Saturday 18th August
Ebac Northern League Division One
Newton Aycliffe 1 v Seaham Red Star 2
Newton Aycliffe lost at home in the league, when they went down 2-1 to Seaham Red Star. Both sides failed to produce any flowing moves and good football, with Seaham just about deserving the win. Aycliffe suffered 3 injuries in the first ten minutes, and had to make an early change when Tom Gavin came on for Matty Pennal. Aaron Ramsbottom got through the defensive line on 24 minutes, but was deemed offside. Two minutes later Gavin was unlucky when he headed a cross against the bar, with Seaham keeper Hunter beaten. Ramsbottom then forced Hunter into a good save, and then hit the side netting, as Aycliffe had a spell of pressure. Seaham came back and ex-Aycliffe player Warren Byrne wriggled free in the penalty box, but curled his shot just wide. Ryan Noble had a couple of chances for Aycliffe, but put a header and shot wide. As half time approached, Seaham had a couple of chances, but didn’t trouble James Winter in the Aycliffe goal. Noble hit a good shot on target on 53 minutes, but Hunter was equal to it, turning it around the post for a corner.
Aycliffe man-of-the-match Winter made two great saves in the space of three minutes, as Seaham pressed. They got their reward on 67 minutes when a defensive error let in Bryne and he ran on to slot past Winter. Eight minutes later they doubled their advantage, when a cross from the left found its way through to Gardiner, who made no mistake. Aycliffe tried to get back into the game, and Hunter made two good saves from Ramsbottom and Noble, before Ramsbottom scored in injury time, but Seaham held on for the win.
The next game is on Tuesday 21st August against Whickham. Aycliffe then have a rearranged game on Saturday 25 August when Bishop Auckland will be the visitors to Moore Lane. Bank Holiday Monday sees the Newtonians make the short trip to Dean Street, Shildon for a league game with an 11:00 kick off. We then play Bishop again, this time at Heritage Park when the Buildbase FA Vase gets underway on Saturday 1st September.
