There have been several occasions this season when we have reported that Newton Aycliffe FC will be playing the biggest game in their history. In a season which has seen the Moore Lane side surpass all previous club records in the FA Cup & FA Vase that’s hardly surprising. This has been an exceptional season for the team.
On Good Friday 25th March, Aycliffe will be playing the biggest game in their 50 year history when they meet Whickham in the final of the Durham Challenge Cup. The game will be played at the Hetton Centre with a kick off time of 11:00am.
Aycliffe’s previous best was reaching the semi final way back in 1969. At that time the team was known as “Newton Aycliffe Sports Club Rangers” and caused a stir by putting Crook Town out in the quarter final but were denied a final appearance by Ferryhill Athletic. Beating Crook Town was a major shock at the time. On 10 March 1969 the Evening Despatch reported:
“Newton Aycliffe Sports Club Rangers shook North East amateur soccer followers on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Crook in the third round of the Durham Challenge Cup. Most people thought Crook would have little difficulty in progressing into the semi-final at the expense of the Auckland & District League side but Rangers had other ideas. Newton Aycliffe have an impressive record. In the competition they have defeated Reyrolles (away), Stanley United (home) and now Crook Town (away).”
It would appear that Crook Town did get something from that game as records show that Aycliffe goalscorer David Blythe was playing for them by the following month!
That it has taken 47 years to get the club to a position where it can compete for the County Cup shows the level of progress that has been made in recent years.
This season’s run in the Cup has seen victory’s against Stockton Town, Hartlepool FC, Washington & an epic semi final against South Shields which was decided on penalties.
We’re hoping as many Newtonians as possible will make their way to the Hetton Centre on Good Friday to support the team & hopefully bring the Durham Challenge Cup to Aycliffe. Whickham are in the division below Aycliffe & had a great result beating West Auckland in their semi-final.
The ground is at Welfare Road, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring DH5 9NE. Admission is £5, concessions £2.
You can keep up to date with Aycliffe’s fixtures at www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk or follow us on Facebook at Newtonaycliffefc or on Twitter @NAycliffeFC