Ten years ago today, on Saturday 3rd April 2010, almost 3000 fans witnessed one of the most dramatic games ever staged at Hillheads. The FA Vase semi final against the unbeaten Midland League leaders Barwell was level after a 3-3 draw in the first leg so both sides still had every chance of making their way to Wembley. After a pre-match deluge and going a goal down inside the first minute, Whitley came back strongly with goals from Adam Johnston (pen) and Richard Hodgson to lead 2-1 after just 13 minutes. Barwell levelled with a second half penalty but Paul Robinson’s diving header in stoppage time won the game and sparked wild celebrations as Whitley earned their place at Wembley for the second year in a row.
Speaking about the game this week as enthusiastically as ever, Robbo recalled that memorable day in great detail, describing his winning goal as the best moment of his career.
“The build up was good, we were confident in having a home game to get to Wembley in front of a big crowd. We were all excited and couldn’t wait for the game to start. Less than a minute into the game we found ourselves a goal down though!! We had spoke about a fast start and getting at them and getting the crowd with us but that backfired pretty spectacularly!!
After that we settled down and started playing some good stuff. I’ve fed Adam on goal and he’s been fouled in the box and stuck the penalty away to level us up but at that point you’re not really thinking about Wembley or anything other than the game itself. They were good and carried a real threat with two top strikers but with the players we had on the pitch and also the players we had to come on we knew we would always create chances. Hodgy, who was a brilliant footballer, then got another goal and we were in front at half time and looking good.
Early into the second half they’ve had a man sent off after some neat diving from Chrissy Fawcett and we were looking even better at that point. Goal up, opposition down to 10 men and we really should of kicked on and finished the game off but we stopped playing and maybe a bit of fear and anxiety crept in and they started to come at us and equalised with about 15 minutes left so it was really game on!! They actually then had a goal disallowed for offside and that was real heart in the mouth stuff as I think it was touch and go whether he was on or not.
I had a good chance that I’d stuck over at the back post and had pretty much abandoned my position and just went out to the left wing to try and find some space and try and make something happen. I remember Reidy’s played a long free kick deep into their half and it’s found its way to Adam who was in tons of space on the right hand side of the box, I had some ground to make up to get into the box but of all the players to be on the ball at that moment, Adam was the man, he’s held onto the ball for a bit and dinked in an inch perfect cross and I’ve just threw myself at it, got good connection on it and it’s flew into the bottom corner and that feeling was incredible, indescribable. God knows how players feel when they score a last minute goal in the Premier League or Champions League! In terms of moments it was the best moment I’ve had and I’ve still not beat it and doubt I ever will at 36.
Brilliant, brilliant day and the celebrations after in the Seahorse then all of us out into Whitley Bay after will live with me and the lads forever. If I could go back and relive one match it would be that one! I loved every single second of them times with brilliant people!”
Also in the Bay side that day were two youngsters very much part of the current squad, Craig McFarlane now club captain, who played the full game, and Callum Anderson was used a substitute. These are some of Craig’s memories of that epic game:
“I remember leading up to the game and turning up at the ground, there was already a congregation of fans around the ground and in good spirits hours before kick off. It was a sunny day (initially) with no wind, Perfect day for football and it was as though the day had been set up especially for us and everything was going to go our way, which it did.
Going into the game we were very confident given the fact we finished the 1st leg very strong. Of course, not having Coulson & Belly available for the 2nd leg due to injury was a massive blow for us, however it gave us even more determination to do it not only for us but them as well.
I remember being sat in the changing rooms quite early before kick-off to allow myself to take in the occasion and get my mind fully on the game ahead. The changing room was bouncing and there was a great feeling around the room which got me thinking that today was going to be a special day. Prior to going out onto the pitch, I remember the flood gates opened and the pitch was completely waterlogged and at one point the game looked in doubt. We got off to the worst possible start, conceding possession straight from the kick off and giving them a goal after about 30 seconds which put us under the cosh immediately, something we spoke about not doing in the changing rooms. Shortly after, the referee awarded us a penalty which Adam Johnston put away comfortably. The game was very tight from start to finish, both teams creating chances which undoubtedly could have led to either side winning the game. I remember the last 10 minutes being tense and the atmosphere at this point was even more electric and in all honesty got me through those last 10 minutes as I was running on empty, and when Robbo scored with almost the last kick of the game, I just remember the roar of the crowd and as some people may say “Limbs everywhere”.
It still brings Goosebumps back now thinking about it. It was one of them moments that happened so fast because just before that, Barwell had just scored but it was ruled out for offside. I remember Johnno (Adam Johnston) running down the right wing and put a perfect cross into the box that met Robbo’s head who diverted the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net. The scenes from then on were just surreal, 1. Robbo of all people had just scored with his head, 2. It was pretty much the last kick of the game. I just remember sprinting across the pitch to the far corner and jumping on what was already a 6-man pile on which soon become 18.
It’s hard to compare it against the Lowestoft win (the year before) as they were very much different in the way it happened. The Lowestoft game felt like a massive relief being down to 10 men for pretty much 70 minutes, whereas Barwell it was a moment of ecstasy because of how fast it happened.”
For a fan’s perspective on the game, we spoke to long time supporter and the man behind the PA microphone, Mick Thompson.
“It was a great day that, I remember being on the microphone. That day we stood in the tunnel so we could get a better view of subs etc. I didn’t have a great view for the first goal but then moved up to back of the stand – it was packed. When Robbo got the winner with that epic diving header, the place went mad. I had to try and compose myself to announce the scorer. I bellowed out ‘Whitley Bay goalscorer Paul Robinson’ in a loud and prolonged joyful voice.
I remember moving into the ‘Pieon Kop’ with the mic at the final whistle. Big Gerry Leteve (a great character now sadly missed) grabbed the mic and bellowed “Wemberleee, wemberlee,” then just random folk cheering and celebrating, players diving in mud. Then Leon said a few words. Memorable day it was.!!”
Read the full match report with the camera icon link to match photos and scenes of celebration after the final whistle.
