Deano Browne and Danny Mellanby’s reign as Team Managers at Aycliffe got off to a winning start, with a narrow win against Guisborough. The visitors got off to flying start, with a goal in the first minute. Alan Harrison failed to control a high ball and Mason McNeill took advantage and put a low shot past new keeper Phil Pentony. Aycliffe nearly got back straight away when a Josh Gray free-kick was saved by Guisborough keeper James Dawson. On 32 minutes, Aycliffe equalised when new Club captain Jamie Owens hit a shot with the outside of his left foot into the far corner of the net past Dawson. Aycliffe went 2-1 up 3 minutes later when James Marley hit a beauty into the top corner for a goal on his debut.
They went further ahead in injury time when Zak Boagey dribbled through and hit a shot which Dawson could only parry into the path of Ben Trotter who side-footed home for 3-1. Half- time 3-1. On 69 minutes, Guisborough got one back when mix-up in the Aycliffe defence allowed substitute Steve Roberts to slot in at the far post for 3-2. Both sides went for another goal and Dawson made a good save from Corey Nicholson on 85 minutes. There was a double sending off in injury time, when Alan Harrison (2 yellows) and David Onions (straight red) received their marching orders. Danny Mellanby said “it was a great performance from what was a new team, some of whom had only had one training session together.
The lads pulled together really well, it was a great result, not just for the team, but also for the Committee, who have endured a tough couple of weeks.” Aycliffe play Shildon on Tuesday 20 December at Moore Lane before a very welcome Christmas break. While many Northern League teams play on Boxing Day Aycliffe don’t have another fixture until Tuesday 3 January when they host Brandon in the Durham Challenge Cup.
Jamie
