Match Report By Julian Tyley

A late equaliser denied Whitley what would have been a third successive victory at Croft Park in what turned out to be an entertaining friendly on Saturday.

After an early scare when Blyth were awarded a free kick just outside the box following a foul by David Coulson, Whitley quickly took control of the game. A mistake by Andrew Leeson, whose back pass to his keeper was woefully short, was seized on by Phil Bell who advanced on goal before firing past James Debbage to give Whitley a fifth minute lead.

The home side looked particularly shaky in defence and only an offside flag saved them six minutes later when Paul Chow was put clear on goal. Ten minutes later, Chow was not to be denied when Debbage received a back pass and tried to dribble the ball but was dispossessed by the Bay striker who then slotted the ball into an empty net.

There was delight among the Whitley players and their fans, but the Spartans' supporters, who had gained a degree of notoriety for their passionate support during last season’s FA Cup run, were somewhat subdued. Shortly before the half hour, Bell, who had a spell at Blyth early last season, shot just wide of goal from a cross by Adam Johnston.

The situation frustrated the home side and both Chris McCabe and Steven Turnbull were guilty of bad challenges that in a competitive game would surely have earned at least yellow cards.

The home fans were roused with 34 minutes on the clock when Blyth reduced the arrears through Ian Graham following good work by Robbie Dale. Whitley had a chance to restore their two goal advantage three minutes before half time when Lee Kerr was played clear through the fragile Spartans defence but Debbage made amends for earlier errors with a good save.

After the interval Whitley made a series of changes, firstly with Picton and Moore replacing Hodgson and Bell. Four changes were made soon after, one of them enforced when Phil Hogg, deputising in goal for the unavailable Terry Burke left the field unwell and without a recognised keeper on the bench, Phil Bell took over in goal. Bell was not totally unfamiliar with the role as he had previously taken the keeper’s gloves in an emergency during an FA Vase tie at Esh Winning two years ago.

One of the substitutes, Chris Fawcett, almost scored within three minutes of coming onto the pitch when he chipped the ball over Debbage from 20 yards out on the left, but the keeper, now showing much more composure, leapt to grab the ball at full stretch and prevent a certain goal.

The save seemed to inspire the home side and five minutes later, they levelled the score when Dale curled a fine shot beyond the diving Bell into the far corner of the net.

Back came Whitley and barely three minutes later, they were back in front after Chris Moore’s perfectly placed cross was headed home by Paul Chow.

It looked as if this would give Whitley their third win at Croft Park in three years but six minutes from time, Blyth snatched an equaliser when Simon Reay produced a close range finish from Webster’s cross.

Despite the final score, Whitley more than matched their local rivals, and on the evidence of this friendly, it was hard to believe that there was three divisions difference between the sides.

WHITLEY BAY: Hogg, Robson, McFarlane, Hodgson, Coulson, Reid, Johnston, Kerr, Chow, Bell, Robinson. Second half substitutes: Picton, Moore, Reay, Fawcett, Anderson.

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