Match Preview: Whickham vs Bishop Auckland

Whickham will be playing their third-consecutive home game, in the space of a week, when they play host to Bishop Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

The Lang Jacks were in action during the week and rounded off their Northern League Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Jarrow, which sees them top Group G having won all four group matches.

In the league, however, they are still looking for their first victory since the 2-1 win away to Sunderland RCA in mid-August.

Whickham and Bishops have faced already this season, with the Lang Jacks coming from behind to record a 2-1 victory at Heritage Park – midfielder Dale Burrell scored from inside his own half that evening.

Whickham vs Bishop Auckland

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: The First Mortgage Glebe, Rose Avenue, Whickham, NE16 4NA

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, Under-16s Free

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Ian Chandler’s men have also had mixed fortune in the league this season. They currently sit 12th in the table having won five of their 12 games, drawing two and losing seven.

Bishops haven’t been in league action for the last two weeks, playing three cup matches since their 3-0 defeat away to North Shields.

Following that, they lost 3-1 at home to Penrith in the League Cup, but bounced back to edge past Padiham in the FA Vase thanks to Christopher Winn’s first-half strike.

On Tuesday evening, their League Cup group stage finished with a 2-2 draw away to Division Two outfit Sunderland West End, which meant the Two Blues finished bottom of Group G.

Bishops have played nine away games in the league this season and have won three, drawn one and lost four of those matches.

Form Guide

Whickham: L L W L W

Last Match: Won 2-0 vs Jarrow (H) – League Cup

Bishop Auckland: D L L W D

Last Match: Drew 2-2 vs Sunderland West End (A) – League Cup

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Robin Falcus said: “I’m expecting a really tough game. Both sides haven’t really lived up to expectations from the start of the season.

“It’s going to be a very important game and one that both teams need to win. It’s something that we’re desperate for. We’ve got to start winning games and keeping clean-sheets.

“It’s about going back to basics, trying to keep that clean-sheet because we’re capable of scoring goals with the quality that we have.

“Having said that, we do have Carl Finnigan, Lewis Gibbons, Stephen Little (suspended), Kieran Galbraith and Conor Newton out injured. We’re confident that we’ve got enough in the squad to go on and get the three points that we’re desperate for.”

Match Programme

Issue 10 of our matchday programme will be on sale as you enter the ground, priced at £1.50 for an issue full of exclusive content.

Issue 10 of The Lang Jack