Newton Aycliffe made it through to the Second Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Vase with a win against Silsden AFC on Saturday. The Northern Counties East side made their first ever trip to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium but lost out 2-1 to Colin Stromsoy’s Aycliffe team.
Aycliffe had come from two hard fought local derbies which saw a win & a draw against West Auckland & Shildon over the Bank Holiday weekend. By contrast Silsden had an 11 day break since their last match.
Aycliffe’s match practice seemed to benefit them & on 24 minutes when Johnson Ballan dispossessed an opponent & whipped in a cross from the right which a defender headed past his own keeper.
The home side suffered a blow just before half-time when midfielder Marc Costello took a knock which caused him to be substituted. Despite this setback Aycliffe started the second half positively and went 2-0 up after 47 minutes. Shaun Ryder slid a perfect pass between two defenders to Dean Thexton. The centre forward calmly chipped the keeper to find the net.
The visitors pulled a goal back on 66 minutes leaving the home supporters to nervously wish for the final whistle as Aycliffe desperately defended their lead. To make matters worse Aycliffe defender Mattie Lowrie was shown a red card in the last few minutes for a dangerous tackle.
However Aycliffe managed to hang on & earn the win which sees them travel to Jarrow FC on Saturday 14 September.
It’s going to be a busy month for Aycliffe with seven games scheduled, the next five of them away. This week sees two tough games with visits to Stockton on Wednesday 4 September & Consett on Saturday 7 September. Stockton are currently second to Hebburn but have three games in hand & are the only team in the Ebac Northern League with a 100% record so far this season. Meanwhile Consett sit third with 12 points from 7 games.
Aycliffe are currently 9th with 10 points from 5 games.
Photo Aycliffe goalscorer Dean Thexton
SEPTEMBER FIXTURES
Ebac Northern League Division One
Wednesday 4th September – KO 7.45pm Stockton Town v Newton Aycliffe
Saturday 7th September – KO 3.00pm Consett v Newton Aycliffe
Tuesday 10th September – KO 7.30pm West Auckland v Newton Aycliffe
Saturday 14th September – KO 3.00pm Jarrow v Newton Aycliffe
Saturday 21st September – KO 3.00pm Seaham Red Star v Newton Aycliffe
Tuesday 24th September – KO 7.45pm Newton Aycliffe v Northallerton Town
Saturday 28th September – KO 3.00pm Newton Aycliffe v Whitley Bay
