Saturday 8th September – Ebac Northern League Division One

Newton Aycliffe 0 West Auckland 7

Newton Aycliffe suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat at home to local rivals West Auckland. The visitors played fluent football throughout the match and made their attacking intentions clear early on; Aycliffe keeper James Winter had to make a fantastic double save from Purewal after only five minutes. Ten minutes later, his fellow striker Fisher put his shot past the post with the goal gaping. Aycliffe then had a good spell of pressure and Ramsbottom was put through the line and brought out a good save by Bland in the West Auckland goal. From the resulting corner, Aycliffe hit the bar and in the follow-up Bland made another good save from Thibault Charmey. Aycliffe were to regret those missed chances. West Auckland fashioned a good move down the left on 33 minutes, and a cross found Purewal unmarked to head in for the opener. Three minutes later, they increased the lead when Mitchell hit an unstoppable shot across Winter. Aycliffe man-of-the-match Winter made another good save from Purewal before the break. In the second half Aycliffe kept plugging away, but the visitors dominated the play, and added four goals in ten minutes, leading up to the hour mark, with another from Purewal, two from Fisher and a screamer from Price. Aycliffe did have a good chance on 70 minutes when Kent was put through, but Bland pulled off a good save. Purewal went on to get his hat-trick when he was put through one-on-one, to make it seven without reply.

MOTM: Winter.

Attendance: 142.

Aycliffe’s scheduled fixture on Wednesday 12 September has been postponed as their opponents Newcastle Benfield will be playing an FA Cup replay. With no game on Saturday 15 September it means that Aycliffe’s next match will be on Tuesday 18 September (kick off 7:30pm) when they are at home to Willington in the Preliminary Round of the Durham Challenge Cup.

Meanwhile on Friday 14 September the recently formed Newton Aycliffe Womens FC will play Bishop Auckland Ladies at Moore Lane with a 7pm kick off. Come along to support our town’s newest team.