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Click on the opposition name to read the Match Report. Home matches are in capitals.
| Pre-season | |||||
| July | |||||
| Sunday 24th | To follow | ||||
| To follow | |||||
| Sunday 31st | |||||
| August | |||||
| 1pm Sunday 7th | Friendly | Home | SUNDERLAND | 0-1 | |
| Whitley played host to Premier League Champions, Sunderland and both sides suffered from absences due to holidays and other commitments. To be fair, Sunderland were missing more First team regulars than their Coast opponents, but it was two very competitive sides that took the field. It was the first match for new Whitley manager Gaz Lee and he looked forward to seeing his new charges in a full scale match. Sunderland won the game 1-0 and it could have been more if not for the brilliance of Catherine Clough in the home net. However, Whitley did create a few chances of their own and a good workout was had by all. | |||||
| 8.30pm Tuesday 9th | Friendly | Away | Newcastle United | 2-0 | Ord, O'Brien S |
| Whitley made the short journey to Coach Lane to take on Combination side Newcastle in the second pre-season friendly. Whitley took a large squad to give Manager Gaz Lee a look at a wide range of available players. It was end to end stuff and the early exchanges were even, without either keeper being tested. Whitleys opened the scoring as Steph Ord headed home at the far post and they took a 2-0 lead into the interval when Steph O'Brien scored a 35 yard screamer. Newcastle came out strongly in the second half, without making a breakthrough, and with the game won, Whitley made numerous changes to give everyone a run out, even utilising the sub keeper in midfield then up front. Thanks to Newcastle for hosting the match and best of luck to them for the forthcoming season | |||||
| Sunday 14th | Friendly | Away | Birtley Phoenix | 3-3 | Redhead, Bentley, Mellor |
| To follow | |||||
| 7pm Thursday 18th | Friendly | Away | Durham City | 2-1 | Hunter, Redhead |
| Whitley played their final pre-season friendly on 3G against Durham City. The first half saw a great display by Whitley as they dominated possession, but a mixture of some solid Durham defending and wayward final pass saw the score restricted to 2-0 at the break. The first was a header from Kirsty Hunter and the second was lashed home by Emma Redhead from a scramble at a corner. The second half saw a determined display by Durham and they were rewarded with a goal to make the final score 2-1 to Whitley. A good all round display, some different formations tried and a good workout by all. | |||||
| Sunday 21st | |||||
| League and Cup matches | |||||
| Sunday 28th | League Cup | Home | ST FRANCIS 2000 | 11-1 | O'Brien S, Ord, Suddes 3, Kay 2, Darmody 2, O'Brien A, Hunter |
| Whitley Bay eased into the next round of the League Cup with a comprehensive win against St francis 2000 at a blustery Hillheads. Whitley were three up in ten minutes as first Steph O'Brien fired home a great free kick from fully 40 yards out. Then Jo Suddes finished froma Steph Ord cross and then Ord herself took a left foot free kick from way out near the right hand side, easily 50 yards from goal which flew in for a spectacular effort. For 4-0, Steph O'Brien played a great diagonal ball to Rachel Kay who took it in her stride and knocked a great finish over the keeper. Then started some great wing play and crossing as Kim Pye crossed for Suddes to finish and then Suddes crossed for Amy O'Brien to finish. At 6-0 at half time, playing against the wind, the anticipated St Francis fightback did not materialise and Whitley quickly added to their score when Rachel Mellor crossed for Laura Darmody to finish then Steph O'Brien crossed for Suddes to claim her hat-trick and 8-0 to the Bay. St Francis gained some consolation when Sian Williams cut in from the left and crashed a great rising shot into the roof of the net. However, Whitley weren't finished as Suddes twice more became the provider firstly to substitute Kirsty Hunter who scored with a nice control and finish and then to Darmody for her second of the game. Whitley finished the scoring at 11-1 when Kim Pye capped a fine display with a great pass to Kay who ran through to slot home. Stand-in Manager Colin Phillips was delighted with the performance 'We played some exeptional football and St Francis had no answer to our pace and finishing which was brilliant' | |||||
| September | |||||
| Sunday 4th | League | Home | HESSLE | 12-8 | Darmody 2, O'Brien A 6, Kay 2, O'Brien S, Suddes |
| The first League game of the season saw a vibrant Whitley Bay take part in a freak opening to their League campaign. It took only 11 minutes for last season top scorer Amy O’Brien to open her account for the season giving Whitley the lead, which was soon doubled by Centurion Laura Darmody on 16 minutes, only for Hessle to respond instantly. This set the tone for the remainder of the first half which saw the score at the interval standing at 8-4, with goals from Jo Suddes, Steph O’Brien , Rachel Kay, Darmody and Amy O’Brien scoring twice to claim a 1st half hat-trick. The second half saw Whitley Bay come out looking slightly more stable maintaining possession and starting to press Hessle as a unit. This sustained pressure was rewarded with Amy O’Brien adding to her tally with quick fire brace in the 50th and 55th minute of the game. However a resolute Hessle complimented by a slip of concentration and pressure from Whitley Bay saw them continue to try and claw their way back in to the game and the game reverted back to the tit for tat style seen in the 1st half. Amy O’Brien rounded off a great individual performance with a delightful chip over the keeper to claim her 6th of the match, before Kay rounded off the scoring with her second of the game. As the game came to a climax it saw Whitley keeper Catherine Clough save a dubiously given penalty before the full time whistle was blown on an eventful game. Head Coach Gaz Lee said “It wasn’t the start I had planned to my Whitley Bay career; however we will take the 3 points and move on from this bizarre opening game. The positives from today’s performance have shown that we can create and convert chances however it was disappointing to see us concede 8 goals when we have demonstrated in pre-season that we are normally a tough unit to break down.” The game was over shadowed by the injury to Centre Back Emma Redhead, who was taken to hospital after 30 minutes with an injury to her left knee. We at Whitley Bay wish Emma a speedy recovery and will do everything to support her during this time. | |||||
| Sunday 11th | League | Away | York City | 1-1 | O'Brien A |
| Whitley Bay played very good football for 90 minutes and dominated a strong York side. Unlike last week Whitley managed to keep hold of the ball and dictated the tempo of the game and controlled it. They settled in to their rhythm after about 5 minutes with York’s only real threats coming from their tall centre forward and their quick left winger. However great work from Steph Ord and a combination of Jo Suddes and Brooke Cochrane managed to nullify this threat. The combination of Steph O’Brien alongside Julie Twaddle as the two defensive mid-fielders where the heartbeat of the team, breaking down York’s play early on and then changing the tempo of the game to cut through the York defence. Even after 40 minutes of total dominance and playing total football York hit on the counter attack with a long ball over the top where their hard working centre forward Vicky Back managed to roll Steph Ord and bear down on goal. A combination of Catherine Clough in the Whitley goal, Steph Ord and Brooke Cochrane did well to squeeze her out and force her in to an early shot which Clough saved, however the rebound fell back to the forwards feet who slotted it in The second half saw Whitley continue with positive dominant football and they were rewarded early on with Amy O’Brien scoring a close range effort after great work down the right from Steph O’Brien who received a throw in and took three out of the game with her mesmerising close control before passing a lovely weighted pass across the 6 yard box for Amy to slot home. Whitley’s dominance continued throughout the second hard and they kept searching for the second goal which would have wrapped up the three points but it didn’t come. Head Coach Gaz Lee said ‘I am pleased with the manner we played this game, it was vast improvement compared to last week. We looked like the Whitley Bay I have seen during pre season friendlies, we just need to continue in this manner and be consistent over the season’ | |||||
| Sunday 18th | League | Home | CASTLEFORD WHITE ROSE | 3-1 | O'Brien A, 2, Bentley |
| This match saw a sluggish start to the game for Whitley Bay, who found it hard to settle in to their rhythm for the first 20 minutes, this gave Castleford a hint of a opportunity as they started very brightly seeing much of the ball in the opening minutes of the encounter. It wasn’t long until Whitley regained their focus and settled in to their short sharp passing style and started to turn the screw searching for the opening goal of the game. Whitley Bay saw the best of the early chances go begging with the Castleford goalkeeper making a string of good saves and some of the Whitley players just finding their range after narrowly missing the target. Whitley Bay had a great claim for a penalty turned down by the match day official for what seemed a deliberate handball, however not long after this The Bay lasses took the lead after great play between Julie Twaddle, Jen Fairhurst and Nikki Smith saw the Bay launch a counter attack, moving from the bottom right hand corner of the pitch playing short sharp passes around the Castleford midfield, when Nikki Smith played a delightful cross field ball to Kate St Louis who took the ball in her stride and drove towards goal, her shot was saved and the rebound fell to Amy O'Brien, who continued in her rich goal scoring form to slot home opening the scoring. Not long after Whitley Bay made it 2-0 after increasing the pressure on the Castleford midfield. This time Amy O’Brien converted again after she followed in Steph O’Briens low driven cross/shot that the goalkeeper parried in to her path. Just before half time Castleford caught a napping Whitey bay on the counter attack to make it 2-1 just before the break. The second half saw a dominant Whitley Bay come out and over power Castleford for the remaining 45 minutes of the match. Even with them being dominant at times Whitley became wasteful in front of goal squandering a plethora of good chances to put the game out of sight, and it wasn't until good pressure from the whole team forced Castleford all the way back to their goalkeeper when Emma Bentley continued to pressure and closed down the goalkeepers kick which rebounded off her and went in the net. Coach Gaz Lee said " I am really pleased with the effort shown today by all the players at the club, as with having 11 players absent was a difficult task, and both squads gave 100% effort. In regards to the Castleford game we have to work on hitting the ground running and finishing our chances, as once we get in to our rhythm of playing it’s shown we can dominate teams and create genuine goal scoring opportunities. | |||||
| Sunday 25th | League | Away | Peterlee | P-P | |
| October | |||||
| Sunday 2nd | FA Cup | Home | KENDAL TOWN | 8-1 | St Louis 3, Bentley 2, O'Brien A 2, Darmody |
| Sunday saw the welcome return of the FA Cup and a clinical Whitley Bay. The game got off to a flying start with Emma Bentley applying a smart finish after 4 minutes after great work by Jo Suddes playing in a more central position. In the next 20 minutes Whitley Bay scored another 3 goals, the second being a brilliant solo goal from Kate St Louis running from inside her own half to slot home under the keeper, a great defence splitting ball played by Bentley unleashed Amy O’Brien to score her first of the game, before Bentley getting her second. Just before half time saw Whitley strike again with goals from St Louis and Laura Darmody The second half saw the bay continue to play great football with OBrien and St Louis rounding off the scoring. A determined Kendal scored managed to pull one back, but the brilliant start from Whitley Bay was too much for them to handle. | |||||
| Sunday 9th | League | Home | SHEFFIELD UNITED | 2-4 | St Louis, Suddes |
| After starting off well by taking the lead through Jo Suddes, Whitley didn't seem to continue and settle in their normal rhythm and 8 minutes later Sheffield United drew level. With the wind taking its toll and an out of sorts Whitley not firing Sheffield soon took the lead on 30 minutes only for Kate St Louis to continue her rich vein of goal scoring form to equalise on 33 minutes. However with Sheffield taking advantage of the conditions and Whitley’s bad day at the office they score two more before the half was done. Whitley started brightly after the break however they flattered to deceive and Sheffield’s resolute defending made the task of getting back in to the game difficult and they saw the game out. | |||||
| Sunday 16th | County Cup | Home | LOWICK | 5-1 | Bentley, Darmody, O'Brien A 2, Ord |
| This game saw the return of the County Cup to Hillheads with Whitley Bay playing hosts to Lowick. The game got off to a rapid start with the fresh young Lowick side looking to giant kill a revitalised Bay looking to bounce back from the previous weeks defeat. Whitley took the lead through Emma Bentley who latched on to a pass from Kate St Louis to slot home on 17 minutes. Soon after Laura Darmody doubled the lead after great work down the right from Rachel Kay. The second half followed the same pattern of the first with Amy O’Brien coming off the bench to score a brace, the second goal being a peach of a header from a Julie Twaddle corner. The game was given an injection of life when Lowick scored giving them brief hope. This hope was shattered when Steph Ord curled in a great free kick in to the top corner to wrap up the game. | |||||
| Sunday 23th | FA Cup | Away | Abbeytown | 3-1 | Twaddle 2, Coleman L |
| Today saw the return of the FA cup and Whitley Bay where hoping to be in Monday's draw for the next round. The opposition were last year’s Cumbrian league winners Abbeytown who, having home advantage were eying an upset The upset nearly materialised as Abbeytown frustrated a lacklustre Whitley Bay for the vast majority of the first half before taking the lead through a header from a corner. This could have been two if it wasn't for a smart save from Jemma Myhill, making her debut in the Whitley goal This seemed to spark the Bay in to life and after great pressure for the last 10 minutes of the 1st half Julie twaddle scored from close range. The second half saw a rejuvenated Whitley Bay come out all guns blazing and within 2 minutes of the restart they took the lead via a brilliant strike from Lisa Coleman. With their opponents tiring but staying strong Twaddle score a beautiful curling shot in to the bottom right hand corner rounding off a great display by the Bay's skipper. The score line could have been greater if it wasn't for the Abbytown keeper who pulled off a string of good saves to prevent Twaddle from sealing her hat-trick. So Whitley were in the hat for the next round and have been drawn at home to Middlesbrough | |||||
| Sunday 30th | League | Home | GUISELEY | 1-2 | O'Brien S |
| Whitley Bay were too slow out of the blocks and failed to dominate play from the off, This allowed Guiseley to dictate the tempo of play and it was only a matter of time before they would score. In fact the visitors went into the interval 2-0 up The second half was a much improved performance from Whitley, and they had the majority of possession but didn't take the chances that were created. Great use of both wingers, and overlapping runs from fullbacks, also passes into midfield then back out wide caused Guisely problems as the Bay started to dictate the tempo of the game and stamp some authority on it. The return of Steph O’Brien from injury was a highlight of the match with her capping off a good performance with a determined drive from midfield resulting in her goal. This acted as a catalyst for Whitley to apply substantial pressure in the last 10 minutes of the game, having chances to not only a snatch a point but possibly win the match. | |||||
| November | |||||
| Sunday 6th | League | Away | Barnsley | 4-2 | o.g, O'Brien A, Twaddle, Gorman |
| Sunday saw a return to form for Whitley after suffering a shock home defeat. The Bay turned up to their bogey ground with a determination to kick start the league campaign with a win against Barnsley. Things couldn't have got off to a worse start for the Bay as within 2 minutes a long ball over the top saw Laura Humphries burst through to slot home for Barnsley. This was slightly unfortunate as the poor pitch conditions made the oncoming Bay keeper Jemma Myhill loose her footing and slip as the forward rushed through This sparked the bay in to life and the 8 minute saw them draw level through a own goal. 15 minutes saw Barnsley's Laura Humphries claim her second of the match nipping in front of both the keeper and full back to poke home a low driven cross. For the remainder of the 1st half Whitley probed and pushed for another goal but to no avail. The second half saw Whitley bay dominate creating chance after chance, while withstanding an aerial assault from the now camped out home team. The bay got their just rewards when skipper Julie Twaddle fire in a wicked free kick bouncing straight in to get Whitley back on level terms. Shortly after this Jemma Myhill made a smart save keeping the Bay in the game and this inspired her team mates to continue with their dominance. A penalty from Amy O’Brien and a sensational strike from Charlie Gorman wrapped up the 3 points for the Bay and kick started their League campaign. | |||||
| Sunday 13th | FA Cup | Home | MIDDLESBROUGH | 2-3 | Ord, Kay |
| The return of the FA cup saw the return of the sluggish starts Whitley bay have been experiencing of late. Within two minutes The Bay found themselves 1-0 down to Middlesbrough, after they failed to clear a long searching ball resulting in Boro taking a shot which was parried in to the path of the unmarked striker who headed in to the empty net. This kick-started Whitley in to action and from then on in they looked like the team from the higher division probing and searching for gaps to get back on level terms. The breakthrough came on 25 minutes when Amy O’Brien drew a foul on the edge of the box and Steph Ord unleashed a free kick in to the back of the net looping over Boro’s keeper. Whitley continued for the remainder of the half looking to establish a lead however decision making in the final third seemed to be the down fall. The half time whistle came at the wrong time for the Bay as they had Middlesbrough on the ropes. This break in play allowed Boro to refocus and within 4 minutes of the restart they regained the lead after a strike from 20 yards evaded the Whitley keeper and found its way into the net. Whitley who had been structurally strong all game continued to probe and look to get a result from this game however the magic of the FA cup was lacking with the Bay missing a hat full of chances from corners as well has having a strong penalty claim turned down. On 70 minutes Boro broke down our left they flashed a shot across to the near post that was punched into the recovering defender, bouncing off her into the net. This took the wind out of Bay’s sails until a tireless Rachel Kay followed up a parried shot to slot home making it 3-2 with the final minutes to play. This gave Whitley the zest needed to push for an equaliser, sensing the game could be turned around, however time was against them and the match finished 3-2. Whitley would like to wish Middlesbrough the best of luck in the next round | |||||
| Sunday 20th | League | Home | PETERLEE | 3-0 | Suddes, Twaddle, O'Brien A |
| This week saw a hungry Whitley Bay face Peterlee eager to put right last week’s exit from the FA cup. In unfamiliar style it was Whitley who stormed to an early goal with Amy O’Brien setting up Jo Suddes for the opening goal of the game after within 2 minutes of the start. Suddes drove in from the right hand side of the box to meet Amy's pass driving a low shot in the back of the net from a tight angle. This was the sign of things to come after Whitley weathered the Peterlee storm and Jemma Myhill pulling off some notable saves to keep the Bay on course. Just before the half was up Whitley where two nil to the good after skipper Julie twaddle slotted home after a good team build up. The second half saw Whitley Bay come out looking to but the game beyond their visitors. However some great last ditch defending prevented the flood gates opening. After continuously knocking on the door Whitley finally added a third when Amy O’Brien converted from Julie Twaddle cross. Again the Bay where unlucky not to have scored more goals as they looked to capitalise on a tiring Peterlee. The final score stayed at 3-0 Coach Gaz Lee said “I am delighted at the manner the girls approached the 2nd half, at half time they weren't happy with how they played and wanted to go out and show what they are capable of. " I must also stress how excellent the back 5 where and a special mention to Lisa Coleman who played out of position for most of the game and gave her all for the team, she was an example of our determination and will to get the right result today.” | |||||
| Sunday 27th | League | Away | Hull City | 2-4 | Darmody, Coleman L |
| Whitley travelled to top of the table Hull City and once again started slowly when they failed to deal with a long ball and their striker drilled in a shot that caught the keeper off guard and bounced off her arm underneath her and in to the net. The response was positive and settling in to our rhythm we were back on terms shortly after when Nat Parker beat the offside trap and played in Laura Darmody to score. Again failure to deal with the long ball in the blustery conditions saw Hull take the lead will a venomous volley leaving Jemma Myhill in the Whitley net with no chance. Just before halftime Whitley were given a boost when they had a player harshly sent off and from then on in it was all Whitley Bay. Half time gave Hull time to regroup. Second half saw the Bay come out with real purpose and belief probing away at the Hull City bus that was now parked in their half. Hull got a lucky break which was arguably offside. As their forward ran through on goal the ball was lost under control and it looked it would cleared however their forward carried on her run closing down the kick which bounced off her in to the net. Whitley stuck to their game plan and were reward when Lisa Coleman converted after great work from Rachel Kay But again they caught out with the long ball allowing Hull to round off the game with 4 goals. Whitley coach Gaz Lee said ‘Overall I am happy with the way we played right to the end. And thought we should have won the game’ | |||||
| December | |||||
| Sunday 4th | League | Away | Hessle | 1-3 | Darmody |
| Yesterday saw Whitley Bay travel to the Hull area again this week to face Hessle and again leaving without the points. With the Bay looking to build on their good performance last week spirits where high and thoughts where focused on kicking on in the league. However when the match begun it was like a different team had ambushed the Bay in between the changing rooms and setting foot on the pitch. An off the boil Whitley soon found themselves 1-0 when Hessle's centre forward raced clear to slot home. This seemed to kick The Bay in to gear with Laura Darmody scoring for the second time in Hull to get us back on level terms. The Bay enjoyed a good 5 minute spell with Emma Bentley hitting the post and the referee ruling a spilled shot hadn't crossed the line as well as overlooking a strong penalty shout. This disrupted Whitley and shortly Hessle regained the lead, as the Bay continued to play themselves in to trouble. After a stern half time talk, Whitley came out looking determined to rectify there poor first half display. The second half saw Whitley looking after the ball better and with tireless captain Julie Twaddle dragging the team by the scruff of the neck. However Hessle continues to be fruitful from a wasteful Whitley they slotted home a 3rd. Coach Gaz lee said "Obviously it's never easy when you lose, however it's harder to accept when the performance was un-Whitley like. However we must look at the positives we have two home games before Christmas and a couple of games in hand that we must win to propel us up the league. The reaction of the girls is another positive as they don't want to play or feel like they did after the final whistle. | |||||
| Sunday 11th | League | Home | YORK CITY | 0-1 | |
| Yesterday saw a shock defeat for Whitley Bay against second placed York. Whitley started the brighter looking the more threatening of the two teams with Amy O’Brien and Emma Bentley testing the keeper early on. As the half ticked away Whitley bay continued to huff and puff but the York City door with stood the pressure being expertly supplied by both wingers, Rachel Kay and Laura Darmody, whose cross come shot clipped the top of the bar nearly breaking the deadlock. However against the run of play York took the lead, after latching on to a long ball and rolling the ball home just before the stroke of half time. The second half saw the game open up as Whitley searched for the goals they very much deserved and York looking to extend their lead by catching the Bay on the counter attack; however York stood firm to take all 3 points. | |||||
| Sunday 18th | League | Home | HULL CITY | P-P | Pitch frozen |
| Sunday 25th | NO GAME | MERRY CHRISTMAS | |||
| January 2012 | |||||
| Sunday 1st | NO GAME | HAPPY NEW YEAR | |||
| Sunday 8th | League | Home | ST FRANCIS | 7-0 | Bentley 4, Kay, Ord, O'Brien A |
| Whitley Bay eased into 2012 with a comprehensive win against St Francis 2000 at Hillheads. Whitley were three up at half time, with Emma Bentley opening the scoring after 4 minutes, Bentley then doubled Whitley's lead on 24 minutes before Amy O'Brien made it three just before half time. This score line flattered the opposition as Whitley bay should have been out of sight by half time, narrowly missing the target on numerous occasions as well as competing against dubious offside calls preventing them extending the lead at the half. Amy O'Brien also had a perfectly good goal chalked off for offside, which baffled everyone in the Whitley camp. The second half saw Whitley come out with more hunger and fire in their belly, looking to make sure the score line reflected the one sided nature of this game. Goals from the tireless Rachel Kay and two more goals for Emma Bentley saw Whitley asserting their dominance in this game. Whitley continued to push looking dangerous on every attack the launched at a tiring and outclassed St Francis and defensive rock Steph Ord completed the scoring with a bullet header on 90 minutes. Again 8-0 complimented the opposition as Whitley narrowly missed a number of chances again in the second half failing to extend the score line even more. Manager Gaz Lee was delighted with the performance 'We played some exceptional football and St Francis had no answer to our pace and passing which was brilliant, however we need to be more ruthless in our finishing as we missed too many clear cut opportunities' he went on to praise the determination and professional job Whitey carried out stating ' It was nice finally to combine our good performance with a win at last, at the end of 2011 we lost a number of games where we were the better side, finally the hard work is starting the pay off and we still have our sight on prpelling up the league in 2012.' | |||||
| Sunday 15th | League | Away | Peterlee | P-P | Frozen pitch |
| Sunday 22nd | League | Away | St Francis | 2-2 | O'Brien A, Ord |
| Today saw a sluggish Whitley Bay resume action after a week's lay off due to weather conditions and even though today was considerably warmer the weather still caused problems with the combination of blinding sunshine and blustery winds made playing on the open pitch at Hartlepool difficult for both teams. A lacklustre first half didn't see much action until an outstanding double save from Jemma Myhill kept the game on even terms going in to the second half. The second half saw Whitley Bay come out with a bit of gumption and after great work down the left hand-side from Rachel Kay, saw her shot parried by the St Francis keeper in to the path of Amy O'Brien who arrived to slot the ball home. Like the Whitley's new found gumption their lead didn't last long with St Francis drawing level after converting a cross from the right hand side. This gave the home side extra wind in their sales and they took the lead shortly after when they followed up a saved shot to fire the ball past Jen Fairhurst recovering on the line. This fired the Bay in to life and drew level after Steph Ord headed home Nikki Smith's inch perfect corner, St Francis parked the bus and looked like they had settled for the point frustrating Whitley Bay who had a chance to win it late on. | |||||
| Sunday 29th | League | Home | SCUNTHORPE | 4-4 | Bentley 2, O'Brien A 2 |
| Yesterday saw a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Whitley Bay. Against the conditions and elements the first 45 minutes saw Whitley Bay play high quality football often only seen at the Camp Nou and storm in to a 3-0 lead with only 41 minutes on the clock. Goals from Amy O'Brien and a brace from Emma Bentley put a dominant Whitley streets ahead of Scunthorpe. Great combination play between Bentley and O'Brien saw the deadlock broken on 15 minutes. It was then the turn for Bentley to turn provider drawing 3 defenders to square the ball to an unmarked O'Brien to make it 2. Whitley increase the pressure on the visitors with Laura Darmody breaking down the right to narrowly miss out on adding her name to the scoresheet. Whitley's flying winger Rachel Kay turned in another great performance to provide the cut back for Bentley to double her tally. The perfect half was in sight for Whitley Bay until against the run of play Scunthorpe scored to give them hope going in to half-time. The second half saw a turn in the weather and more worryingly a u turn in Whitley's performance. In the space of 15 minutes a rejuvenated Scunthorpe pegged back Whitley Bay through a penalty and a tame effort. Whitley didn't spark back in to action until Scunthorpe took the lead for the first time in the game, with the weather making conditions even harder Whitley finally dug their heels in and returned to playing football subjecting Scunthorpe to immense pressure, Emma Bentley thought she had won the game with her hat-trick goal only for it to be deemed offside. In the end it was a little too little too late for the Bay who will see this as 2 points lost. Manager Gaz Lee expressed his disappointment in the self imploding suffered in the first half but said he was spurred on by the commitment and effort shown by the team to try and claim back all 3 points in the worsening conditions. | |||||
| February | |||||
| Sunday 5th | League | Away | Castleford White Rose | P-P | frozen pitch |
| Sunday 12th | League | Away | Sheffield United Junior Blades | ||
| Sunday 19th | County Cup | Away | Tynedale | ||
| Sunday 26th | League Cup | Home | BIRTLEY PHOENIX | ||
| March | |||||
| Sunday 4th | |||||
| Sunday 11th | League | Away | Peterlee | ||
| Sunday 18th | League | Away | Sheffield United | ||
| Sunday 25th | League | Home | SHEFFIELD UNITED JUNIOR BLADES | ||
| April | |||||
| Sunday 1st | League | Away | Scunthorpe | ||
| Sunday 8th | League | Home | BARNSLEY | ||
| Sunday 15th | League | Home | HULL CITY | ||
| Sunday 22nd | |||||
| Sunday 29th | League | Away | Guiseley | ||