Honours even at Formby

Both teams battled hard throughout the 70min but neither could find the breakthrough they required to keep pace with Leeds HC who moved 7points clear at the top with a win over Brooklands HC.

Both teams started brightly testing each others defences but neither side could carve out a true challenge on goal. Chris Traynor came closest for WBTHC but couldn't convert a cross played across the Formby goal, arriving late at the back post only able to steer his shot wide. WBTHC forward Phil Ithurralde had his day cut short with a suspected broken finger, tracking back and making an important tackle in the "D". Formby closed the 1st half with a penalty corner, but WBTHC goal keeper Jordon Thompson was equal to the challenge, with a diving save to his right post.

The game started to stretch out in the 2nd half as both side were unable to hold their structure as well as they did in the first 35min. Man of the Match Thompson had to make several reaction saves to keep out the Formby attack and Hector Hall was only denied by the inside of the Formby post, when he saw his shot come close in a 1 on 1 situation.
WBTHC thought they had taken the lead when Alex Lockey latched onto a charged down penalty corner flick, with a smart reverse strike high into the goal. Unfortunately for the Bay the umpire blew his whistle just after Lockey's shot and pulled the game back to a foul on Traynor, who was shoulder barged after he took the initial flick. From the resultant penalty corner retake they could only muster a slapped shot wide, as Formby thanked their good fortune.
Again it was Formby who finished the half with a penalty corner at the end of time, as they looked to steal all 3 points. However Thompson moved smartly off his line to deflect the shot over the crossbar to safety after Formby switched angle of play.

Whitley Bay host mid table Bowden HC this Saturday, a game in which 3 points is a must.