League Match

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Against Rutherford Ravens

Score: Whitley Bay 7 - Rutherford Ravens 2
(Davidson 2, Graham, Hunter, o.g., Smith, Turnbull)
 
Whitley faced Rutherford Ravens and having had 3 close games against them last season, were determined to start well. Whitley went on the attack from the whistle and penned Rutherford into their own half in the early minutes. The pressure soon told on 12 minutes as a high ball from Rachel Kay bounced over the advancing keeper and Laurel Davidson was on hand to slot into the empty net for a goal on her first start for the club. Ten minutes later, Whitley were 2 up when Kirsty Hunter played a great ball across the face of goal for Helen Graham to slide in at the far post. Whitley were now well in control and on the half hour Rachel Kay played a ball into the box and Hunter crashed home an unstoppable left foot volley from close range. Just before half time a Nikki Smith corner put Rutherford under pressure and a defenders attempted headed clearance found its way into the net. After the interval, Rutherford were defending well and it wasn't until the hour mark when Hunter played in Smith who cut inside and finished well at the near post. Two minutes later and quick thinking by Smith and Graham at a corner led to Graham crossing the ball for Turnbull to head powerfully into the net. Whitley scored their 7th in the 75 minute when another inch perfect ball from Hunter put Davidson in the clear and the young striker calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Whitley then lost concentration in the last 10 minutes of the game as firstly they went to sleep at a throw in and Kirsty Williams nipped in to score, then Whitley failed to clear the ball on the edge of their own box and the pacy Sam Brown fired home. Manager Colin Phillips was happy with the win 'It's always a tough game against Rutherford and I am glad we started so well as a little sloppiness at the end of the game could have been costly'