WEST AUCKLAND 1-1 WHICKHAM
Sat 14 July, 3:00PM, Fr
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West Auckland began the pre-season fixture list with a 1-1 draw in a useful run out against second division side Whickham.
Kyle Etherington, a young local keeper, did well to expertly tip a header over the bar early on before a defensive mix up saw a midfielder run through and set up their forward who promptly slipped the ball past Etherington for a 12th minute lead.
West came more strongly after this, Dale Jardine volleying over before Michael Heckley came close but could not force a header into the net. Whickham led at half time but West were the better second half side although left it late to force an equaliser.
Garry Barnes fired just wide, Jonathan Milroy lost his footing with an open goal after rounding the keeper before Brian Fairhurst was just beaten to the ball by the Whickham keeper. Whilst the linesman flagged for a free kick the game went on and when Stuart Owen was brought down, a penalty awarded. This decision was then reversed as Whickham survived the scare.
However 3 minutes from the end, Lee Ellison found Danny Key bursting into the box, the midfielder cut back inside, played the ball back to Ellison on the edge of the area and the forward curled his effort into the top of the net.
1 Kyle Etherington, 2 Leigh Grant, 3 Kevin Bromley, 4 Michael Heckley, 5 Brian Fairhurst, 6 Ian Maddison, 7 Danny Robinson, 8 Danny Richmond, 9 Dale Jardine, 10 Darren Kokes, 11 Stuart Owen
Subs Used: Danny Key, Garry Barnes, Lee Ellison, Jonathan Milroy