Whitley Bay 2-1 Whickham
It was a crushing late defeat for the Lang Jacks on the opening day at Hillheads Park after a 2-1 defeat to Whitley Bay.
Lee Haldane’s men took control of the first 45 in what was very much a game of two halves, and led at the break via Levi Collins.
A Mikel Thompson double in the second period resigned Whickham to an unfortunate first day defeat.
Six players made full debuts in black & white on Saturday afternoon, with Mason Hardy and Fin Neary also making debuts off the bench.
Whickham started the encounter the brighter and caused a problem early on when a long-range strike straight at Daniel Gladstone was spilled – which Lucas Lowery anticipated – but the goalkeeper reacted well to deny the winger.
The Bay showed their qualities on the counter attack and Thompson found himself in behind and tried to lob Neal Bussey but the stopper did well to remain tall and deny the effort.
Minutes later the deadlock was broken after Callum Munro did exceptionally to stretch and keep the ball in and it fortuitously fell into the path of debutant Levi Collins who calmly slotted into the corner.
There was a strong intent to double the lead straight after half-time as Lowery snatched the ball and ran to the byline before pulling the back to Cameron Brewis who looked to pass the ball into the corner but it rolled narrowly wide.
The home side were then given a chance to pull a goal back as Callum Munro was adjudged to have pushed in the box, but Bussey was on hand to deny Thompson from the spot down to his left.
The leveller was close once again minutes after as substitute Thomas Wilson had a go from 25 yards which heavily deflected off Max Nelson and curled millimetres wide.
The goal was found 15 minutes from time as Thompson struck a loose ball which deflated off Munro and crept past Bussey.
Thompson won the match in added time as he tapped in a Robbie Christie cross.
Whickham XI: Bussey; Errington, Nelson, Munro ©, Lavery; Croft, Smith, Stephenson; Brewis, Lowery, Collins.
Unused subs: Charlton, Peareth.
Player of the Match: Jordan Lavery
Referee: K.McKitterick
