Lang Jacks put four past Ryhope as they cruise to victory
Whickham produced arguably their best display of the season in a 4-1 away victory against Sunderland Ryhope.
The Lang Jacks stretched their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches thanks to a well organised professional performance at the Ryhope Recreation Ground.
Whickham took the lead in the early stages through in form striker Scott Robson.
However, the home team levelled on 38 minutes thanks to a brilliant goal by Kyle Davis from the edge of the box.
Scott Robson got his second of the match just before half time to send the visitors into the break with the lead.
Whickham dominated the second half, striker Nathan Greenwood scoring both goals in the latter stages of the match.
The win takes Whickham up to eighth in the league, with Ryhope remaining in sixth position.
The Lang Jacks got off to a flying start, Scott Robson latching onto a through ball by Zak Atkinson before drilling his shot under James Winter after just nine minutes.
Captain Ross Peareth almost doubled the visitors lead minutes later after Atkinson’s header was saved initially by Winter with the rebound rolling inches wide of Peareth’s boot for a tap in.
Greenwood was close to finding the back of the net on the half hour mark, the striker volleying a Scott Robson cross narrowly wide of Winter’s post.
Ryhope equalised against the run of play, Davis picking up the ball on the edge of the box, before brilliantly executing his effort from the outside of his boot into Anderson top left-hand corner.
The away team were not on level terms for long, Scott Robson scoring his ninth of the season two minutes before half time.
Kaleb Young assisted Robson’s second goal, the midfielder flicking the ball up before lofting an inch perfect cross for the on running Scott Robson to nod low and hard past Winter.
The second half was more of the same, Whickham dominating in every position.
Scott Robson came close to completing his hat-trick after being put through one on one with Winter.
The on-rushing goalkeeper managing to get a hand to the ball, diverting it over the crossbar for a corner.
Greenwood finally got his name on the scoresheet, Young winning his midfield battle before picking out Greenwood’s run, allowing the striker to slot coolly past Winter.
Only minutes later Greenwood had his second, Young again superbly finding Greenwood out on the left – the striker finding the back of the net with a well taken finish.
Whickham pushed for a fifth and almost scored through Scott Jasper, a corner from the right found Jasper in the middle of the box but his header went wide of Winter’s goal.
Whickham manager Tony Fawcett was thrilled with his team’s performance adding: “I thought they were magnificent, from the start we asked them to be physical and win the battles.
“We didn’t ask them to play lots of football to start with as the pitch was difficult, so we pressed and made them defend.
“We deserved our lead; it was one way traffic the whole game. I feel like we really dominated.
“The lads performed fantastic today, the whole team have been outstanding. They have won everything they had to win, and their first contact was really good.”
Fawcett spoke about the mentality of the squad following a disappointing defeat in midweek adding: “It’s easy to sulk after putting a shift in and losing last minute.
“We trained again on Tuesday and the turnout was phenomenal, they were at it again they are hungry to win.
“It shows as we’ve had a tough run of good teams we’ve played and we’re picking up points against them, it shows they are an outstanding bunch.”
Man of the match Kaleb Young said: “I think we dominated from the start; I think the lads put a shift in especially after Tuesday going down to ten men its hard on the legs.
“We dominated throughout, and it could have been more, but it’s good to get the three points on the board and climb the league.”
Speaking about his fellow midfielder Ross Peareth, Young added: “It’s good to play with him, he breaks up play well and allows me to go forward.
“I know if I’m going forward, he is going to be tracking back for me.
“It’s easy to play with him, he gets the ball down and plays and it’s good to have players like Scotty (Robson), Zak (Atkinson) and Nathan (Greenwood) upfront, you know for a fact they’re going to take someone on.”
Whickham’s Team: Anderson, Howard, Agnew, Burrell, Elliott, Dunn, Peareth ©, Young (Bisset 76’), Atkinson (Jasper 64’) Scott Robson (Jack Robson 82’), Greenwood.
Goals: Scott Robson 9’, 43’. Greenwood 70’, 72’.
Man of The Match: Kaleb Young