WHITLEY BAY 4 HEBBURN TOWN 5
Tuesday 17th September
Having looked completely outclassed for much of this game, Whitley staged a tremendous comeback in the final 15 minutes, scoring four times and almost snatching a point. The stirring climax raised the spirits of the fans and demonstrated the battling qualities in the team, but it could not hide the fact that Whitley started the game too slowly and committed errors that were duly punished by a fast and quick passing Hebburn side who extended their lead at the top of the table with this victory.
Craig McFarlane was out injured so with Adam Shanks unavailable, Lewis Orrell came into the side in the only change from Saturday.
This was the third time that the sides had met this season, Hebburn having won the previous two cup ties and it was the visitors who started the stronger and took the lead after 12 minutes thanks to a goalkeeping error. Steven Hubery attempted to clear the ball but struck it straight at Luke Sullivan as the striker closed in on him. The resultant rebound was seized on by the Hebburn man who slotted it into an empty net to give the visitors the lead. With 15 minutes played, a poor challenge by Tom Bexton earned the Bay defender a caution but the free kick that followed did not threaten the goal.
Hebburn doubled their lead in the 19th minute with a superb goal, Graeme Armstrong volleying the ball high into the net from a cross by Robbie Spence and giving Hubery no chance whatsoever. The pace down both flanks from the visitors was troubling the Bay defence and they were coming under considerable pressure. When Whitley broke away, Lee Kerr moved forward from midfield but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by Jennison. On the half hour, Lewis Orrell crossed from the right for the onrushing mark Robinson who burst clear but stretched to reach the ball and ballooned it over the bar.
Two goals down at the interval, Whitley needed a stronger second half performance if they were to get back in the game. They did show promise with two attacks in the first 90 seconds, half time substitute Nathan Stephenson seeing an attempt blocked inside the six yard box but then in their first attacking move of the half, Hebburn appeared to seal the points when Jack Robson clipped the ball over Hubery with ease to give his side a seemingly unassailable three goal lead.
On the hour, Armstrong had the ball in the net again but the assistant had already raised his flag for offside. Whitley were struggling to make an impact at this stage although Connor smith did get one shot on goal but Jennison made the save. Things went from bad to worse midway through the half when Hebburn scored twice in as many minutes. A touch of good luck came their way when the ball deflected off a Bay defender and into the path of Armstrong who stroked it into the corner of the net from ten yards. Two minutes later, Sullivan spotted Hubery well off his line and from the half way line struck the ball high over the keeper and into the net for a fifth goal. At this stage of the game, some Bay fans were fearing the sort of defeat that Hebburn had inflicted on Whitley twice in the last few months but the game was about to be turned on its head.
In the 77th minute, Jennison hesitated when a long ball was played over the Town defence by Lee Kerr and Mark Robinson raced on to it and slotted it home for what appeared to be no more than a consolation goal. Less than a minute later the Hebburn defence had been penetrated again with a ball played through to substitute Brad Hird who looked certain to score but dragged his shot just wide of the post.
Whitley were posing a much greater threat now and in the 82nd minute, a shot by Salmon was blocked and when a corner followed, it was not cleared and bobbled around the box before recently introduced substitute Luke Taylor poked the ball across the line to give the scoreline a degree of respectability. The drama was far from over and with two minutes remaining, Connor Smith played the ball into the box and Robinson rifled it into the net for his second and Whitley’s third goal. Amazingly, the Hebburn side who had looked in complete control only minutes earlier were now panicking and arguing amongst themselves.
One minute into stoppage time Whitley won a corner and when the ball was played in, Luke Taylor rose highest and headed home from six yards to send the home fans wild with delight as they sensed that a stunning comeback by their side might yet earn them a point.
It was now one-way traffic with Hebburn hanging on grimly. If the game had lasted another five minutes, Whitley might well have snatched a draw but their fightback had come too late and despite continued pressure, there was to be no fairytale ending and the full time whistle was greeted with relief by the Hebburn team and their fans.
With nine goals, some of which were high quality, this was a thoroughly entertaining game for any neutral, but that will come as little consolation for Whitley who really need to start picking up points.
WHITLEY BAY:Hubery, Bexton(Stephenson 46mins), Salmon, Kerr, Anderson, Graham(Taylor 73mins), Orrell(Hird 54mins), Lowery, Robinson, Spooner, Smith
Substitutes not used: Lister, Bramley
Caution: Bexton
Referee: Adam Nichol
Attendance: 311
