MATCH REPORT | Whickham FC 4-1 Bishop Auckland: Dominant Lang Jacks performance seals third league win on the bounce

Zak Atkinson grabbed two goals and an assist as as Whickham thrash struggling Bishop Auckland 4-1 at home.

The home side took an early lead through Jack Robson and Zak Atkinson’s second half double meant the Glebemen were cruising before a penalty was netted by Auckland to pull a goal back but Declan Bisset’s late deflected effort sealed the three points.

The hosts made five changes to the starting XI after the Redcar defeat due to injuries plus a suspension to Scott Robson from his sending off against Consett – these changes included a first start for Lewis McNall and Declan Bisset as well as Dale Burrell, Jack Robson and Liam Doyle returning to the starting lineup – this was in replacement of Scott Robson, Kyle Downey, Kieran Galbraith, Ross Peareth and Tom Scothern – with the latter transferring to Ryhope CW recently.

The early pressure from Mark Convery’s side paid off when Jack Robson gave them the lead after seven minutes – reacting to Bishop Auckland’s failed clearance from a Charlie Exley cross – taking the ball down from his chest and finishing into the near corner of the net.

Both sides received many free-kicks with the visitors nearly equalising from one after a free-kick centrally outside the area was fired towards Regan Ward with the young goalkeeper able to keep a hold of the ball.

McNall and Bisset both had chances before the break with neither able to finish their chances including a sweeping move towards the edge of the box which allowed Bisset space to shoot but the 16-year old unfortunately missed his chance – firing just wide of the post.

Despite more pressure from the away side – the Lang Jacks doubled their lead shortly before the hour mark with Atkinson heading home his sixth goal of the season.

Robson continued to cause problems down the right-hand side and played a big part in the third goal when dinking a crisp pass over the top of Bishop’s defence allowing Atkinson to charge towards goal with the forward cutting back onto his right-foot  before burying the shot into the bottom corner.

In the 75th minute The Two Blues pulled a goal back after a trip in the penalty area with the spot-kick being converted by captain – Christopher Winn – to make the last 15 minutes interesting.

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Nearly 10 minutes later any hope of a Bishop’s comeback were slashed as Atkinson picked out Bisset inside the area with the youngsters effort deflecting in for his first goal of the season.

Whickham FC next face Newton Aycliffe away on October 24, Saturday.

Starting XI: R. Ward, T. Howard, C. Exley, D. Burrell, J. Errington, C. Newton, L. Doyle, D. Bisset, J. Robson (O. Leedham 77′), L. McNall (S. Bowey 84′). Substitutes not used: R. Peareth, K. Galbraith, K. Downey

Three things we learned:

1. Despite such an emphatic win, conceding three penalties in two games isn’t such a good record so Whickham need to avoid so many rash challenges in the area.
2. We need to kill games off in the first half when we are winning one-nil as the start to the second half is always a nervy one if we are only leading by a single goal.
3. Declan Bisset and Conor Newton seem to forming a good partnership when played together as both very good at keeping an attack flowing as well as not being afraid to get stuck in.

After the match Ben Robinson spoke to Zak Atkinson about his side’s victory:

Man of the match (sponsored by The Mill House): Zak Atkinson

Match sponsor: Heating Components & Equipment Ltd