The FA Carlsberg Vase
Glossop North End 0 - 2 Whitley Bay
Atendance: 12,212
Whitley Bay added another FA Vase to their tophy cabinet on Sunday as two first half goals proved enough to see off Glossop North End in the Final at Wembley.
First half goals from strike duo Lee Kerr and Paul Chow proved enough to seal the win for Whitley, who also lifted The Vase in 2002, and they probably could have added to their tally in the North London sunshine.
Glossop will feel slightly aggrieved at the result themselves though, as they certainly offered a formidable challenge to Ian Chandler's team but just couldn'tovercome the strong physique offered by the north east outfit.
They could quite easily have found themselves level at half time had they had a much deserved break in front of goal in first half stoppage time, only to Whitley Bay then hit them on the counter attack and score the crucial second goal just moments before the interval.
Bay then went onto enjoy the better of the second half chances as Glossop tired and they will no doubt see this as a deserved victory but Glossop will wonder what could've been.
After a lively opening to the game with both teams looking to attack each other, the crowd were almost treated to spectacular opener after 16 minutes when Whitley Bay's Adam Johnstone struck an audacious effort at goal from just inside his own half. Glossop goalkeeper Matt Cooper looked to be in trouble as the ball floated towards goal, but he somehow managed to get back and make a great save to tip the ball onto the bar. A fine stop to prevent what would have been a fine goal.
Glossop hit back and were denied by the woodwork themselves in the 22nd minute when Nick Bailey cut in from the right and struck a solid left footer at goal, which had Bay's Terry Burke beaten only to come crashing back off the angle of post and bar.
After the opening flurry from both teams, the opportunities died down at both ends with Glossop's Darren Hamilton forcing Burke into a save at his near post wih a low shot from just inside the area in the 32nd minute.
But it was Whitley who took the lead four minutes later, when Chow played a pass into Kerr on the edge of the area. He twisted away from his marker to find a yard of space before slotting home an angled shot to send Bay's travelling support into a frenzy.
With half time just moments away, Glossop almost got themselves level when Dave Hodges crossed from the left, with Nick Allen almost making contact only for the ball to break clear after a scramble.
North End were made to pay too, as Whitley broke swiftly to the other end and when Johnstone slipped a ball through for Chow, he made no mistake to clip home a left footed shot past Cooper and into the back of the net.
It was tough on Glossop, who had certainly done enough in the first half to have been on level terms but Whitley's killer instinct in front of goal gave them that crucial edge.
Bay emerged for the second half looking to add a killer third goal and Chow came close when he danced across the area before shooting just over the bar. Johnstone was then denied by Cooper, who saved well with his foot after Craig McFarlane had set him up with a cross from the left.
Chow came even closer in the 71st minute, when a cross from the left picked him out in the area and his firm header hit the crossbar and bounced down onto the goal line before Glossop cleared the danger.
He then had a great chance to score again, but somehow headed over the bar from just a matter of yards before he made way for Paul Robinson and recieved a hero's reception from the travelling fans.
Glossop found the energy to force some late pressure on Whitely Bay, but despite a few close calls, they just couldn't apply the finishing touch and were left to rue what could have been.
Glossop North End
18 Matt Cooper, 2 Dave Young (C), 3 Jamie Kay, 4 Kevin Lugsden, 5 Danny Yates, 6 Jay Gorton, 7 Rick Bailey (15 Sam Hind, 56), 8 Dave Morris, 12 Nick Allen (9 Mark Balfe, 65), 10 Darren Hamilton (17 Tom Bailey, 72), 11 Dave Hodges.
Subs Not Used: 16 Rick Whelan, 14 Martin Parker.
Whitley Bay
1 Terry Burke, 2 Mark Taylor, 3 Lee Picton, 4 Craig McFarlane (12 Chris Fawcett, 59), 5 Dave Coulson (C), 6 Leon Ryan, 7 Chris Moore, 8 Damon Robson, 9 Lee Kerr, 10 Paul Chow (11 Paul Robinson, 73), 14 Adam Johnstone (15 Phil Bell, 59)
Subs Not Used: 13 Rob McLean, 16 Darren Reay