Thornaby 2-1 Whickham: 10-man spirited Lang Jacks defeated by late blow

Whickham FC’s trip to Teesdale Park ended in defeat with a late goal sinking the 10 men of Whickham after Ross Peareth’s red card.

The home side took the lead after the half-hour mark with Luke Hogan netting following a sloppy spell of possession from the Lang Jacks.

Zak Atkinson then levelled the scores just after the hour-mark after second half pressure from the visitors.

Ross Peareth then received a red card after a second yellow card – one minute after Atkinson’s equaliser.

Elliot Beddow then broke away for the hosts and scored the final goal of the game, sending the away side home empty handed.

Multiple players were unavailable coming into the game leaving Mark Convery with a squad of 14 that included new signing Mark Fitzpatrick.

Thornaby had the first chance of the game after a couple of minutes when Craig Hutchinson was able to take a shot straight at Norton from inside the area, after trying to spin off Kieran Galbraith.

Thornaby then scored after half-an-hour when the Lang Jacks gave the ball away to Hutchinson where was able to play the ball through to Hogan who drilled the ball into the bottom corner across the ‘keeper.

Early into the second half Norton stopped a second goal for The Blues after Beddow broke through on goal but the goalkeeper got a strong hand to the ball to push it away.

Fitzpatrick then found Atkinson on the counter attack in the 49th minute but the latter slid the ball just wide of the post.

Two minutes later the same duo combined with Atkinson’s shot stinging Mazfari’s hands.

The hosts had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled offside when Jamie Poole smashed home a half-volley but was past the last line of defence.

Atkinson finally got his goal in the 63rd minute when Galbraith whipped the ball into the back post where Atkinson was lurking to pounce, sliding the ball into the net.

Ross Peareth was then sent off after jumping late into a tackle and accumulating his second yellow card leaving the Lang Jacks a man down.

Reece Kenney then bobbled a shot wide of the post with the goal at his mercy as Thornaby looked destined to take the lead following a rebound from another top save by Norton.

With 11 minutes remaining, The Blues found another way through with Beddow bursting down the right wing before nutmegging Dale Burrell and smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Whickham huffed and puffed late on but Thornaby’s defensive solidity stopped any chance of an equaliser.

Starting XI: J. Norton, T. Howard, D. Burrell, K. Galbraith, M. Hoganson, R. Peareth, K. Downey (S. Bowey 83′), D. Bisset, M. Fitzpatrick, S. Robson, Z. Atkinson (F. Martindale 76′)

Subs not used: A. Dixon

Man of the match: Dale Burrell

Ben Robinson spoke to the birthday boy – Zak Atkinson – after scoring his first goal of the season: