Tuesday 20 December
Ebac Northern League Division 1
Newton Aycliffe 0 v Shildon 1
The Railwaymen edged this local derby with a late winner from Anthony Bell two minutes from time. The new-look Aycliffe side matched Shildon all the way in a tight match that was played with good sportsmanship throughout by both sides. Both sets of forwards probed for weaknesses in the defences early on. Josh Gray let in Ben Trotter on 5 minutes, but his attempt went past the post. 3 minutes later, Phil Pentony made a good save from Lewis Wing, as the Champions pressed. Both sides continued to trade half-chances.
Aycliffe then had a good spell in which Corey Nicholson had a free-kick topped over the bar, and Josh Gray brought out a great save from Shildon keeper Peter Jeffries. Then it was Shildon’s turn, and after a spell of pressure they put an unmarked header past the post from a corner. Nicholson then had a good chance for Aycliffe, running in at speed at the back post, but couldn’t keep his shot down. Half-time 0-0.
Shildon came out strongly and within 2 minutes, Purewal worked an opening, but could only shoot straight at Pentony. On 49 minutes, captain Daniel Moore hit the bar with a well-aimed header. Both sides continued to attack and counter-attack in an absorbing second half, but without finding a breakthrough.
Then, with two minutes left on the clock, Shildon were awarded a free-kick on the right-side touchline. Anthony Bell took it and swung in a high ball aiming for the far post. It caught on the swirling wind and deceived Pentony in the home goal for 0-1. Shildon managed to hold on and took all 3 points.
MOTM Aycliffe : Dan Mitton; MOTM Shildon : Anthony Bell.
