Friday, 24 February, 2023
Ebac Northern League Division One
Heaton Stannington 4 Newton Aycliffe 0
Aycliffe travelled north to Heaton Stannington on Friday night, on the back of an unbeaten eleven league game run. The inclement weather was perhaps a sign of what was to come.
The only change in the Aycliffe starting line-up was the return of Adam McHugh in place of Decklan Greenwood in goal. Despite an escape, when Heaton Stannington hit the bar in the 15th minute, it was 31 minutes before the first goal. It was the home side who struck, through the number 11, Konnor Lamb. Shortly afterwards Aycliffe’s number two Callum Munro was cautioned. On 45 minutes he was joined by his teammate, Ethan Wood (7) in the referee’s notebook. Despite a chance for Liam Adamson to equalise, half-time came with the scoreline remaining at 1 nil to the hosts.
At the half-time interval Eddie Thomas (9) was replaced by Joey Smith (16). On 53 minutes Konnor Lamb (11) struck again for Heaton Stannington, 2 nil to the home side. Two minutes later Callum Munro (2) was given his second yellow and sent off. Aycliffe down to ten men!
On 63 minutes Heaton Stannington’s Jake Turnbull (7) was replaced by Andy Burn (17) after narrowly escaping a second yellow card, for an overly enthusiastic challenge from behind. After 65 minutes Heaton Stannington were awarded a penalty after Leighton Hopper (9) was brought down. It was Hopper who made it 3-0 from the spot kick. Hopper (9) was replaced by Jordan Lashley (14) a few minutes later. In the 68th minute Liam Adamson (11) made way for Jack Naylor (15).
On 75 minutes Heaton Stannington made it 4 nil when Andy Burn (14) struck. Shortly after that Aycliffe’s Liam Jarvie (10) and Ethan Wood (7) were replaced by Charlie Dawson (12) and Jack Clarkson (14). Heaton Stannington also made their final substitutions as Declan Bisset (10) and Dan Stephenson (8) were replaced by Josh Walker (16) and James Proctor (12).
The run of unbeaten league games comes to an end and Aycliffe get back to it again with eight games remaining of this season’s campaign. Just three at home and those are:
4th March, 3:00pm v Ashington AFC
18th March, 3:00pm v West Allotment Celtic
1st April, 3:00pm v Sunderland RCA
This coming Saturday it’s second place, Ashington we welcome to The SecuriCorp Stadium. Come along and support the lads, they’ve done Newton Aycliffe FC and the town proud, come and support them during the final run to the end of the season.
As well as Ashington on Saturday, we welcome GATC’s Mayor, Town Clerk and Councillors Jim Atkinson and Nev Jones to the game, recognising the use of the Oak Leaf Sports Complex as one of the club’s winter training facilities.