Saturday 26th January
Ebac Northern League Division One
West Auckland 0 v Newton Aycliffe 1
Aycliffe’s new manager Colin Stromsoy saw his side take it’s first win in 7 league outings at West Auckland on Saturday. Skipper Dan Mitton returned from injury to put in a Man of the Match performance in the centre of defence while Josh Home-Jackson scored the only goal of the game.
There were two new signings in the team, midfielder Gerard Richardson who signed from Ashington & left back Scott Howes returning for his second spell at the club.
The first 20 minutes of the match saw few chances for either side. On 23 minutes Aycliffe came close when an Ethan Wood free kick found Marc Costello but his header was off target. A few minutes later West had a chance but Alex Francis’ shot was saved by Adam Pickford diving to his left.
Ali Alshabeeb had a shot for Aycliffe from 30yds on 35 minutes but it was easily saved by West keeper Shane Bland.
As halftime approached West had the best chance of the half but Amar Purewal’s header was off target.
HT 0-0.
Aycliffe started the second half well with Kurt Matthews working well to feed Richardson but the angle was too tight for an effective shot. West also had chances & Pickford had to pull off a good save.
The breakthrough came on 69 minutes when Home-Jackson reacted quickly & his shot looped over Bland into the net. West piled on the pressure for the last twenty minutes but the Aycliffe defence, led by Mitton, held firm for a much needed victory. FT 0-1
The win lifts Aycliffe to 12th in the league. They now have a break with their next match being at home to Sunderland RCA on Saturday 9 February.
Photos: New Manager Colin Stromsoy and goalscorer Josh Home-Jackson.
