Saturday 6th August
Emirates FA Cup
Ashington 3 v Newton Aycliffe 2
Newton Aycliffe fell at the first hurdle in this season’s Emirates FA Cup despite taking a two goal lead in the first twenty minutes. The Newtonians were drawn away to Ashington who, like Aycliffe, had taken two wins from the first week of the season.
The Colliers have strengthened their squad over the close season, bringing in several new players, while Aycliffe were somewhat depleted due to injuries.
However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 14th minute thanks to a Callum Munro goal. The defender’s cross hit the post, and an Ashington player, before finding the net. Three minutes later Munro grabbed his second. Liam Jarvie found space on the right and squared to Jamie Owens. The centre forward passed to Munro whose initial shot was blocked but he was able to bundle the rebound over the line.
Ashington pulled a goal back five minutes later. A good run down the wing saw the ball crossed into the box for Lee Mason to score from close range.
Aycliffe maintained the lead into half-time but, ten minutes after the re-start, Ashington levelled the score through Lewis Suddick.
Worse was to follow for the visitors on 69 minutes when Dean Briggs fired an excellent shot past Adam McHugh and into the Aycliffe net.
Both sides had chances in the time left in the game, the best coming five minutes from time. Jack Oliver hit the post, the rebound falling to Oscar Taylor whose shot flew high over the crossbar.
With that, Aycliffe’s Emirates FA Cup came to an end. Attention now moves once again to the League with a trip to Redcar Athletic on Tuesday 9 August followed by two home games: Tow Law Town on Saturday 13th August and Crook Town on Tuesday 16th August.
Aycliffe were due to play Sunderland RCA away on Saturday 20th August. However, that match has now been postponed due to RCA’s progression in the FA Cup.
Forthcoming Fixtures:
Saturday 13th August (H) Town Law Town
Tuesday 16th August (H) Crook Town
Tuesday 23rd August (A) Pickering Town
Saturday 27th August (H) Esh Winning – FA Vase
Monday 29th August (A) Bishop Auckland
Photo by Yvonne Wood, Aycliffe’s Callum Munro forces the ball over the line for Aycliffe’s second goal against Ashington.
