BILLINGHAM TOWN 2 WHITLEY BAY 0
Saturday 2nd November
Whitley were much the better side for long periods of this game but failed to convert their superiority into goals whereas Billingham Town were more clinical and made the most of the few chances that they managed to create. The frame of the goal came to the rescue of the hosts on two occasions while keeper Bradley Young pulled off some fine saves as Whitley were left frustrated and with nothing to show for their efforts.
Equally concerning as their failure to put the ball in the net was the fact that three of the teams below them picked up victories which closes the gap at the foot of the table, with six sides now separated by just three points.
It was a low key start to the game with Whitley slow to establish themselves. An error in defence almost allowed Town an early goal but Hutchinson failed to make the most of the opportunity. Gradually forcing the hosts back in defence, Whitley won three corners in rapid succession but without getting a shot on target. The first real attempt on goal came from James Martin in the 28th minute but his effort was comfortably saved low down by Young. Shortly afterwards, a shot from Spooner was deflected wide with Whitley unable to capitalise on the resultant corner. The game was now being played largely in the Billingham half with Whitley dominating possession and searching for a way through to goal but despite good approach work, the final ball was not penetrating the home defence and there was no score at the interval.
Six minutes into the second half a cross from the left eluded the home defence and Spooner’s powerful shot was only kept out by a great save from Young who got his foot the ball and knocked it wide. Young was again his side’s hero four minutes later when another Bay attack brought a point blank save as two shots were somehow kept out. Brad Hird then almost escaped the attention of a defender as he burst into the box but blazed his shot over the bar from 15 yards. A goal seemed sure to come and it did, two minutes later but unfortunately for Whitley it was at the other end. A break downfield brought a foul on the left some 30 yards from goal. When the free kick was played into the box, Dan Lister went for the ball but failed to claim it and as it ran loose, Jamie Poole seized his chance and drilled it into the net.
Coming completely against the run of play, the goal shook Whitley and the home side began to look more of a threat. A ball played across the face of goal only needed a finishing touch but fortunately from a Bay perspective it flew out of play.
Battling back in search of an equaliser, Spooner was denied when his shot crashed off the post with just under 20 minutes remaining. Four minutes later, it was Connor Smith’s turn to rue his misfortune when he latched onto a clearance and his fierce volley from 20 yards beat Young’s dive but rebounded off the angle of upright and bar.
As if to rub salt into Whitley’s wounds, Billingham grabbed a second goal in another breakaway move when dangerous striker Craig Hutchinson, who up to this stage had been well contained by the Bay defence, burst clear on the left edge of the box and drove the ball past Lister.
There was no way back for Whitley now although they had strong claims for a penalty ignored late on when substitute Craig McFarlane was brought down just inside the box.
This defeat leaves Whitley very much in need of points when they travel to Thornaby on Tuesday evening.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Smith, Martin, Anderson, Lowery, Taylor, Orrell, Spooner, Hird, Stephenson(Proctor 64mins), Robinson(McFarlane 71mins)
Substitutes not used: Doyle, Bexton, Emmerson
Caution: Stephenson
Referee: Paul Cooper
Attendance: 217
