Whitley Bay again emerged as victors in a high-scoring game with York City last Sunday, this time with a 4-3 extra-time win in the SSE Women’s FA Cup. Manager Phil Cross told us about the 2nd Qualifying Round thriller.
SK: Tell us a little of your playing/coaching career
PC: I played locally in and around South East Northumberland and North Tyneside to a reasonable standard before injuries to both the knees took it’s toll and I retired in 2002. I got involved in coaching in 2004 and having two daughters of my own, I decided to set up a couple of girls teams at Bedlington in 2006 and we became reasonably successful. I moved to South Durham Cestria (Now Durham WFC/Cestria) in 2012 coaching girls teams and towards the end of my time there, assisted with the Durham WFC Development Team, coached by Steph Libbey.
When the position of First Team Manager at Whitley Bay FC Women became available in June 2014, I saw it as a perfect opportunity to take the next step on the coaching/managerial ladder at a well-established senior women’s club. A number of the girls who have been with me whilst coaching at junior level over the years are now just starting to make an impression on the first team at Whitley Bay, which is really encouraging.
SK: How did you feel about winning over York?
PC: Having had some really tough games with them recently, (including a close 4-2 league defeat just last week), an excellent team like York wasn’t what I would have classed as ideal opposition to be playing at this early stage of the competition. So to beat them in such a tough, closely-fought game, coming from behind, gave me great satisfaction.
The pre-match handshake (Photo: York City LFC)
SK; How did the scoring go and what were the goals like?
PC: After taking an early lead with a great goal from Katie Luther, we were pegged back by York, firstly with a disappointing goal to concede defensively, followed by an excellent 25-yard free-kick. We equalised shortly into the second period, again from a well struck shot from Katie before recent acquisition from Newcastle United – Alice Teasdale – scored a wonder strike for her first goal for us, giving us a 3-2 lead. York equalised shortly after, taking the game to extra time and I felt confident from then on we would go on and win the tie. Midway through the first half of extra time, Hannah Marshall scored what proved to be the winner with an excellent curling right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
SK: What do you think to the draw?
PC: I’m very pleased with the draw. To be drawn at home is great but I’m expecting a very tough game against Westella & Willerby who themselves have started their season well.
Whitley Bay after winning a pre-season tournament.
SK: Has your season begun well?
PC: We had an excellent unbeaten pre-season and to date have only had the two York games (4-2 loss and a 4-3 win) and the Rutherford 9-0 victory in the 1st qualifying round of the FA Cup, when we played some brilliant football. So yes, overall we have started reasonably well.
SK: What are your expectations for this campaign?
PC: I am hoping to be competitive at the top end of our league, the North East Regional Premier League. There are some very good teams in the league this year, with most having strengthened since last season. I think Barnsley, Brighouse and York will all fancy their chances of being promoted come May and realistically, I see no reason why with a lot of hard work, Whitley Bay can’t be amongst those challenging for the one promotion spot. Of course, a good run in the FA Cup is always nice, as it keeps the club in the spotlight.
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