Bay beaten again as a dismal Premier League campaign goes on

WHITLEY Bay HC’s senior men’s side suffered another defeat in their worst-ever start to a Northern Premier League campaign.

They lost 3-1 to Manchester’s newly-promoted Didsbury HC.

Didsbury led the game from the off, scoring within the first two minutes as a needless penalty corner was given away.

Whitley Bay goalkeeper Jordan Thompson was unable to stop Scott Cordon’s drag-flick into the left side of his goal. Matt Kettley levelled the scores on eight minutes when he deflected in his first goal for Whitley Bay since his summer move.

However, Didsbury restored their lead just before the half-time whistle, again from a penalty corner.

Thompson was able to make the save this time - but Alex Arndt was on hand to force in the rebound.

Bay tried to fight back in the second period half but rarely forced Didsbury goalkeeper Jonny Grey into action as they failed to penetrate the Manchester side’s defence.

At the other end, Thompson was forced into action on numerous occasions as Whitley’s men turned over possession in dangerous areas throughout the pitch.

As the match drew to a close, one of these such turnovers ended any chances of Bay claiming a point when Nick Lowden finished off a fine counter-attack, giving all three points deservedly to Manchester.

Bay travel to Bowdon on Saturday as they try and resurrect something from a season which they started as many people’s title favourites.

Bay’s men’s seconds lost 4-2 to Sunderland Broom.

However, the senior ladies’ team defeated Unversity of Leeds 3-1 and the ladies’ seconds overcame Newcastle University 3-0.