Newton Aycliffe Women 1
v Darlington Spraire 3
Unfortunately, the unbeaten season came to an end against a very good Darlington Spraire team. The first half was mostly controlled by the visitors who created lots of chances, but Courtney kept Aycliffe in the game with some fantastic saves. Aycliffe had a few chances but couldn’t hit the target. However, it was Spraire who opened the scoring and led at half time.
Second half and, again Aycliffe started slow, a few changes made and we got a deserved equaliser. Beth, on her debut, with a pin point pass to Katie who rifled the ball into the net off the bar. Then a Spraire free kick, about 30 yards out, was sent into the box, an awkward bounce beats the Aycliffe keeper and the ball ends up in the net. The women then switched off as a long ball was chased by their winger, who crossed for an easy tap in, full time 1-3.
POTM: Jess, a strong performance, up against a very quick player.
Player Sponsor: (Katie Bragg) The White Daisies.
Badge Sponsor: Signs Express, South Durham & Teesside.
FC Hartlepool Reserves 3
v Newton Aycliffe Youth Seniors 2 (Cup)
Another cup day for the seniors as they travelled with a depleted squad, so they knew it was going to be a tough afternoon, First 20 minutes were even in midfield before a long ball, the first of many during the game, over the top caught Aycliffe out, but Adam Scott made a good save. It soon became clear that it was going to be one of those days when the bounce of the ball, on a bare pitch, goes the way of the home team. Another long ball and this time they finished well, as the ball broke to the edge of the box. Hartlepool were now getting bodies in the way of our shots and, when Aycliffe did get clear the chances, were wasted. Half time: 1-0. The lads opened up the second half, putting constant pressure on the Hartlepool defence. Eventually Aycliffe were rewarded with a superb strike from Andrew Burrows, which found the bottom corner. Then, in the space of 10 minutes, two more long balls caught Aycliffe out, on another day both could have been ruled out for offside, but the referee waived play on. The lads dragged one back, when Niall Douglas fired home with 10 minutes to go, to make it 3-2 to the home side.
Aycliffe deserved to find an equaliser from the second half, which they were the better team. In the final minute, a clear chance came from a free kick which was headed wide from two yards out. First defeat of the season and, as a team, the first defeat in 60 weeks of football. All good things come to an end and the challenge now is how the lads react to it. MOM: Andrew Burrows.
