The Y&E took a 5-1 away victory at Whickham on Tuesday night. The win sees the lads consolidate their position in the top five.
There were returns to the starting lineup for Jack Dalton, Dan Jones, Mikey Roberts, and Harry Williams. The hosts, after a challenging week, were able to field some further new signings as they played their first home game since their management team and the bulk of their playing squad left the club. There was a decent Y&E following up on Tyneside for our first ever visit to the Glebe.
Early on we had most of the game, creating a few half-chances. Whickham were full of work rate and effort, but we managed to take the lead on 15 minutes. A lovely corner from Josh Larkin was met by Dan Jones, who directed a great header into the top corner of the goal. We kept the pressure on and had a few more chances, with Harry Williams flicking one onto the post.
On 26 minutes we doubled our advantage: Josh Larkin made a tackle just outside the box, the ball broke to Mikey Roberts, and he made no mistake from the edge of the area to add to his tally for the season.
At 2-0 up, Whickham started to come back into the game. The ball snuck past Callum in goal, but Jack Dalton was on hand to clear off the line. Whickham were having a good spell of play, and that was rewarded on 34 minutes with a fast break down the left-hand side before the ball was crossed over for Samuel Payne to slot home and make it 2-1. That’s how it stayed at half-time.
Into the second half, we started well and restored our two-goal cushion on 48 minutes. Tom Atkinson scored following another assist from Josh Larkin after excellent play down the right, with Foz Garton—who had come on for Jack Dalton—starting the move from full-back.
Once again, with us two goals up, Whickham came back into the game and it all felt a little end-to-end and hectic. Whickham were playing well considering how many new players they had in the team, and they stretched us at the back a few times.
With just under 15 minutes left, we made it 4-1. Harry Williams provided the cross and Josh Larkin was on hand with a diving header to score. Seven minutes later, Tom Atkinson got his second, finishing from close range to make it 5-1. That is how it stayed, and we picked up another three points.
Credit to Whickham: they never stopped all night and put in a big shift for their team. Best of luck to them for the rest of the season.
It was a tough, difficult game at times, with Whickham coming back into it, especially after we went two goals up. However, we came away with the three points and avoided a potential banana skin. Now we look ahead to two consecutive games against Kendal Town.
Man of the Match: Josh Larkin, who capped off a quality all-round display with a goal and two assists. He’s well and truly back to his best again.
