Aycliffe warmed up for Saturday’s crucial FA Vase clash at home to Marske Utd. with an emphatic win over Wearside League side Hartlepool FC in the Durham Challenge Cup. The win earns them a Third Round tie against either Washington or Shildon.
This was another “home” game at New Ferens Park in Durham as Moore Lane continues to recover from the wet spell.
Zak Boagey set the tone for the game with a goal in the first two minutes. A low corner from Dennis Knight rebounded to Boagey whose shot hit the net via the underside of the bar.
With 22 minutes gone Boagey combined with Ashley Coffey to provide a cross for John Campbell to score. Within a minute Man of the Match Campbell secured his second with a solo run & shot from the edge of the box.
With five minutes to go to half time Coffey embarked on a strong run down the left wing & put an excellent cross into the box. Hartlepool FC’s centre half had the misfortune to put the cross into his own net.
Aycliffe started the second half in determined fashion with Boagey scoring his second after 50 minutes. The goal came with a superb chip from the edge of the box.
Kieron Watson replaced Knight after an hour & found himself on the scoresheet with 14 minutes to go. Shrugging off a defender Watson slotted his shot past the keeper into the net.
With five minutes left central defender Grant Hickman powered a header into the net. Two more goals came before the final whistle with Boagey completing his hat-trick & Watson netting a second.
Despite the score-line Hartlepool did have chances & Lewis Brass, deputising in the Aycliffe goal for James Winter, pulled off two fantastic saves. Winter was one of several regulars on the bench as Peter Dixon rested some of his key players.
Attention now turns to the FA Vase. Aycliffe play Marske Utd on Saturday 23 January at Moore Lane KO 3:00pm. Admission is £6 adults & £4 concessions. The winners travel to Camberley Town in the last 16 of the competition.
