The Stadium of Light will play host to the Frank Pattison Durham Challenge Cup Final tonight at 7.30 pm.

It will be a face-off between Northern League Division One sides as Whickham and West Auckland both hope to lift the coveted trophy to cap impressive seasons for each.

It has been a standout season for a particularly prolific pair across both sides, with Scott Robson scoring 39 and Joshua Scott scoring 37 in the league for Whickham and West respectively.

The Lang Jacks were the North East’s furthest progressing side in the FA Vase, reaching the round of 16 before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat on the road to Emley.

Club manager Lee Haldane spoke to Whickham’s website, saying: “It is what we have worked for, from everyone to the top to the bottom of the club, but we still have a big job to do before, people have got to get themselves inside the squad, never mind the side.”

Winners of the trophy in 2020/21, West Auckland have enjoyed a successful league campaign this season - with a play-off spot guaranteed in their bid to join near-neighbours Bishop Auckland in promotion to step four.

The aforementioned Scott continued his fine goalscoring form on Saturday, adding another hat-trick to his game in the final 90 of the Northern League season - he also scored a brace against Whickham in a 4-2 win earlier this month.

Previewing the fixture, manager Gary Forrest said: “Apart from Gary Brown and Nick Liversedge, we have a young squad who are just starting out on their football career.  This is their reward for putting in a big season and chance to be part of a special occasion.
“The game will be played on a great surface and it will be about who handles the occasion the better and who has the most players who step up to the mark and want to play football.

“I hope the clubs, the teams and the fans make it a really good occasion that’s appreciated by everyone, including Sunderland AFC so we can encourage the club to continue to hold the final at the ground.”

Durham County FA CEO John Topping added ‘ To play the final at the Stadium of Light is a fantastic occasion for both teams players, management, officials and their supporters and also the match officials and their families, I am sure we will see a great match.  

This is an occasion to enjoy and for teams to aspire to be part of, there will be a lot of young supporters attending and lets hope we can continue to play the final at the Stadium and you never know one or both these teams could be in it again next season’.