Tuesday, 14 February, 2022
Ebac Northern League Division One
Newton Aycliffe 3 Whitley Bay 1
Aycliffe go ten on the bounce…
Tuesday night at The SecuriCorp Stadium and Newton Aycliffe extended their unbeaten run to 10 league games. A crowd of 213 struggled to see much of the action on a foggy night that worsened as the game progressed. What promised to be a cracker of a game, judging by the away fixture back in November, was partially masked from the expectant crowd. First v third with everything to play for.
Goals from Callum Munro, Liam Jarvie and Jack Naylor hitting the spot with only the one return from Josh Gilchrist for the visitors.
Aycliffe opened the scoring early, on the five-minute mark, as Callum Munro turned in a ball from a corner on the right.
On the 35th minute Whitley Bay lost their skipper, Michael Hall, after an earlier stoppage for injury. A few minutes later Aycliffe’s Liam Jarvie was cautioned for delaying a restart.
It was that man Jarvie again, only five or so minutes later, who changed the game very much to Aycliffe’s advantage. Already the club’s leading scorer and closing in on the League’s leading scorer, Liam Jarvie broke clear and lobbed the keeper to make it 2 nil to Aycliffe on 45 minutes, almost on the stroke of half-time.
The resumption was delayed for a couple of minutes, weather related considerations no doubt. As it was, Liam Jarvie didn’t appear for the start of the second half and was replaced by Jack Naylor.
Whitley Bay number 4, Stephen Turnbull, was booked for dissent in the 50th minute.
In the 56th minute Jack Naylor who latched on to a Liam Adamson shot which visiting keeper Pat Nash could only parry and turned it in. 3 nil Aycliffe.
Once again, Aycliffe manager Brian Atkinson was happy to commit his young bench to the fray. Eddie Thomas making way for Jack Clarkson, followed by Charlie Dawson replacing Liam Adamson. Finally, it was Jacob Mallinson taking over from Joe Ferguson.
On 85 minutes, Ethan Wood was cautioned for a reckless challenge. In the 86th minute Josh Gilchrist got one back for the visitors making it 3-1 Aycliffe and the game came to an end. Aycliffe continue unbeaten at home for the 2022/23 season.
Skipper Aaron Brown deservedly took Man of the Match for his performance, as well as his role as skipper.
Next visitors to The SecuriCorp Stadium were Pickering Town on Saturday, 18th February. Whilst they have struggled at times this season, Pickering have strengthened their squad with more players based in the more usual Northern League areas.
Photo by Andy McFarlane. A scene setter before the fog drifts in.