stopped Colquhoun in his tracks just as he was breaking clear of the RCA defence but the greater threat was now coming from the visitors. Whitley were struggling to adapt to the conditions, playing high balls which blew straight back at them rather than attempting to keep the ball on the ground.
Thirteen minutes from time, Craig McFarlane had a great chance to put Whitley back in front when he collected a header from Taylor and burst clear on goal with only Dean to beat but the keeper pulled off a great save, one which was to prove crucial.
The strong wind and low sun were conspiring to make life difficult for Whitley and they were being increasingly pegged back in their own half. A late attack down the right saw McFarlane work his way into the box but he appeared to be harshly penalised when he seemed to be the victim of a foul.
It looked as if Whitley would claim a deserved share of the spoils but then in the final minute of normal time, a cross from the right by Davis eluded almost everyone but was played back across goal where O’Neill headed home to secure a last gasp victory for the Ryhope side, despite stoppage time pressure from Whitley.
It was due in part to the conditions that this game did not provide great entertainment for the fans, but Whitley need to be more clinical and stop conceding late goals as it is costing them crucial points.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Bexton, Martin, Bennett(Orrell 53mins) Taylor, Lowery, Fairley(McFarlane 66mins), Anderson, Colquhoun, Robinson, Shepherd(Davison 76mins)
Substitutes not used: Jennison, Olsen
Caution: McFarlane
Referee: Stephen Dial
Attendance: 342
