Last weekend saw the County Cup come to Moore Lane for the Sports Club FC’s first ever outing in the competition. The 2nd Preliminary Round against Consett Fountain was always going to be a tough tie, one that would test the resolve of the Aycliffe side.
The game started brightly and straight from the Kick Off  Aycliffe broke through the Consett defence and glanced a shot just past the post. The early signs were good with the home side dominating the midfield, with Paul Cook maintaining his good early season form alongside the hard working Gareth Boyes and Craig Barrigan.
The early dominance could have and should have paid off, but the Sports Club mis-firing centre forwards failed to make the away keeper work too hard.
The second half mirrored the first half, with the home side having most of the possession but failing in the final third to make the dominance count and the game phased away with extra time looming.
With roll on, roll off subs being allowed in the competition this year both sides used the rule wisely to try and maintain energy levels in the burning heat.
It wasn’t until the 2nd period of extra time that the deadlock was finally broken. An excellent through ball found Chris Jones who held off the oncoming defenders, bore down on goal and confidently slotted past the Consett Keeper with only 8 minutes of extra time remaining.
However, this wasn’t to be the end of this entertaining game and after winning a corner with only 4 minutes remaining, Consett netted the equaliser to take the game to penalties.
David Teder only had to score the 5th penalty to win the tie and did so under intense pressure – NASC FCs first win in the County Cup.
The Sports Club now anxiously await details of the next round draw which will be published shortly.  NASC FC are away to The Wheatsheaf in the League Cup next Sunday hoping to maintain their good early season form.