Whickham began their pre-season preparations with a 3-2 win away to Coldstream thanks to a hat-trick from Charlie Aitken.
The Lang Jacks raced into a 3-0 lead following a 21-minute hat-trick from summer signing Aitken.
The hosts then scored twice in four minutes before half time to make the score 3-2.
Aitken gave Whickham the lead after 33 seconds tapping home the rebound after Tolu Osiyemi struck the post with a clever flick.
Three minutes later, Aitken doubled his tally when he lobbed the keeper following an exquisite through ball.
Sam Johnson had a great opportunity to make it three in the 19th minute after some great link-up play on the edge of the area between Osiyemi and Kyle Cockburn.
Aitken did make it three, two minutes later to complete his hat-trick after he sprung the offside trap once again and slotted the ball home with ease.
The home side were looking for a way back into the game and forced Robbie Smith into a reaction save from close range.
Coldstream did pull a goal back in the 37th minute after some good work from their No.7, who skipped past two Whickham defenders before slotting home.
A volley from Coldstream’s No.8 then rocketed into the top corner in the 41st minute to make the score 3-2.
Whickham then responded through some great work from Aitken on the right, he then squared it to Cockburn but his effort was too high.
Half Time: Coldstream 2-3 Whickham
Both sides made wholesale changes at the break with Whickham making as many as six changes for the second half.
Neither team created any chances in the opening stages of the second half following the mass changes at the break.
A long ball forward found Sam Johnson inside the area but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Sam Johnson was on the end of another long ball in the 72 minute but his headed effort was just wide.
Two minutes later, Johnson in the thick of things again this time he played in kingsland whose effort from an angle was just wide.
Johnson tapped the ball in at the back post in the 90th minute but the referee adjudged the Whickham forward to be in an offside position.
Full Time Coldstream 2-3 Whickham
Up Next: The Lang Jacks continue their pre-season preparations on Tuesday, July 2nd against Seaham Red Star.
Written by Callum Jacques
