Newton Aycliffe FC secured their First Division status in style on Saturday with a 2-1 win at a windswept Ashington. The Colliers have been the Northern League’s in-form team of late however their seven game winning streak was brought to an end by a determined Aycliffe side. As has often been the case Aycliffe relied heavily on their defence to keep their opponents at bay. Dan Mitton & particularly Mark Stephenson were outstanding in the centre.
Aycliffe knew that points from this game would ensure their survival regardless of other results. In the end, with both Billingham Synthonia & Celtic Nation losing, they would have stayed up without this win. However, the effort put in by the whole team made sure that the league season ended on a high note.
The home team applied early pressure on the Aycliffe goal but stand-in keeper Nick Christoloudou made some fine saves to keep his team in the game, one of them being a remarkable effort getting a hand to a shot despite being on the ground injured!
It was Aycliffe though who took the lead on 24 mins. Paul Garthwaite was fouled 20 yards from goal. Jordan Laidler lined up the free kick & scored with a well struck shot which evaded the wall.
Ashington equalised in the 67th minute with a shot from Taylor which looped into the net. Aycliffe came back at the home side & again Laidler was involved. Running into the box he found himself bundled to the ground and the referee awarded a penalty. Stuart Banks was as reliable as ever from the spot placing the ball beyond the keeper’s reach.
This performance was an excellent way to end the league season, however, Aycliffe now have one more game to play. On 31 March Aycliffe lost 3-1 in the League Cup semi-final (again at Ashington). However, the League Management Committee later ruled that Ashington had played an ineligible play & disqualified them from the competition. Ashington have the right to appeal to the Football Association, however, subject to any appeal Aycliffe will now play in the Final against Shildon. The game will take place at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland on Tuesday 5 May (kick off 7:00pm).
The pitch at Moore Lane Park still has a number of games being played on it. The first of these is on Friday 17 April when we host the Durham FA Under23’s League Cup Final with Durham City taking on Guisborough. Admission is free. Kick off is 7 pm.
On Thursday 30 April we also host Durham County FA Under 18’s Sundays Final. You can watch Durham County U18 team against Darlington Youth U17’s. The kick off is 7 pm. Admission Adults £2, Concessions £1.
On Friday 1 May we host once again the Darlington Charity Cup Final. Kick off is 6.30 pm.
Finally, NAFC former treasurer Paul McGeary is holding his charity game in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma on Saturday 2 May. Kick off is 12.30 pm. This game will involve a host of current and former players of Newton Aycliffe FC.
Snacks and drinks will be available to buy from the bait cabin during each of the above games.
Stuart Banks. scores the penalty which secured Aycliffe’s place in the First Division
