Both sides had full squads available and it was 2 strong teams that took the field at Hillheads in glorious sunshine.

The early exchanges were even but Whitley were looking to play the ball behind Blyth at every opportunity, using the pace of Rachel Kay and Laura Darmody to trouble the deep Blyth defence.

It was with such a ball Whitley made the breakthrough on the 12th minute.

Nikki Smith laid the ball down the channel for Laura Darmody to outsprint the defender and slot the ball into the far corner.

This tactic continued and was paying dividends but the final ball was not reaching a Whitley shirt.

Just as Blyth were settling to the task, a simple free kick was played
over the defence by Siobhan Davies.

Laura Darmody was first to react as she calmly sidefooted the ball into the corner of the net to put Whitley 2 ahead.

Whitley continued to press forward, with Blyth making rare attacks and
the Whitley 'keeper was never troubled.

The score remained 2-0 at half time.

After the break, Blyth made some substitutions and tactical changes, restricting Whitley to most of the possession in midfield, but they were unable to penetrate the back four.

Blyth also started to take the game to Whitley as they tried to get a foothold in the game.

However, Whitley's defence held strong and Blyth resorted to
shooting from distance, dealt with comfortably by the Bay 'keeper.

Whitley had chances with free kicks and corners but the Blyth 'keeper did not have a meaningful save to make.

Whitley made changes to kill the game and both sides were unable to add to the score, leaving the first half goals the difference between the two sides.

Manager Colin Phillips was pleased to be in the semi-final draw.

"It took Blyth a while to get into the game, but they proved to be tough opponents, especially in the second half when we were unable to break them down."

In the draw today (Monday 22nd Oct) Whitley Bay drew Newcastle United Women away on 17th February at 1.30pm at Bullocksteads.

In the other semi-final Glendale play Team Northumbria.