Latest Fixtures
Sat 6 Oct: Ashington (a) 3pm
Wed 10 Oct: Consett (h) 7.30pm
Sat 13 Oct: Esh Winning (h) (FA Vase Q1) 3pm
Sat 20 Oct: Billingham Synthonia (h) 3pm
Tues 23 Oct: Sunderland RCA (a) 7.30pm
Sat 27 Oct: Whitley Bay (a) 3pm
Wed 31 Oct: Spennymoor (h) (Durham Chall Cup R2) 7.30pm
Newton Aycliffe suffered a crushing record defeat as they crashed at home to second bottom club Billingham Town last Saturday. The defeat compounds the miserable start to the campaign which the club has endured, but spirit in the camp remains positive amid premature talk of a relegation battle.
Goalkeeper Scott Pocklington saw red for a professional foul just before half-time, and with the score already at 2-0, there was no way back for the hosts. Fledgling reserve ‘keeper Ryan Farley stepped up to the mark, and made a string of top drawer saves – including a penalty – as he debuted for his hometown club at the tender age of 17.
Aycliffe started brighter than their opponents, and top scorer Danny Earl almost hooked them ahead when he beat ‘keeper Dan Molyneux to a long ball but saw his 20-yard effort cannon back off the crossbar. Stephen Flockett and Craig Perry capitalised on two errors in the Aycliffe box, to deliver a double hammer-blow on 25 and 26 minutes, both netting from close range. Pocklington saw red when he failed to deal with a long ball towards his area, and was adjudged to have felled Nick Martin with the interval looming.
Farley came on and with his first touch, saved Darlington target Jamie Owens’ spot-kick, but as Aycliffe failed to clear their lines, Perry rifled home his second on the stroke of half time.
The second half was one-way traffic as Owens completed a marvellous hat trick, complemented by further goals from Craig Norman and James Middleton as Aycliffe had no answer with their one man handicap. Skipper Sean Tarling almost scored a late consolation but saw Middleton handily placed on the line to clear his goal bound left-foot effort.
• Meanwhile, ticket sales for the club’s latest fundraiser have shown promise in their first week of release. Hilarious hypnotist act Adam Night will perform at Aycliffe Sports Club on Friday 26th October, with tickets priced at just £10 which includes a disco and table bites. For information on the evening, or to book tickets, please contact General Manager Dan Lewis on 07581 784726.
