NEWCASTLE BENFIELD 0 WHITLEY BAY 0
Saturday 3rd December
While there were no goals in this local derby, there was still plenty of entertainment for Benfield’s biggest crowd of the season and both sides could be satisfied with a share of the spoils.
Whitley were missing five regular members of the squad due to a combination of unavailability, injury and illness but the players who took their place performed admirably, fully justifying their selection. Among the newcomers were striker Liam Brooks, signed in midweek from Alnwick, while David Hall and Kyle Patton both made the starting line up for the first time, having previously made a handful of substitute appearances.
It looked a daunting prospect against a strong Benfield side with an impressive home record home but Whitley were quickly on the attack with a header from Ross Wilkinson saved by Grainger and a shot from Tom Potter narrowly wide of the target. Dylan McEvoy brought a fine save from Tom Flynn as the hosts responded but when Whitley broke down the left wing, they won a corner from which Alex Kempster went close. The league’s top scorer Paul Brayson then tested Flynn with a shot that the Bay keeper did well to push round the post.
In Whitley’s next attack, Patton was denied when Grainger saved with his feet. Then three minutes later Benfield’s Marc Dummett played the ball back to his keeper whose attempted clearance hit Kempster and ballooned high over the keeper and looked to be heading into the net until Grainger made a desperate dive to claw the ball off the line and avoid a freak goal.
The Benfield keeper then made a brave double save from Kempster, pushing away a point blank effort following an excellent cross from Chris McDonald, but while trying to clear the ball, defender Moussa Bakhti suffered a nasty ankle injury and was unable to continue. A great piece of close control by Potter saw him cut the ball across goal from near the right by-line but Patton stretching for the ball scooped it high over the bar. There were appeals for a Bay penalty as the ball ricocheted around the goalmouth but play was allowed to continue.
Back at the other end, ex Bay defender Steve Tobin glanced a header inches over the bar before Williamson scuffed his shot after Brayson’s free kick had rebounded into his path. Two minutes before the interval, Kyle Patton had the ball in the net for Whitley but the ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
Nine minutes into the second half Kempster’s cross from the right gave Potter a chance but his shot flew narrowly past the post. Kyle Patton took a knock in the face and had to leave the field for several minutes for attention to a nose bleed.
In the 64th minute, Liam Brooks went close with a header from McDonald’s cross but the action quickly swung to the other end as Williamson made a break down the Benfield right where Ryan Keltie was cautioned for a foul just outside the 18 yard box. Brayson’s free kick was deflected behind and from the corner McDonald made a vital goal line clearance to keep out Dummett’s header.
The game was being played in a good spirit and it seemed harsh on both sides when three players were booked in the space of four minutes midway through the half.
With 20 minutes remaining, a long ball out of defence caught out the Benfield back four and Kempster raced through on goal only to be denied by Grainger racing off his line. Typical of the game, chances were coming at both ends and McDonald was once again forced into a goal line clearance from Lewis Scorgie. Flynn then made a good save from Brayson’s follow up attempt.
One of the best chances of the game for Whitley came shortly afterwards when Patton played the ball through to Potter whose low ball to the back post was almost poked into the net by substitute Jack Cooper as he raced in on goal but Benfield could breathe a sigh of relief as the ball went agonisingly wide of the upright.
Potter, who had looked impressive all game was replaced by Chris Moore for the final thirteen minutes and the former Vase winner now club coach was soon showing his pace and skill on the ball. His teasing cross from the right was headed goalwards by Kempster only for Scorgie to deflect the ball behind for a corner.
Five minutes from time Benfield missed the easiest chance of the afternoon when McCarthy crossed from the left touch line leaving Williamson with a simple finish but he somehow managed to sidefoot the ball wide of a gaping goal.
That was not the end of the drama as with two minutes remaining, Jack Cooper went down under a challenge just inside the box and it looked like a penalty but to the relief of the home side, play was waved on and the game ended all square, which in fairness to both sides was probably a true reflection of an evenly contested game.
Given the inexperience of the youthful Bay side, it was an extremely encouraging performance and manager Marc Nash was quick to praise the efforts of the players who were making their first start in Bay colours.
“I was delighted with the performance, effort and commitment from the players. I think a lot of people may have feared the worst when we set up to play the league’s in-form team with so many first team players missing. However, I had every confidence in the lads that came in. Having three players making their first start and a very young side overall there was a hunger in the team and it showed as we could easily have come away with three points. We’ve kept another clean sheet so there are many positives to take from this match. For a 0-0 draw it was a very entertaining game on a heavy surface with two teams counter attacking each other. We had two strong penalty claims and their keeper has made some good stops from Kempster and young Kyle Patton who also epitomised the team spirit by coming off his sick bed to put in a great performance.
Tom Potter was very unlucky not score but we can be thankful that for all we created, I felt that they did miss the best chance of the game late on so it’s ended in a fair result I think. Debutant Liam Brooks looked a handful and is getting used to the step up but was a thorn in their side all game along with Kyle. I was looking forward to seeing David Hall make his first start and you’d have thought he had played in there for years with such an assured display. He and Callum Anderson paired up brilliantly in the heart of midfield. I think the fans have seen a little look into the future but we are blessed we can call upon our more experienced players for the visit of the champions Shildon next week.”
WHITLEY BAY: Flynn, Munro, McDonald, Hall, Keltie, Wilkinson, Potter(Moore 77mins), Anderson, K Patton(McCarthy 87mins), Brooks(Cooper 72mins), Kempster
Referee: John Mulligan
Cautions: Keltie, Anderson
Attendance: 174
