Traynor hatrick brings home the points

With 5 minutes to spare Chris Traynor rescued Whitley Bay and Tynemouth HC completing his hat-trick and taking all 3 points, in a close encounter with City of York HC. WBTHC ran out 3-2 winners but it was nearly a day when too many missed chances cost them some valuable points.

WBTHC started the game at a high tempo, forcing the play in the York half. While dominating the possession they started to create numerous chances in open play and with short corners. However while they had the lion's share of ball they failed to find a break through and York constantly reminded them of the danger they possess. As the half drew to a close WBTHC became complacent and errors in their game started to show. City of York did not need an invitation and capitalised within minutes. Tom Feasby opened the scoring for the day with a goal in open play, as York raised a quick counter attack and caught WBTHC napping.
As shock set in WBTHC struggled to get going again and lost control of the game. York started to dominate the game and it was WBTHC on the back foot, struggling to deal with the turn around. York's 10 minutes of dominance was far more fruitful than all of WBTHC's combined as they then went on to take a 2 goal lead right on the stroke of half time. This time Pete Newton jumped onto a rebounded shot at a penalty corner, flicking the ball in off the crossbar to leave WBTHC keeper Jordon Thompson no chance.

WBTHC knew they had to raise their game in the 2nd half if they were to have any chance of even a draw, but to lose one more goal could be fatal. Luckily for them they came out of the blocks well and grabbed a hold of the game again. Again things were just not clicking in the final 3rd but they kept plugging away until they had success winning the 1st penalty corner of the 2nd half. James Redpath's initial shot was saved well but Traynor followed in and fought the ball over the line. The come back was on.
Straight away Northumberland men were back on the charge, buoyed by the goal. Traynor found some space high on the left picking the ball up and driving at the York defence. He rode challenge after challenge as he surged into the York area, but as he neared the York goal the challenges became more and more stern, until the point he was clattered as he prepared to shoot. A penalty stroke was awarded and Traynor stood up to get his 2nd goal of the game; WBTHC now fully back in the game.
It was now a matter of can York hold out and keep a hard fought draw, with only 15min remaining. Traynor answered that question in the last 5 minutes of the game as he flicked the ball low into the corner of the goal from a penalty corner, completing his man of the match hat-trick.

On Saturday Whitley Bay and Tynemouth HC men will travel to play newly promoted Ben Rhydding HC as they try to make it three wins out of three.