Clinical Lang Jacks claim all three points against Whitley Bay

Whickham FC 3 – 0 Whitley Bay 

Whickham got 2022 off to a flying start after claiming an impressive 3-0 home victory over Whitley Bay. 

Nathan Greenwood put Whickham on their way after just 13 seconds. While fellow strikers Scott Robson and Jack Robson added to the scoring before half-time.

Tony Fawcett’s team moved into eighth place following victory, maintaining their 100% home record at First Mortgage Glebe since he was appointed manager in October. 

Whickham were the stronger of the two teams from the first whistle and made the visitors pay after just 13 seconds. 

Greenwood picked up a loose ball just inside the area, before drifting past a couple of Bay defenders and slotting past Dan Lister in the Whitley Bay goal.  

The home team continued to apply the pressure through Scott Robson

The Whickham number nine was through on goal and unselfishly squared to strike partner Jack Robson, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Whickham’s front three caused problems all afternoon, and their efforts paid off again on 24 minutes. Jack Robson tapping home a Scott Robson cross from three yards out.

Whickham’s third goal came six minutes before half-time. Greenwood picked up the ball on the right, skilfully skipped past his man, before delivering an inch perfect cross for Scott Robson to slot home. 

Greenwood almost grabbed his fourth early in the second half after Jamie Dunn won a free-kick down the right. The strikers curling free kick went inches wide of Lister’s far post. 

Whitley Bay had goalkeeper Lister to thank in the second half for keeping the score at 3-0. 

The visiting goalkeeper denied former player Dunn from close range on two occasions, before saving Greenwood’s free kick from the edge of the box. 

New signing Kaleb Young impressed on his debut, the former Birtley Town man controlled the game from midfield. 

Young was close to grabbing an assist but Scott Robson headed his cross just over Lister’s crossbar. 

Greenwood again was in the mist of the action the striker cut inside and drilled a shot into the bottom right corner, but Lister was equal to his effort. 

The Lang Jacks kept calm and composed to see the game out. Claiming their seventh win and sixth clean sheet in nine games under Fawcett. 

After the game Whickham’s manager reflected on his sides victory over his former club. He said: “We are pleased we won and pleased we have won quite comfortable. 

“We are also a little bit disappointed, we felt at the start of the game we were quite open and give up too many chances for our liking.

“In the second half we were a bit naive in front of goal and should have scored a few more. 

“We are pleased with the three points and pleased with the clean sheet but disappointed with the overall performance.

Fawcett was delighted with his defence keeping another clean sheet, he added:” It’s something I’ve always had pride in, even when I was a player. 

“I think if you don’t concede you don’t lose a game. It’s massively important, we’ve got to have pride in who we are and what we do. 

“When you keep a clean sheet it shows were hard to score against and we’ve got that belief in ourselves. 

“Our lads at the back today were brilliant, probably the best I’ve seen them since I came to the club. It gives that belief in the team to go and attack, knowing that the lads can defend so well.”

Whickham team: Anderson, Howard (Elliott 70’), Burrell, Galbraith, Agnew, Dunn, Young (Bisset 85’), Peareth ©, Greenwood, S. Robson, J. Robson (Jasper 62’)

Unused Subs: Below, Bolton. 

Goals: Greenwood 1’, J. Robson 24’, S. Robson 39’