Category: Match Previews

FA Vase | That FA Vase win 40 years ago…

This weekend we face Willington away in the First Qualifying round of the FA Vase and with the 40th anniversary of our FA Vase victory coming up, we thought we’d take you back to the day of the final and reminisce on the last time the FA Vase was brought back up to Whickham.

This season will mark the 40th anniversary of Whickham FC’s last ever FA Vase win, so we decided to look reflect on one of the proudest days in the Whickham community.

After scraping to defeat Windsor & Eton in the semi-finals, The Lang Jacks set off on the long trip down to the Old Wembley to play Wilenhall FC with around 5,000 Whickham supporters also heading to London to cheer the lads on.

Whickham FC supporter Graham Laidler recalls his memories from the trip down to the final:

“I was 11 and got the specifically chartered train to London.. it seemed to stop every five minutes and took an age to get there. It was chucking it down on Wembley way as we went in”.

The rain would seemingly capture the mood of the 5,000 travelling supporters as Whickham fell 2-0 behind after 10 minutes.

Alan Scott pulled a goal back for the North Eastern side before Ronnie Williamson scored the equaliser to send the match to extra time before Billy Cawthra completed a dramatic comeback when he broke away before seeing his shot deflect into the net and send the fans into utter elation.

This cup victory was the last honour to be won by a North Eastern side at the Old Wembley.

So the heroes from that day returned home with the trophy, expecting few people to turn up and celebrate the cup win but to their surprise hundreds upon hundreds turned up to enjoy the occasion.

Graham also spoke about the parade saying that he remembers that “The Glebe club was rammed and the doors were locked.. people were passing flags through the letterbox to get autographs”.

 

Match Preview: Ashington vs Whickham

After two weeks without a match, Whickham return to action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Ashington at Woodhorn Lane.

The Lang Jacks ended their unwanted league run of no win since mid-August when they beat Thornaby 2-0 earlier this month.

However, postponements have hampered Matty Pattison and John Oster’s tenure since then, but both will be aiming for maximum points in the six-pointer against the Colliers.

Ashington are also on a baron streak of their own, the Colliers are without a win in their last eight games in all competitions.

The two sides faced each other twice last season, with the Colliers winning 3-2 at home, but Whickham won 5-0 at The Glebe later in the campaign.

Ashington vs Whickham

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FW

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £2 Concessions

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Ashington currently sit 16th in the Northern League Division One table with a record of five wins, one draw and 12 defeats in their 18 games this season.

The Colliers, during their run of eight straight defeats, have conceded 28 goals and were also knocked out of the Northumberland Senior Cup.

In their last outing, Ian Skinner’s men were edged out 3-2 by Whitley Bay. After trailing in the game, the Colliers were leading 2-1, but then conceded two goals in the final half-hour.

A win for Ashington could see them climb up one place in the league table, while a victory for Whickham could mean they move above the Colliers.

Form Guide

Ashington: L L L L L

Last Match: Lost 3-2 vs Whitley Bay (A)

Whickham: L L W L L

Last Match: Lost 4-0 vs Stockton Town (H)

Pre-Match Interview

Assistant Manager John Oster said: “It’s a so-called six-pointer really, with them only being two points in front us.

“Having looked at the table, they’ve lost their last eight games, so hopefully, if we go there and play near the levels that we played in our last few games, we’ll hopefully get something from the game.

“Having the game called off last Saturday has enabled some of the lads, who were struggling for the game, a few more days to get fit, so fingers crossed we’ll have more bodies back for the game, which is good.”

Match Preview: Thornaby vs Whickham


It doesn’t get much bigger than this for both teams as a huge three points are at stake when Whickham travel down to take on Thornaby on Saturday afternoon.

The Lang Jacks are currently bottom of the Northern League Division One table, with 11 points from 17 games, while the Blues are two places above them (18th) and have 14 points from 14 matches.

Whickham haven’t won a league game since mid-August, a 2-1 win away at Sunderland RCA. Thornaby have won two of their last three league matches, both of which were at home.

The two sides have already faced each other twice so far this season. The Lang Jacks we’re comfortable winners in the league game in August, but Thornaby come from behind to win 2-1 in the FA Cup, just 10 days later.

Thornaby vs Whickham

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: Teesdale Park, Acklam Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 7JU

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Thornaby currently sit 18th in the Division One table, in their first season back. They’ve played 14 league games, with a record of four wins, two draws and eight defeats.

The Blues put together an unbeaten run of four games, which included three victories, recently, but that was abruptly ended after a 4-0 defeat to Seaham during the week.
seven home league games (3-1-3)

Thornaby lost against Whickham in the league fixture at The Glebe, back in August, but won in the FA Cup just over a week later. Both teams know just how big this game is.

Form Guide

Thornaby: D W W W L

Last Match: Lost 4-0 vs Seaham Red Star (A)

Whickham: W L L L L

Last Match: Lost 2-0 vs Newcastle Benfield (H)

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Matty Pattison said: “We need to turn the corner. I said to the boys in the dressing room afterwards (on Wednesday) that there’s only so many times we can say that we gave maximum effort and desire.

“Sometimes that isn’t enough. We need to learn from mistakes and we need to do that quickly and cut them out completely. Sometimes (Newcastle Benfield) got in a little to easily.

“The stuff that we spoke about, we just need to cut that out of our game. If we do that, we give ourselves a better platform to go and win a game.”

Match Preview: Northallerton Town vs Whickham

Whickham are back in action as they travel to Northallerton Town on Saturday afternoon, in what will be Matty Pattison’s first game in charge.

The Lang Jacks were all set to take on Ryhope CW, at home, last weekend, but a late postponement meant Pattison had to wait for his first match as manager of Whickham.

The match at the Calvert Stadium sees two of the bottom three teams go head-to-head. A huge three points is at stake and a win could potentially mean Whickham climb up a few places – with just three points separating the bottom six clubs.

Whickham last faced Northallerton back when the two sides were in Division Two together. The Lang Jacks took home all three points in April 2018 after a 3-2 victory away from home.

Northallerton Town vs Whickham

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: The Calvert Stadium, Ainderby Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8HA

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, £1 Kids

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

In their first season back in Division One, Northallerton currently sit 18th in the league having won four of their 16 games this season.

Northallerton, in terms of league form, have won two of their previous 10 games. They’ve played seven home league games, winning one and losing six.

Darren Trotter will have new signing Lee Brockbank in the squad for the game after Town signed the full-back on loan from Marske United.

Nick Martin will, no doubt, be one of Northallerton’s key players. The striker signed for Town in 2016 and notched his 250th Northern League goal during the 2018-19 season.

Form Guide

Northallerton Town: W L W L L

Last Match: Lost 2-1 vs Thornaby (A)

Whickham: L W L L L

Last Match: Lost 3-1 vs Guisborough Town (A)

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Matty Pattison said: “It’s excited. It’s a new start. Myself and John have had a couple of weeks now to get to work with the lads.

“We’re looking forward to the game. We are hoping the boys have taken on board what we spoke about, put it into the game and go into the game full of confidence. Then hopefully we can get the result.”

He continued: “You’re going away from home, so it’s going to be a tough game. I’ve said many times before that there are no easy games.

“We’re looking to get that win that we need and the win that we’ve probably deserved over the last couple of weeks. I’m expecting the boys to be chomping at the bit to get into the game and get going because they missed last week.”

Match Preview: Guisborough Town vs Whickham

Whickham are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel down to take on Guisborough Town at the King George V Ground.

The Lang Jacks have happy memories of the ground as they won 3-2 there last season thanks to goals from Max Cowburn, Dale Burrell and Andrew Bulford. In the reverse fixture, the two sides played out a goalless draw.

Matty Pattison remains in charge of the team for the game down in Cleveland and will be hoping the side are able to end their winless run in the league.

After falling behind early against Seaham Red Star in their last match, Whickham come back to level, but were edged out 3-2 in the end and were unfortunate not to pick up anything from the game.

Guisborough Town vs Whickham

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: King George V Ground, Howlbeck Road, Guisborough, Cleveland, TS14 6LE

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £7 Adults, £4 Concessions, Under-12s free with paying adult

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Guisborough currently sit 11th in the Division One table and have won one of their last six league matches.

In their last two matches, they lost 4-0 against Newcastle Benfield in the FA Vase last weekend and 4-1 at home to North Shields in their last league match.

Striker Danny Earl was made available for transfer this week, so the Priorymen will be without the prolific goal-scorer on Saturday afternoon.

Form Guide

Guisborough Town: L W W L L

Last Match: Lost 4-0 vs Newcastle Benfield (A)

Whickham: W L W L L

Last Match: Lost 3-2 vs Seaham Red Star (H)

Pre-Match Interview

Interim Manager Matty Pattison said: “I know it’s a cliché, but there’s no easy games in this league. We know this is going to be a tough game.

“We just need to manage it, be prepared, be organised and then we need to have a proper away performance, where we go and get the result because we really need it.

“If we get the result, it will give everybody a lift, everyone at the club. It’ll give us a chance to build from there.”

Match Preview: Whickham vs Billingham Town

Whickham return to league action on Wednesday evening when they welcome Billingham Town to The First Mortgage Glebe.

The Lang Jacks were last victorious, in league action, back in mid-August and have been handed a boost, with a number of players coming back from injury.

Their game against Ashington, on Saturday, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so it’s been a week since the Lang Jacks were in action – a 5-0 win against Darlington in the Durham Challenge Cup.

Whickham vs Billingham Town

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Kick-Off: 7:30pm

Ground: The First Mortgage Glebe, Rose Avenue, Whickham, NE16 4NA

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, Under-16s Free

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Billingham Town have settled into life in Division One well and currently sit mid-table at the end of October.

In their last 13 matches, only six have been in the league and Billingham Town have won four, drawn one and lost just one match.

Meanwhile, they progressed through to the Second Round of the Durham Challenge Cup, just like Whickham, after a 3-0 win away at Sunderland West End.

They will also be hoping to return to winning ways in the league after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Newton Aycliffe in their last match in Division One.

Form Guide

Whickham: W L W L W

Last Match: Won 5-0 vs Darlington (H) – Durham Challenge Cup

Billingham Town: W L L L W

Last Match: Won 3-0 vs Sunderland West End (A) – Durham Challenge Cup

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Robin Falcus said: “We’ve just got to look forward to our next game, which is tonight against Billingham Town. As a team, and as a manager, I’m positive because there’s players coming back.

“We’ve got Kieran (Galbraith) back, Lewis Gibbons and Finners had come back in and it looks like Conor Newton is only a week or two weeks away from returning.”

Match Programme

Issue 12 of our matchday programme will be on sale as you enter the ground, priced at £1.50 for an issue full of exclusive content.

Issue 12 of The Lang Jack

Match Preview: Whickham vs Darlington

Whickham will be looking to bounce from from Saturday’s defeat when they play host to National League North side Darlington on Wednesday evening.

The Quakers are expected to bring a youthful side for the Durham Challenge Cup match, but it’s likely that a few first-team players could be involved in the game.

Robin Falcus’ side are now winless in their last nine league matches, but have got to the First Round of the DCC after a victory away at Silksworth CW.

Whickham vs Darlington

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Kick-Off: 7:30pm

Ground: The First Mortgage Glebe, Rose Avenue, Whickham, NE16 4NA

Competition: Durham Challenge Cup – First Round

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, Under-16s Free

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Darlington come into the game against Whickham having won five-straight matches in all competitions.

Their last defeat was in the home game against York City back in mid-September and they are one of the form teams at the moment.

On Saturday, they qualified for the First Round of the FA Cup after beating Tamworth. There is likely to be a mixture of youth and first-team players in the squad tonight, but, nevertheless, they will provide a tough test for their opponents. 

Form Guide

Whickham: L W L W L

Last Match: Lost 4-1 vs Bishop Auckland (H)

Bishop Auckland: W W W W W

Last Match: Won 3-0 vs Tamworth – FA Cup

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Robin Falcus said: “We drew Darlington a few years ago and they brought a youthful team up then. When the draw was made, I had that in the back of my mind and a feeling that they may do the same this time around.

“I was hoping that they would bring their big-hitters up, so we could get a good gate and really have a good test against a really top team. However, we aren’t taking this game for granted, not at all.

“We will be putting a very strong team out because they may have a few first-teamers in there. We’re just not too sure.”

Match Programme

Issue 11 of our matchday programme will be on sale as you enter the ground, priced at £1.50 for an issue full of exclusive content.

Issue 11 of The Lang Jack

Match Preview: Whickham vs Bishop Auckland

Whickham will be playing their third-consecutive home game, in the space of a week, when they play host to Bishop Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

The Lang Jacks were in action during the week and rounded off their Northern League Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Jarrow, which sees them top Group G having won all four group matches.

In the league, however, they are still looking for their first victory since the 2-1 win away to Sunderland RCA in mid-August.

Whickham and Bishops have faced already this season, with the Lang Jacks coming from behind to record a 2-1 victory at Heritage Park – midfielder Dale Burrell scored from inside his own half that evening.

Whickham vs Bishop Auckland

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019

Kick-Off: 3:00pm

Ground: The First Mortgage Glebe, Rose Avenue, Whickham, NE16 4NA

Competition: Northern League Division One

Admission: £6 Adults, £4 Concessions, Under-16s Free

Live Updates: @WhickhamFC

The Opposition

Ian Chandler’s men have also had mixed fortune in the league this season. They currently sit 12th in the table having won five of their 12 games, drawing two and losing seven.

Bishops haven’t been in league action for the last two weeks, playing three cup matches since their 3-0 defeat away to North Shields.

Following that, they lost 3-1 at home to Penrith in the League Cup, but bounced back to edge past Padiham in the FA Vase thanks to Christopher Winn’s first-half strike.

On Tuesday evening, their League Cup group stage finished with a 2-2 draw away to Division Two outfit Sunderland West End, which meant the Two Blues finished bottom of Group G.

Bishops have played nine away games in the league this season and have won three, drawn one and lost four of those matches.

Form Guide

Whickham: L L W L W

Last Match: Won 2-0 vs Jarrow (H) – League Cup

Bishop Auckland: D L L W D

Last Match: Drew 2-2 vs Sunderland West End (A) – League Cup

Pre-Match Interview

Manager Robin Falcus said: “I’m expecting a really tough game. Both sides haven’t really lived up to expectations from the start of the season.

“It’s going to be a very important game and one that both teams need to win. It’s something that we’re desperate for. We’ve got to start winning games and keeping clean-sheets.

“It’s about going back to basics, trying to keep that clean-sheet because we’re capable of scoring goals with the quality that we have.

“Having said that, we do have Carl Finnigan, Lewis Gibbons, Stephen Little (suspended), Kieran Galbraith and Conor Newton out injured. We’re confident that we’ve got enough in the squad to go on and get the three points that we’re desperate for.”

Match Programme

Issue 10 of our matchday programme will be on sale as you enter the ground, priced at £1.50 for an issue full of exclusive content.

Issue 10 of The Lang Jack