As Whickham FC prepare for the Durham Challenge Cup final against Shildon AFC, we caught up with Lang Jacks star, Max Nelson, who previewed the game that will take place on Tuesday the 15th of April at 7:30 pm at the Stadium of Light.
Nelson has been with the club since last August, so whilst he did not play the final that Whickham managed to reach last year, he will be hoping that he can help the Jacks go one better and lift the coveted trophy.
Nelson reflected on the season and how it has been quite a poor season for them by their standards. They currently sit two points above the relegation zone.
However, in the cup this season, they have been fantastic. They boast the best defensive record, having only conceded one goal in four matches, and they kept three clean sheets in a row before the semi-final against FC Hartlepool.
Q: How are you feeling going into the final?
A: “I am very excited for the final. We must not get carried away or nervous with the occasion; we must remember we are there to do a job and to win the cup.
“Our league campaign has been disappointing, but the lads are very determined to give something back to the fans, staff, and volunteers who have been with us throughout the season.”
Q: How are you feeling about playing at the Stadium of Light?
A: “It is great for me personally to be able to play on the pitch of the club that I love. It will be a proud moment for me to see my family and friends in the stands where I have been myself.
“I still try to get to Sunderland games whenever I can and have had a season ticket since I was six years old. With that being said, I will not be getting carried away. As I said before, we are here to do a job on the 15th and bring home the club’s first bit of silverware since 2006.”
The Jacks’ opponents, Shildon AFC, have been in very good form this season and are currently three points behind first-place side Redcar Athletic.
Whilst at different ends of the Northern League Division One, there was not much between the two sides this season as Whickham beat Shildon away from home 3-2 and the Railway Men beat Whickham away from home 4-2.
Q: How good are Shildon?
A: “Shildon are a very good side, the league table does not lie, when we have played each other this season we beat them once and they have beaten us once. Maybe on paper, they will be favourites, but I believe that when we are at our best, we can surprise anyone, so I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Unfortunately, the Jacks were defeated 3-0 by West Auckland Town in last year’s final.
Q: What has the team learnt from last season’s final?
A: “Whilst I was not playing for the club last season. It was made clear at the beginning of the season by the manager that he wanted us to go one step further in the cup this season.
“Speaking to a lot of the lads about the result last season, there was a lot of positives to take from that experience, and that hurt can only make us stronger going into the game this season, and hopefully for the supporters, we can go one further for them this time around.”
Written By Marlind Ymeri
