A second-half collapse costs Bay’s men dear

HOCKEY

WHITLEY Bay’s senior men’s team slipped to fourth place in the Northern Premier League as they lost 6-3 to Chester HC following a second-half collapse.

Within just five minutes Bay were ahead, Alex Lockey winning an early penalty corner deflected in by Matt Kettley.

However, their passing became slower and slower as they did not recognise the danger Chester possessed.

It was not long before the Bay backline was caught napping on the ball and Chester sprang one of their many counter-attacks of the game.

The resultant play led to a penalty corner which Andrew Murray was able to force home over the line when Whitley Bay failed to deal with the danger.

Chester’s Simon Jones made it 2-1, when again Bay lost the ball playing out from the back and Chester hit them at pace on the break.

On the stroke of half-time Kettley was able to draw the teams back level as again he dispatched a wellworked penalty corner and the two teams went into the break at 2-2.

Bay again dominated possession in the second period but this time Chester’s counter-attack cut them apart time after time.

Simon Jones and Chris Miles put the home side two goals ahead within 10 minutes, Phil Ithurralde only able to reply once for Bay.

As Bay pushed further and further forward Chester put them to bed with a further two counter-attacking goals, Duncan Langston and Paul Cieplak applying the final touches.

Bay’s men’s seconds defeated Durham City 4-3 and the thirds were 3-2 winners against Marton Furness. ■■THE club’s senior ladies’ team triumphed 2-1 against Sheffield Hallam while the ladies’ seconds saw off Whitby 7-2.