Aycliffe started their defence of the Durham Challenge Cup with a 3-1 win over Bishops. Both sides looked to prise openings early on, with Aycliffe going closest on 10 minutes when Brian Close hit the post from a Stuart Banks free kick. They were unlucky again on 19 minutes when Ben Wood turned his marker and hit a fine shot against the crossbar. Bishops were also having chances, with Aycliffe being indebted to goalie James Winter for a point-blank save on 29 minutes. It only took the Bishops another minute after that to get the breakthrough, following a corner. Winter failed to clear and Adam Nicholls got the final touch for 0-1. Aycliffe got back on level terms after 35 minutes when Zak Boagey scored a typical goal for him, hitting a great 25-yard shot over ex-Aycliffe keeper Scott Pocklington into the top of the net. 1-1 remained the score at half-time. Ben Wood repeated the feat from 30 yards out on 61 minutes, hitting it over the goalie for 2-1. Boagey nearly got his second after 78 minutes when he beat Pocklington but the ball came back out off the post. Aycliffe put the game out of reach on 85 minutes when John Campbell curled a free-kick over the wall for 3-1. Bishop’s Alex Francis was sent off on 86 minutes for 2 bookable offences