Newton Aycliffe’s 2012-13 campaign burst into life last week as Allan Oliver’s side recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season to haul themselves off the bottom of the Ebac Northern League first division.
The Newtonians climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time in two months after consecutive five-goal wins – a 5-0 midweek rout at Norton followed by a 5-1 victory at home to Team Northumbria.
Ten goals in two games, while conceding just the one thanks to in-form keeper Scott Pocklington, was a feat that was weeks in the making.
The back-to-back triumphs came as Aycliffe announced plans to sell tickets for their derby with Darlington in a fortnight at normal prices (£5 adults, £3 concessions) in advance of the game.
On-fire forward Fred Woodhouse bagged another two goals last Saturday, after his Norton hat-trick, while Danny Earl, Kris Hughes and Paul Broom also notched at home to Team Northumbria to propel Aycliffe up to 20th (fifth-bottom) in the table – two points clear of the trapdoor.
But it was the nature of their second win of the week which would have pleased Oliver most. If they were good at Norton, they were outstanding against Team North, playing their best football of the season with four or five contenders for the man-of-the-match award.
Pocklington – one of those contenders – was actually the first of the two goalkeepers to be tested in the eighth minute after Team North left-back Liam Clough, a PE teacher at Woodham Academy in the town, hit a thundering 20-yard drive which Pocklington had to tip over the bar.
Aycliffe produced a smart move in the 15th minute when Mark Wood played a neat one-two before his shot was saved by Andrew Jennison, and the keeper parried Martin Young’s rebound round the post to complete an impressive double-save.
Jennison was on hand again two minutes later, denying Earl, but the opening goal came after 27 minutes when Hughes’ acrobatic effort was only half-cleared, and Woodhouse hooked the loose ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The Blues doubled their lead six minutes later when Pocklington pinged a brilliant long ball for Earl to latch on to before coolly slotting past Jennison.
It was a solid first-half performance by Aycliffe, but they really turned on the style after the break, playing some attractive football.
Perhaps guilty of over-playing it in the Team North box, the third goal didn’t arrive until the 78th minute – Earl did well before pulling back for Hughes to drill home. It was four just a few minutes later when Earl did well again before pulling back for Woodhouse to sweep the ball home.
The visitors grabbed a consolation in the 86th minute when Peter Watling fired past Pocklington from 20 yards, but Broom completed the scoring for Aycliffe when his last-minute shot was deflected past Jennison.
Fans of both Darlo and Aycliffe can get their hands on tickets for the big game in two weeks, either from the Sports Club bar, or online at www.nafc-online.co.uk
Aycliffe’s general manager Dan Lewis said: “We’re trying to cover every angle in the hope of minimising disruption and easing congestion on the day, so a designated ticket-only entrance will be in operation which will speed up admission for those who buy in advance.”
Two home games have been added to Aycliffe’s already busy December schedule. The Newtonians will now welcome Celtic Nation to Moore Lane Park on Wednesday 5th December, as well as Penrith on Wednesday 19th December.
LATEST FIXTURES
Saturday 24th November: Guisborough Town (A) 3pm
Saturday 1st December: Durham City (H) 3pm
Wednesday 5th December: Celtic Nation (H) 7.30pm
Saturday 8th December: Darlington 1883 (H) 3pm
