Two wins in a week for Newton Aycliffe keeps them in a strong position in the Ebac Northern League Division One. After a 4-1 midweek win over Norton & Stockton Ancients Aycliffe travelled to Sunderland RCA on Saturday.
In a match at times played in a hailstorm Aycliffe ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from John Campbell.
The first half was goalless with the visitors having the better of the play but failing to turn the advantage into goals. Illness & injury forced manager Peter Dixon to shuffle his team with Dennis Knight finding himself at left back while Neil Pattinson moved to the centre of defence. Both had outstanding games in their unfamiliar roles.
Knight & Zak Boagey both saw shots go close in the first half but didn’t require a save from the RCA keeper. The traffic was certainly not all one way with Aycliffe keeper James Winter forced into action with a good save in the first fifteen minutes.
Winter was called on again shortly after the second half got under way stopping a shot from outside the box. Within a minute Aycliffe took the lead. A mis-kick by the home keeper gifted the ball to Campbell who fired home comfortably.
RCA fought back & Aycliffe’s defenders were fortunate to scramble away a corner. They equalised on 68 mins with Aycliffe losing the ball in midfield. It was played forward to Larkin who slotted a shot past the keeper.
Within five minutes Aycliffe had restored the lead with Campbell netting his second from close range, connecting with a ball across the box.
The last fifteen minutes were end to end but Aycliffe hung on to their lead & Campbell came close to a hat trick in the closing minutes. A long ball from defence found the forward on the half way line. He ran on to the edge of the penalty area & unleashed a shot which just cleared the crossbar.
Special Admission Offer
After a midweek trip to Whitley Bay, Aycliffe will play three consecutive home games at Moore Lane Park. Second placed Guisborough Town visit on Saturday 20 February, followed by Seaham Red Star on Tuesday 23rd & Dunston UTS on 27th.
The fixtures are coming thick & fast thanks to the weather postponements over the last couple of months. The club recognises that asking fans to fork out for three home games in a week is a big ask. We are offering, therefore, a discount for fans buying a ticket for all three games. A three game ticket will be available on Saturday 20th for £15 adults, £10 concessions representing a 20% discount on usual match day prices. Accompanied under 12s get free entry.
That’s three Northern League games for £15, approx half the price of the average cost of a single Premier League match. Get yourself along to Moore Lane Park to support our team in what is already the most successful season in our history.
