Depleted Bay go down fighting in opening game of season
A new pitch and coach had given Whitley Bay and Tynemouth Hockey Club much optimism for the season ahead.
However, unavailability, injuries and illness saw the Bay fail to christen their new set-up with a victory as the men’s first team lost 2-0 to Timperley.
With only 12 players at their disposal Whitley knew it was going to be a battle, but they started the game brightly, keeping hold of possession and building from the back.
The first half remained close, with both Andy Titmus and Alex Lockey seeing efforts well saved, while at the back last season’s top scorer and centre forward Chris Traynor marshalled an unfamiliar back line. 0-0 at half-time and the team talk was a positive one – keep up the hard work and a goal will come.
The team talk, however, seemed to have the opposite effect on Whitley as one minute in they failed to clear their lines and Timperley capitalised, beating keeper Jordan Thompson at the second attempt. Once Whitley had settled, the second half continued in the same vein as the first. Phil Ithurralde went close at the back post and Thompson pulled off a wonder save from a penalty corner. The opposition were already celebrating.
As the game went on, it became stretched as Whitley went three at the back as they tried to get an equaliser. This proved to be a step too far as Timperley hit them on the break to make it 2-0.
Despite the loss, the mood in the camp was positive. If that commitment and spirit can be shown week in week out with a full squad then the wins will follow.
Meanwhile, WBTHC have unveiled John Wood as their new men’s firsts’ lead coach.
John is head of hockey for RGS Newcastle and has a BA (Hons) in Coaching and Sports Development/ PGCE in Secondary Education.
Other previous experience includes UKCC Level 3 Hockey Coach, England Hockey Talent Development Coach, England Hockey Coach Development Tutor and Assessor, England U16, U17 and U18 coach and Pennine Pumas U6-U18 Lead Coach.
Other results at the weekend: Ladies’ 1s v Doncaster Result – won 1-0; Ladies’ 3s v North Shields 1s – won 1-0; Ladies’ 4s v Jesmond Parish Church – drew 2-2; Men’s 2s v Tynedale 1 – drew 2-2; Men’s 3s v Newcastle – won 2-1.