Newton Aycliffe FC begin their Ebac Northern League season on Saturday 30 July with a home game against Newcastle Benfield.
Brian Atkinson begins his first full season in charge at Moore Lane with several new faces added to the squad. Amongst them is prolific striker Jamie Owens, returning for his third spell at the club. Most recently Jamie has been with Stockton Town, playing at Step 4 one level higher than the Northern League.
Aycliffe finished last season in fourth place in the League, their highest ever finish. Brian & Chairman Allan Oliver are looking to push on and improve on that.
The visit of Benfield brings some familiar faces back to the SecuriCorp Stadium. Atkinson’s predecessor, Colin Stromsoy, manages Benfield while several former Aycliffe players have joined him on Tyneside.
Aycliffe have completed a tough preseason schedule, designed to improve their fitness levels. Preseason included fixtures against higher opposition such as Darlington, Spennymoor Town and Sunderland Under 23s.
The fitness levels will be needed as the Aycliffe squad now face ten games before the end of August. Following Saturday’s game Seaham Red Star visit on Tuesday 2nd August (7.30pm kick off). That game is followed by a trip to Ashington on Saturday 6th August for the start of the Emirates FA Cup.
Fixtures
Sat 30th July v Newcastle Benfield (H)
Sat 2nd Aug v Seaham Red Star (H)
Sat 6th Aug v Ashington (A) FA Cup
Tue 9th Aug v Redcar Athletic (A)
Sat 13th Aug v Tow Law (H)
Tue 16th Aug v Crook Town (H)
Full details of this season’s fixtures are available on the club website:
www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk
Photo: Aycliffe in preseason action against Darlington.