Mens 1 v Sheffield University Bankers 1

It was a case of a missed opportunity to deal an early blow to title rivals Sheffield University Bankers, as Whitley Bay and Tynemouth HC let a two goal lead slip through their grasp, dropping their first 2 points of the season. The match ended in a 2-2 draw which either side might have taken before the match started, but WBTHC will feel today like they have lost 2 points instead of gaining 1.

As expected this match was not at all a one side affair, with both teams giving as good as they got in the opening 20min. Sheffield had the better of the early chances, coming close on 3 occasions as they started very brightly. WBTHC settled into their game and carved out 2 chances of their own in reply but neither side were able to find that crucial last touch to convert.
As WBTHC started to get their motor turning it was they that looked the more dangerous and it wasn't long until with 10min remaining in the first half that Phil Ithurralde put them ahead. Steven Hill took a quick free hit inside the Sheffield's final third finding Chris Traynor at the top of the "D", he turned the ball onto his reverse stick and hit the ball towards the back post, where Ithurralde was on hand to deflect home.
WBTHC kept pushing forward in the remaining minutes of the half but couldn't find a 2nd, but going in 1-0 up they would be more than happy.

Again in the 2nd half Sheffield started the brighter, leaving WBTHC to have to attack on the counter. However although Sheffield were able to get the ball into dangerous positions they were not able to create an chances. As the Bay were able to get a foot hold in the game again they managed to find a 2nd goal, this time through Hector Hall. As they stole the ball in midfield a deflected pass was raised high in the air towards Jonathan Stoddart on the Sheffield baseline. He picked the ball out of the air and slipped a pass through to Hall, who danced around the advancing goal keeper for an easy finish.
At this point WBTHC thought this was going to be their day but Sheffield had other ideas and weren't about to give up. WBTHC started to look a bit nervous on the ball and unwilling to commit any men forward, intent on defending their lead. Sheffield slowly started to turn the screw and created more and more opportunities. Jordan Thompson was called into action on more than one occasion and had to make excellent saves to keep the score line as it was.
Finally Sheffield's pressure paid off as they won a penalty corner with 15min remaining in the match. After a short transfer of the ball at the top of the "D" they played the ball in for Jack Culmer to deflect into the net and the come back was on.
Sheffield sensed the unease in the WBTHC side as they loaded on the pressure, WBTHC now limited strictly to the counter attack. With a bit of over eagerness to try and win the ball back, a stick tackle outside the Bay 25yard line was adjudged to be worthy of a penalty corner. Again the Sheffield men switched the ball at the top of the "D" and slapped the ball in for a deflection and again WBTHC were not equal to the test as Nick Fletcher brought the teams level with a deflection just before the goal line.
For whatever reason at this point WBTHC started to play hockey again after they witnessed their 2 goal lead dwindle away and were at risk of conceding a third. The final 15min were all WBTHC as they tried to get their lead back and the points came with it. They pushed and they pushed and it was now the Sheffield team looking the more nervy of the pair. In the last 5min they had two penalty corners of their own, but as Traynor's low flick went narrowly wide and the 2nd fizzled out into nothing the points and the win slipped between their fingers as the final whistle sounded.

On reflection after 4 games WBTHC will be satisfied with their performances to date; still unbeaten and only 2nd to Leeds on goal difference in the league standings. The next 3 games will say a lot about the Tynesiders challenge for the league title, as they face Chester away on Saturday and then to crunch games against title rivals Leeds and Formby. These are games that all the sides cannot afford to lose.