Whickham vs Thornaby: Match preview

The Lang Jacks will be looking for their fifth win a row when Thornaby come to the First Mortgage Glebe on Saturday 27th November, writes BEN ROBINSON.

Tony Fawcett’s men toppled 10-man Redcar Athletic 3-2 last time out, despite a late fightback from the visitors to make it four wins out of four for the new boss.

The victory over Redcar Athletic marked the fourth win on the bounce since Fawcett took charge of the Glebemen, which included three clean sheets.

Thornaby have not won a game since thrashing high-flying Ashington 4-0 at the start of the month, with a shock defeat to Penrith, a draw away to Northallerton Town and a gut-wrenching defeat on penalties against Consett in the FA Vase Second Round.

However, the Teesside club will be looking to break into the promotion places this weekend as they lie three points away in fifth place, a win for Whickham would pull them within three points of The Blues.

Thornaby’s frontmen, Elliot Beddow and Craig Hutchinson have combined for 27 goals so far this season as the duo continue to wreak havoc on Northern League defences.

Tony Fawcett spoke on the upcoming opponent’s and the threats the two forwards pose going into Saturday.

He said: “This weekends game against Thornaby will be our toughest test as a group. They are an extremely attacking team and littered with goal scorers; Hutchinson and Beddow are both in the league’s top 6/7 scorer charts.”

He continued: “We will have to be super organised and really at it if we’re to take anything from this game however we have made the Glebe a tough place to come of late and we’ll be hoping to do the same.”

Fawcett has confirmed that captain, Ross Peareth, Tom Howard and Dean Gallagher are unavailable for the fixture.

The Whickham boss also confirmed that Conor Newton is still struggling, Scott Robson will be running a late test and Louis Parral is now back from international duty with Gibraltar’s Under 21’s.

Kick-off is 3pm at The First Mortgage Glebe on Saturday 27th November – tickets are available at the gate. Adults £6; concessions £3.