Newton Aycliffe will again compete in the Northern League first division next season after escaping the drop this week.a
The Royal Blues thumped relegated Norton & Stockton 4-0 on Monday night – their second successive 4-0 win on a Monday at Moore Lane Park – to move on the brink of safety.
But a defeat for Sunderland RCA on Tuesday night against Whitley Bay meant Aycliffe could not finish in the bottom three and will be facing local rivals Shildon, Bishop Auckland and West Auckland once again next year.
Allan Oliver’s men will round the season off with a home game against Guisborough on Saturday, where it is hoped a large crowd will come and celebrate the end of the season.
Another four goal win would also add to the carnival atmosphere.
On Monday Fred Woodhouse opened the scoring in the first half, while a Stuart Owen brace and a Danny Earl strike completed a comfortable win over the Ancients, who turned up with just 10 players.
Darren Craddock was unavailable so Josh Knox dropped into the defence with Martin Young returning to the midfield.
Aycliffe struggled to break down the visitors in the early stages but that changed in the 26th minute as right-back Stephen Gibson’s cross found Woodhouse at the back post and the former Stockton Town man clinically headed home.
Earl was denied a second on the stroke of half-time by a brilliant save from former Darlington goalkeeper Jack Norton, but the floodgates opened in the second half.
Three minutes after the break Owen’s sweetly-struck volley at the far post from Earl’s cross doubled the lead.
Wooudhouse hit the crossbar before Earl headed wide as Aycliffe took full control of proceedings.
And the third came with 15 minutes left as substitute Sean Tarling sent Earl clear and the striker swept home from close range.
Owen rounded the game off a minute later as he drew a foul in the penalty area and then dispatched his spot-kick beyond Norton’s grasp.
