Forthcoming fixtures:
Saturday 3rd January, 3:00pm (h) West Allotment Celtic
Tuesday 6th January, 7:30pm (a) West Auckland
Saturday 10th January, 3:00pm (a) Shildon
Tuesday 13th January, 7:30pm (h) Ashington
Saturday 17th January, 3:00pm (a) Bedlington Terriers
Santa was less than generous to Newton Aycliffe FC with just one point coming from the two Saturdays either side of Christmas Day. In both games late opposition goals deprived Aycliffe of much needed points.
On the Saturday before Christmas Aycliffe played a 2-2 draw against Newcastle Benfield at Moore Lane.
Benfield took the lead on 13 mins but Aycliffe fought back and scored two goals before half-time. Both goals came in similar fashion with crosses from Dennis Knight being headed home by the central defenders, Dan Mitton on 26 mins and Andrew Green on 42 mins.
Both sides had chances in the second half but in the last ten minutes Benfield piled on the pressure and Aycliffe’s defending became more desperate. Inevitably, the goal came with a cross being smartly put away by Benfield substitute Lewis Scorgie.
After Christmas Aycliffe were away to Bishop Auckland. A goal in the 5th minute of added time deprived Aycliffe of a point at a freezing cold Heritage Park. The game was heading for a scrappy goalless draw until Bishop centre-forward John Butler scored from close range.
Aycliffe started well enough with Dennis Knight having a good shot saved by Bishop keeper Stevie Richardson after 9 mins. The former Aycliffe stopper was deputising for suspended Scott Pocklington. Ten minutes later Knight took a free kick from outside the box which was headed away for a corner. That was headed goal bound, but went out for a goal-kick.
The second half began with early pressure from Bishop but Aycliffe fought back and on 51 mins Connor Winter was brought down just outside the box. Unfortunately the resulting free kick was fired wide without troubling the keeper.
With a minute of normal time to go Aycliffe sub Jordan Laidler pressed on down the right wing putting a good cross into the box. Unfortunately Zak Boagey’s shot was too weak to trouble Richardson.With 6 minutes being added a draw still seemed the most likely result. However, the hammer blow for Aycliffe came right at the end when James Winter was unable to gather a cross which fell to Butler to slot home.
One point from the six available over Christmas is not what Aycliffe wanted but hopefully the New Year will bring more goals and points.
