It was ten years ago today, on the road to the first of their three consecutive Wembley triumphs, that Whitley won their FA Vase 3rd Round tie at Penrith. Twice the game was postponed because the Southend Road pitch was waterlogged so it meant a Wednesday night trip to Cumbria, where the only goal of the game was scored by substitute Darren Reay in the 11th minute of extra time.
Here are Darren’s memories of that night:
“I don’t remember a lot to be honest, I think it was one of the last games at their old ground, and there was a lot of Bay fans down there for a Wednesday night as we travelled down on a bus I think. It was a fairly tight game I think. Half time me and a few the lads were shooting and I scored a few from outside the box, I was saying to one the lads I’m sure it was Chowey “when I get on I’ll score tonight” just joking really because I played a lot deeper. So when I got my chance being late in the game, normally I would of passed it but it just sat up well and I struck it well. To be honest I couldn’t believe I scored it myself. But I’m glad it proved to be a big moment along the way to reach the final.”
