Newton Aycliffe FC have had a week to forget, with 2 heavy defeats plunging them right back into a relegation struggle with the final 10 games of the season approaching.
Possibly the only bright point to have emerged from the 2 losses has been the re-emergence of Jamie Owens, now over his broken ankle and able to take a seat on the bench for Saturday. Allan Oliver will be dearly hoping that he regains his goal scoring from to shoot Aycliffe to safety.
But in truth, it will be the other end of the field that is of more concern for Oliver, who has seen his side ship 4, 5, 3, 3 and 3 goals in the last five games. The goal difference that was once looking like being worth a point to his team has suddenly plummeted to -14.
Saturdays game at Consett’s new look ground offered Aycliffe a chance to quickly forget Wednesday nights home defeat to Durham City. The Aycliffe line-up showed a number of changes as Oliver seeks the answers to his side’s recent form. Goalkeeper Andrews Spence was injured during the Durham game, and so Owen Little, who only signed on Friday from Gateshead Rutherford replaced him between the stick.
And in an effort to offer a little more protection to the back 4, Oliver switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mitton and Owen designated to sit and protect the defence.
And early on, the signs were certainly promising. Mid way through the first half, Tom Atkinson continued his recent hot streak in front of goal as he again displayed his composed finishing skills to give Aycliffe a deserved lead.
It was a lead the visitors were to hold until half-time. Oliver will have been delighted with the way his side performed in the opening period, and will have sent them out for the second half confident of picking up their first win on 2014.
But alas, the second half, as it was last week at Crook, was a different story. Although Aycliffe held out until the hour mark, once they were breached, it was a sorry story. After Mackay equalised for the hosts, Lakonga quickly put the Steelmen into the lead.
From that point on there was only likely to be one winner, and so it proved. However boss Oliver will have been frustrated that once again, Aycliffe conceded two goals in close succession. Cuthbertson made the game 3-1 on 79 minutes, and before Aycliffe could regain their composure, Mackay had made it 4-1 just a minute later.
Aycliffe will be hoping to turn this alarming slump in form around on Tuesday, when they make the short trip to Heritage Park to face Bishop Auckland, who will feature several Aycliffe old boys in their ranks.
Off the field things are going better for Aycliffe! Ticket sales for the Evening with the 3 Legends in partnership with NA Juniors FC are going well. If you want to attend the event, on Friday 28th March at Newton Aycliffe WMC, contact Dan Lewis on djl@thesoccerfactoryltd.co.uk. Tickets also available for the Darts evening on May 9th, with a chance to play a leg of darts against Terry Jenkins. Paul McGeary can be contacted on mcgearypaul@hotmail.co.uk for full details.