Newton Aycliffe had a busy Bank Holiday weekend with a win against West Auckland & draw with Shildon.

Two local derbies in three days at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium kept the supporters entertained.

Attention now turns from League to Cup. Silsden, from the Northern Counties East League, will be the visitors on Saturday 31 August (kick off 3pm) when the Buildbase FA Vase gets underway. There are 667 teams entered into this year’s competition each vying for a place in the final at Wembley in May.

Please come along & support our town’s team. Admission is £6 adults & £4 concessions

Newton Aycliffe came back from being 2-0 down to win 3-2 against West Auckland last Saturday. The early exchanges were even, but West Auckland then stunned Aycliffe with two goals in the 12th and 16th minutes. Burnicle hit a good shot across home keeper Adam Pickford for the first, and then Amar Purewal headed in a cross. Aycliffe steadied themselves and were rewarded on 28 minutes when a good team move led to Gez Richardson crossing to Dean Thexton, who shimmied past his marker and gave West keeper Flynn no chance for 2-1. Aycliffe pressed for the remainder of the half, but couldn’t find a way through.

Aycliffe continued to play their football in the second half, and started to boss the game. They got themselves onto level terms on 57 minutes. Shaun Ryder worked hard to keep the ball in play wide out on the left, and when the cross came into the box Johnson Ballan controlled it well, turned his marker and fired the ball low into the corner of the net. Aycliffe got in front on 68 minutes when man-of-the match Thexton wriggled past two defenders before flicking the ball to Ryder, who chipped the ball over the keeper. In the next minute, Francis was sent off for West Auckland for a bad tackle on Ballan, who had to be substituted. Aycliffe easily saw out time, and sent their fans home happy.

MOTM: Thexton.

Attendance: 136.

On Bank Holiday Monday a crowd of 315 were entertained to a 2-2 draw with Shildon. Goals from Shaun Ryder & Dean Thexton looked to have given Aycliffe the victory but a 94th minute own-goal salvaged a point for the Railwaymen.

MOTM: Ryder.

Attendance: 315

Photo: Shaun Ryder scoring Aycliffe’s winning goal against West Auckland