Newton Aycliffe Youth Seniors 2 v
Chester-le-Street Reserves 2
The visitors were sitting 4th in the league, after a good start to their season. There was nothing to really report in the first half with both of Aycliffe’s debutants looking good. The game was very scrappy and the only talking point was a Chester-le-Street player being yellow carded and sin binned with 30 seconds of the half to go. Into the 2nd half and CLS were awarded a penalty, which they converted with 30 minutes to go. Aycliffe were then awarded a penalty when Tom Kelly was wiped out by their keeper. The Chester player that was booked in the first half went too far in questioning the ref, which resulted in his second yellow and was sent off, their keeper was also yellow carded for the challenge. Niall stepped up and slotted home the penalty, when going to retrieve the ball, Niall was booked, but at the same time one of their lads was shown a yellow for dissent, instead of leaving it, he continued with the ref and was shown a second yellow. At 11 v 9, Aycliffe should have been the side pushing for the winner, but they lost their discipline allowing CLS to add a second with five minutes to go. Then Ryan Groves turned his man and found the bottom corner, 2-2. Again, Niall went to get the ball back, their keeper pushed him over, the ref booked both, resulting in red cards. Aycliffe pressed to find a winner in the remaining minutes, but could not find an opening.
Darlington FC 6 v NAYFC Women 1
Aycliffe knew coming into the game that they were the underdogs, against a team who are pushing for promotion and, despite the scoreline, Aycliffe were in the game for large parts of the match. They held Darlington for twenty five minutes, created the best chance of the match early on, and were unlucky to hit the post twice. The game shifted in the last fifteen minutes as they conceded a few goals, they know we could have prevented. There were moments where the passing and attacking play was the best of the season. The goal was brilliantly taken by Kate Williams, who beat the defence for pace and slotted past the keeper from the edge of the box. Player of the match was Bethany Mulhearn.