Last weekend saw Newton Aycliffe Sports Club FC travel to Peterlee for the Third Pre-liminary Round of The Durham County Cup. Peterlee Helford are a strong team, regulary challenging for honours in the Peterlee and District Sunday Premier league, with a good performance history in this competition.
The first half started badly for Aycliffe, with Captain David Hall being substituted in the first minute with thigh strain, replaced by Carl Little. The home side started very quickly pressing onto the back four from the off. Some excellent link up play down the left hand side stretched the Aycliffe defence and within 5 minutes, they were a goal up.
The Sports Club picked themselves back up and a perfect crossfield free kick from Paul Cook, found Matty Alder un-marked at the back post to head home the equaliser.
Peterlee then dominated the play, scoring 2 goals in quick succession. A few narrow escapes saw the hosts hit the bar, the post and an Adam Gittins clearance off the line helped to keep NASC FC in the game.
The home side scored a fourth from the penalty spot where goalkeeper Steve Richardson only just failed to get his hand to, and a fifth goal just before half time pretty much killed the game off for the Sports Club.
Substitutions at half time saw Chris Palmer replace Steve Richardson in goal and Anth Campbell replacing goalscorer Matty Alder who came off with a bruised rib from the tough tackling home side. In the second half Aycliffe were more involved in the play, and the heavy wind and rain evened both sides out. Peterlee scored their 6th goal 10 minutes into the second half, and hit the woodwork on a couple more occasions.
The fighting spirit from the Sports Club helped to ensure the goal tally did not increase and the final two substitutes were used to help maintain energy levels, with David Teder replacing Gareth Boyes and Chase McMullen replacing the hard working Damien Jose.
With only minutes remaining, a long pass found Chase McMullen who advanced on the keeper, but with possibly too much time to make his mind up, struck the ball just inches wide of the goal.
A disappointing result for the Sports Club which sees their debut season’s first defeat, but all credit to the Peterlee side who had the class and the physical dominance to ensure there was no progress to the next round for the Aycliffe team.
