A depleted ladies squad was no match for a lively Whitley Bay Development team as they went down 5-0 at Churchill Playing Fields.
The hosts took the game to Newlaithes straight from kick-off playing at a high tempo. Newlaithes struggled to cope with the technical quality and strong running of the home side and after 15 minutes Whitley Bay took the lead when everyone stopped, thinking that a diagonal through ball had gone for a goal kick to the right. However the ball hadn't crossed the line and their forward whipped the ball back across goal for their striker to lash into the roof of the net from point blank range. On 22 minutes the hosts increased their lead when a cross from the right touch-line was finished in identical fashion. Five minutes later and it was three when a shot from distance evaded keeper Vicki Rudd as the stiff breeze took the ball just out of reach. Newlaithes had the odd break but weren't able to create anything as the hosts dominated, however they held firm and the score remained 3-0 at half-time.
With the wind at their backs Newlaithes were more determined at the start of the second half and had their first shot of the game as Chelsea Norris shot just wide after breaking free from her markers. However they were dealt a blow on 60 minutes when the influential Norris was forced to leave the pitch with a groin injury after she landed awkwardly following a challenge and on 68 minutes Whitley Bay got number four when they moved the ball well to finish into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the area, right of centre. Despite being a player down, Newlaithes showed good resilience and battled well but the effort was beginning to take it's toll as several others were hobbling around with injuries. Whitley Bay continued to create chances and they were unlucky to see a shot smash off the bar following a corner from the left, however they got their fifth when they broke down the left from midfield to strike the ball across goal and in at the far post to complete the scoring from just inside the area.
This was always going to be a tough ask for the ladies with two players having withdrawn from the game on the morning of the match but they shouldn't be too downhearted - this is a fledgeling team with several new players having recently joined and they need time to gel as a unit. They were up against a very well-drilled side with good technique throughout and hopefully we can learn from the experience. Everyone put in a massive shift, particularly in the 2nd half but our hosts were just too good on the day. Joint players of the match were Jade Williams - a rock in defence with a bagful of well timed challenges and also taking hits on all parts of the body with some brave blocks and Chelsea Norris, who not only posed the only real threat to the opposition up front but also showed a fantastic willingness to track back and help out in defence. Take nothing away from the rest of the team though, everyone worked tirelessly throughout.
Next week is our first local derby of the season as we host Penrith AFC Development, 2pm kick-off at the Sheepmount.
