
Whickham suffered their first competitive defeat of the season at the hands of Guisborough Town at The Glebe on Tuesday night. WRITES CHRIS MILLS
A Jason Blackburn penalty and Joseph Bartliff strike gave the visitors a two-goal advantage before the break.
Just after the hour mark Blackburn scored his second to wrap up the points for the visitors.
The result sees the two sides separated by just one point at the top end of Northern League Division One.
The first chance of the game was in favour of the Priorymen as Jack Blackford was fed through however his shot from a tight angle dragged wide of Nathan Harker’s post.
Two minutes later Jack Moody brought down Jason Blackburn in the penalty area, who then converted the penalty.
Just five minutes later the lead was doubled after a pass back to Nathan Harker went through him and Joseph Bartliff was there to find the empty net.
Whickham improved as the half went on and on the stroke of halftime Scott Robson got in behind and forced a good save from Will Cowey.
After the break Guisborough went close once again as Blackburn headed just over after Bartliff teed him up with his head.
The game was wrapped up in the 65th minute after a slick move involving Bartliff and Liam O’Sullivan set up Blackburn for his second of the night from 10 yards.
It was almost four with 10 minutes to go as Bartliff hit a shot on the volley which crashed off the Lang Jacks bar.
A tough evening for Whickham who look to bounce back in the FA Cup against Sunderland RCA on Sunday.
Whickham team: Harker, Howard, Priest (Hall 67’), Young, Agnew, Moody, Dunn, Peareth (Smith 26’), S.Robson (Jasper 81’), Greenwood, Ramsay.
Unused substitutes: Below, Lizinde.
Referee: Mark McMahon
Man of the Match: Joey Smith
