Wednesday 12th August 2026, Kick-off 19.30
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay
Welfare Park, Easington Colliery
Admission: £7.00
Programme: None
Attendance: 164
A match report from a Whitley Bay perspective can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below
Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here
Stoppage time heartbreak as Bay exit FA Cup
EMIRATES FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND REPLAY
EASINGTON COLLIERY 3 WHITLEY BAY 2
WEDNESDAY 12th AUGUST 2026
Report by Julian Tyley
Two stoppage time goals turned this game on its head as Whitley’s hopes of a lucrative FA Cup run were dashed on a warm summer’s evening at Easington. As on Saturday, when the game at Hillheads ended in a 3-3 draw, this was a closely contested cup tie with the goals continuing to flow in an enthralling contest on the Durham coast.
Whitley’s injury ravaged squad performed exceptionally well in the first half and they continued to battle away after the interval scoring a second goal and leading 2-0 with just 20 minutes to go. Crucially though, with only one fit substitute available, they ran out of legs in the closing stages and the hosts capitalised, making full use of their five substitutes to snatch a dramatic late victory.
Adding to an already lengthy injury list, four of Saturday’s starting eleven, Kieren Aplin, Graham Williams, Mackenzie Sharpe and Mikel Thompson were all ruled out of the game, Alan Achuo and Hugo McNicol starting alongside the returning Alfie Livermore and Jake Jensen.
After a fairly quiet opening, Whitley began to impose themselves on the game and after 15 minutes, Nathan Nkunku got a shot on target but keeper Marrs saved comfortably at the near post. Five minutes later, Nkunku’s effort from the edge of the box took a deflection and went behind for a corner.
Following a long ball downfield an attempted lob shot by Easington comfortably cleared the bar but it was Whitley who were looking the better side and they deservedly took the lead on the half hour.
Brady’s throw in on the right reached Livermore who played it through to Jake Forster, who advanced to the byline while defender Eltringham appealed in vain for offside. Forster, playing in an attacking role in this game, then rolled the ball across the face of goal where Lennox Magalhaes slotted it home from close range.
Whitley looked in control of the game while Easington’s only attempt was a speculative shot that flew well over the bar. Nkunku and Magalhaes both looked lively when Bay pressed forward and at the interval Whitley were good value for their lead.
After the break, Easington made three substitutions in an attempt to turn the game around and they certainly looked more lively in the opening stages, with Whitley having to soak up the pressure. Within a minute, Stanton forced a low save from Leech, then ten minutes after the restart the home side forced a series of five corners but each time Whitley defended them well before a header went well off target.
Just past the hour mark, good work by Brady attacking the right side of the Easington box resulted in the ball falling for Nkunku and from 20 yards he rifled a great shot just inside the near post to give Whitley a two goal lead.
Easington now made a fourth substitution and there were signs of Whitley beginning to tire. A free kick for the home side crashed off the bar and the ball was eventually cleared but when it was played upfield again into the box it was not cut out and Adamson poked it home to give the Colliers renewed hope with 20 minutes still to play.
A blow for Whitley came five minutes later when Jake Forster picked up an injury and despite receiving treatment was unable to continue so Scott McCarthy came off the bench to take his place up front.
Whitley were being forced back in defence but were coping well with Easington struggling to get attempts on target. In a break to the other end, Jensen worked his way through the home defence but his shot while on target, lacked the power to trouble Marrs.
It was looking as if Whitley might hold on for victory but with the game entering stoppage time, substitute Pearn forced Leech to push the ball wide at the near post and when the corner was played in from the right, Agnew came in unmarked and his downward header rebounded high into the net to level the score.
Urged on by their fans, the Colliers pressed forward in search of a winner and four minutes into added time, it came in stunning style, a volley from well outside the box by another substitute Liam Cooke flying into the top corner of the net giving Leech no chance.
Whitley refused to give up, pushing forward in hope of an equaliser and in the eighth added minute, Livermore was brought down just outside the left edge of the box. With what turned out to be the last action of the game, Magalhaes sent the free kick wide and the referee blew the final whistle to spark celebrations among the home players and their fans.
It was a heart breaking way to go out of the cup but a creditable and battling performance by every one of the Bay side.
WHITLEY BAY: Leech, Brady, Achuo, Forster(McCarthy 75mins) McNicol, Scott, Magalhaes, Shilling, Nkunku, Livermore, Jensen
Cautions: Livermore, McNicol, Magalhaes
Referee: Andrew Elliott
Attendance: 164
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