FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
GARFORTH TOWN 0 WHITLEY BAY 3
TUESDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
Whitley returned to competitive action in dramatic style with an impressive and well deserved FA Cup victory in Yorkshire but what will live longest in the memory was the sensational opening goal scored by Adam Shanks. Starved of live football for almost six months, the fans who were lucky enough to be at Garforth for this game, witnessed a stunning overhead volley from the edge of the box that crashed off the inside of the far post and into the net. It is hard to imagine a better goal being scored all season and thanks to the home club’s video footage, the goal has already received wide acclaim by a national audience on radio and social media. In the first 24 hours after the footage of the goal was released, almost 50,000 views were recorded.
It was a largely new-look Bay side that took to the pitch with new management duo Tony Fawcett and Derek Forrest handing debuts to five summer signings, and with strikers Shanks and Scott Jasper returning to the club, it left just four of last season’s regulars in the starting eleven. The newcomers slotted in well and all played their part on the night.
The game kicked off in perfect conditions on a fine evening but the opening stages of the game were interrupted by a series of stoppages due to minor infringements by both sides. Whitley’s first attempt on goal came in the 8th minute when they were awarded a free kick around 25 yards out but Jamie Dunn fired the ball high over the bar. After both sides had attempts blocked, Whitley had a great chance to open the scoring with 14 minutes on the clock but after breaking clear down the left, Richard Coulson drove his shot inches wide of the far post. Dunn, who was involved in action at both ends of the pitch, had another effort pushed clear by keeper Wells in the 21st minute.
Garforth then had a long range effort from Denton comfortably saved by Dan Lister in the Bay goal. It was developing into a tight, evenly contested affair, but with defences holding firm, neither side was able to create clear goalscoring opportunities.
With 37 minutes played, two possible infringements in quick succession were ignored, with Garforth seeing vociferous appeals for a penalty turned down when Barker went down in the box moments after team mate Coulibaly appeared to control the ball with his hand.
Just a minute before half time came the Adam Shanks moment. Mark Robinson from out on the left, crossed the ball to the edge of the box where Shanks leapt and met the ball perfectly with an astonishing overhead kick that flew into the net off the far post. It was a magnificent goal and deservedly drew admiration even from the home players and fans.
It was the perfect tonic coming just before the interval and gave Whitley a huge boost.
Inevitably though, Garforth battled back strongly on the restart and Bay captain Craig McFarlane set the perfect example for his team mates with a well timed and crucial interception to deny Coulibaly before Dunn headed a goal bound shot behind for a corner.
Lister was in the action to save a follow up effort from a Garforth free kick then the young Bay keeper dived bravely at the feet of a Town striker to claim the ball.
Having soaked up the pressure, Whitley’s response was devastating, with two goals in four minutes leaving the hosts shell-shocked. Firstly, Richard Coulson received a ball from the right and outside the 18 yard box turned past a defender before firing home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net to put Whitley two up just before the hour.
Garforth then made a substitution taking off striker Coulibaly but before they had time to regroup, Whitley had struck again. Scott Jasper attempted to lob the keeper but his effort landed on the roof of the net then a minute later he was put through on goal and was bundled to the ground. It was an obvious penalty and Jamie Dunn, who had impressed all evening, made no mistake, beating the dive of Wells with a powerfully struck spot kick.
Three goals ahead, Whitley were now in complete control. Garforth tried to force their way back into the game but they lacked the cutting edge and Lister was rarely troubled.
Meanwhile Whitley created further openings and after Coulson had played a dangerous ball into the box, it took a vital touch by a defender to put the ball behind and deny Jasper a tap in.
Substitute Kieran Brannen, introduced late on, twice caused problems with his pace down the right, earning free kicks in threatening positions just outside the box as Whitley saw out the game with ease to earn a home tie against old rivals Dunston in the next round a week on Saturday.
The remarkable number of loyal Bay fans who had made the 100 mile trip for this cup tie gave their side a rapturous reception at the final whistle.
While Adam Shanks’ goal was the main talking point after the game, this was an excellent team performance and a perfect start for the new management team.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, McFarlane, Dunn, Hennis, Lowery, Hamilton, Robinson(Thompson 77mins), Weirs, Shanks(Orrell 67mins), Jasper(Brannen 85mins), Coulson
Substitute not used: Taylor. Caution: Lowery
Attendance: 226
