STOCKTON TOWN 2 WHITLEY BAY 0
Wednesday 30th September
Following victories at Bishop Auckland and Sunderland RCA in their opening two Northern League games, it proved to be third time unlucky for Whitley as they were beaten 2-0 by Stockton Town on a wet night in Teesside.
Stockton were odds on favourites for promotion last season until the campaign was ended prematurely and they are clearly going to be among the front runners again this season.
Whitley gave Michael Colquhoun and Luke Taylor their first starts of the season while James Thompson was handed his full debut. Meanwhile Adam Shanks and the Weirs brothers were named among a strong looking bench.
With the rain coming down steadily, Whitley made an encouraging start and forced three corners in the opening nine minutes but without seriously troubling the home defence. Chances were at a premium with neither side able to penetrate well organised defences. Midway through the half there was a delay while Bay defender Darren Hamilton received treatment following a nasty challenge.
Just before the half hour Chris Bannon raced out to the edge of his box to clear a long ball played out of defence then five minutes later, in their best move of the half, Colquhoun and Scott Jasper combined well on the right before Stockton conceded a corner. When the flag kick was played in, Jasper produced a diving header which flew a yard past the near post.
In a surprisingly lengthy period of stoppage time, a foul on Lowery brought Whitley an opportunity with a free kick 30 yards from goal but Lewis Orrell’s ball into the box was cleared. There was little to choose between the sides in the opening half with very limited goalmouth action and everything still to play for.
After the interval, Chris Salmon replaced Hamilton who was still suffering the effects of his earlier injury. Stockton started the half in more positive fashion and for the first time in the game, Whitley were penned back in their own half. Ten minutes after the resumption, Bannon pushed a dangerous cross to the near post behind for a corner. When the ball was played into the box, Jordan Robinson’s shot was blocked but when the ball rebounded into his path, he drilled it low into the far corner of the net to give his side the lead.
Three minutes later, Whitley briefly threatened but Thompson was stopped in his tracks just outside the box. Bannon was now being kept busy and the Bay keeper made a fine save to deny Roberts midway through the half.
The next goal was going to prove crucial and it came as little surprise when the Anchors doubled their lead and effectively sealed the points with 15 minutes remaining. It was a fine individual effort from Lewis King who skipped past several challenges before slotting home from ten yards. Bannon made another good save to deny King a second goal as the hosts ended the game well on top.
WHITLEY BAY: Bannon, Lowery, Dunn(Shanks 74mins) Hennis, Hamilton(Salmon 46mins) Taylor, Colquhoun(J Weirs 62mins) Orrell, Jasper, Thompson, Coulson
Substitutes not used: Robinson, M Weirs
Cautions: None
Attendance: 150
Referee: Steven Lawson
