‘It’s one of the best moments of my career’: Whitley Bay midfielder expresses delight after Senior Cup win

Whitley Bay midfielder Mechack Kanda hailed winning the Northumberland Senior Cup as “one of the best moments of [his] career” after the Northern League Division One side beat Heaton Stannington on penalties at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.  

With the final tied at 1-1, the Bay clinched a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over the Stan, who play one division higher in the Northern Premier League East, to secure their 13th Senior Cup win – and a first triumph since 2010. 

Kanda played a part in Whitley’s equaliser just five minutes after Alex Payne opened the scoring for Heaton, with his blocked strike inside the box allowing Nathan Nkunku to fire home on the rebound.  

“[It was] an amazing feeling just to be out there, it’s one of the best moments of my career so far”, the midfielder told the Northumberland FA.  

“It’s just a great feeling really, to be able to win the trophy with Whitley Bay, with the boys and [manager] Jay Bates – words can’t describe it, if I’m being honest.  

“[On penalties] it could’ve gone either way, but I think going from the second half we deserved it.  

“They’re a very good side, you can see that from where they finished in the league – in the top seven. 

“It was always going to be a hard game. I’m just glad we managed to do what we needed to do.”