
After a difficult week, Whickham visited West Auckland on Saturday in what was the last league home game of 2024. After suffering nine straight league defeats, Whickham had recorded back to back victories in the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup and Durham Challenge Cup, and were looking to build some momentum in the league. West had recorded two difficult home defeats, against Blyth Town in Division 1, and Shildon in the Durham Challenge Cup.
Striker Kyle Davis and defender Oscar-Eckley-Aldsworth both returned to the starting eleven for West, with Ben Dale, Lee Hume and Adam Mitchell starting as substitutes. The game got under way, and the first chance for West came in the 5th minute. Kyle Davis found Anthony Bell, whose strike was blocked. Davis picked up the rebound and his shot was saved by Whickham goalkeeper Robbie Smith. Archie Dodds had two dangerous crosses in from the right, both well defended by Whickham, as both teams looked to get the game’s first goal. Unfortunately for West, that goal was scored by Whickham. Sam Johnson chased down West goalkeeper Nick Liversedge and his misplaced pass ended up at the feet of Johnson, who smashed the ball into the net. Whickham found themselves 1-0 up after 35 minutes, in what had been an even, sometimes scrappy opening half hour. Just before half-time, Adam Mitchell needed to replace Luke Bailey.
The second half began in similar fashion as the first, evenly contested and a little scrappy. It took until the hour mark for West to make the breakthrough and even the score. James Harrison skipped past three Whickham defenders and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner. A great goal which gave West some hope of getting three points. Liversedge needed to be alert to prevent that from happening. Sam Johnson chipped from outside the West box which had Liversedge back pedaling, and he managed to tip it over for a corner. Whickham continued to press and got their reward on 73 minutes. Cameron Brewis picked the ball up 20 yards out, ran towards the West goal and hit a great strike past Liversedge from the edge of the box. Lee Hume replaced Archie Dodds for West and Whickham made two changes in the final five minutes looking to kill time. West couldn’t find a way to get the equalizer and Whickham recorded their first league win since the beginning of October.
After the game, we spoke to James Harrison, who scored his 11th league goal of the season in yesterday’s defeat.
“Yesterday was a tough defeat to take, especially after getting back into it early in the second half. As a team, we all need to stick together and work harder. We have 3 tough away games coming up, starting with North Shields on Tuesday night, which is an opportunity to turn our form around and get back onto a winning run, which we all know we’re capable off. Hopefully we get more lads back from injuries in the coming weeks and add strength back in to the squad.”
Full-Time: West Auckland Town 1-2 Whickham
Competition: Northern League Division One
Attendance: 121
Match Report by Phil Dodds
Photos by Phil Sage
Website by Cre8ive Graphics & GreyPhox Digital