Newton Aycliffe will play a friendly against Sunderland Under 23’s Friday evening, 15th July. The game at the SecuriCorp Stadium, Moore Lane will kick off at 7.15pm. The game will provide another tough test for ex-Sunderland player Brian Atkinson’s team as they prepare for the new Northern League season. The Newtonians have so far won against Easington, lost to Darlington and drawn to Abbey Hey.
That game will be followed by the visit of Spennymoor on Tuesday 19th July (7.30pm kick off).
Meanwhile, the FA has announced the draws for the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Vase. Aycliffe have been drawn away to Ashington in the Extra Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup. The game will take place on Saturday 6th August with the winners away to either Tadcaster Albion or Tow Law. In the Isuzu FA Vase, Aycliffe have been drawn at home to Esh Winning in a tie due to be played on Saturday 27th August. The winners of that tie will travel to either Birtley Town or Ilkley Town.
Picture by Yvonne Wood: Aycliffe lost 5-2 to Darlington in an entertaining friendly on 5th July.