Newton Aycliffe FC were beaten for the 8th consecutive game since the new year, this time 5-2 at already relegated Hebburn. The one glimmer of light for Allan Oliver and his men this week came with the news their First Division status had officially been preserved, due to Team Northumbria being beaten at Ashington.
On paper this was a game Aycliffe would have looked at as a chance to end that poor run of form. Hebburn have been second bottom of the table for most of the season, and were relegated some weeks ago. Aycliffe started brightly, Martin Young had an early chance for Aycliffe, but his shot went over the bar.
However after 13 minutes, Hebburn took the lead from their first attack. Spence did well to save to his left. But from the corner slack defending allowed Scott to head home. It took Aycliffe just 6 minutes to equalise. Atkinson, drove down the wing and crossed into the middle. Before the ball got to Mickle, the Hebburn defender put it into his own net.
Midway through the half, both keepers made good saves to keep the score 1-1, before Aycliffe saw a second goal ruled out for offside. Hebburn regained the lead though, as former Aycliffe player Reay turned home the loose ball after a corner. They were almost 3-1 in front, but this time the linesman’s flag came to Aycliffes rescue!
There were just 47 minutes on the clock when Gary Wood played a delightful ball through for Mickle to run on and finish left footed. Parity didn’t remain for long though. On 55 minutes, McMahon’s cross rebounded off the post to North, who had the easiest of chances to make it 3-2.
In an open and entertaining game, Aycliffe were gifted a penalty after seeing a foul on Mickle. Jamie Owens stepped up and promptly saw his kick saved by Rogers in the Hebburn goal. Oliver looked to change things, with a triple substitution seeing Raitt, Atkinson and Owens replaced by Mellanby, Broom and Hedley, and a chance to try 4-4-2 formation. Powerful striker North, rose above Mitton in the Aycliffe defence to head past Spence, and effectively finish the contest. With just 5 minutes remaining, Aycliffe’s misery was compounded.
Oliver conceded a foul on the edge of the box and was shown a yellow card. McMahon stepped up to the free kick, which Spence could only parry. The loose ball fell straight to North who nodded in for his hat-trick.
In truth, a very poor day for Aycliffe. The players will feel they owe the manager and supporters a performance this weekend, as they host Bedlington Terriers on Saturday, before the home game with Shildon on Monday evening.