After last week’s win over The British Legion, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club travelled to play 4th placed Tomkins of Darlington, knowing a win would guarantee promotion to the 1st Division at their first attempt in their first season.
A delayed kick off added to the tension, but Aycliffe started the more brightly of the two, dominating the early exchanges. A formation change to 4-1-3-2 saw the return of Paul Cook, playing in front of the back four and Connor Hughes returning after a season blighted with injury to the centre of midfield. Chris Jones was partnered with Glenn Hendrix up front for the first time this season.
For all of the possession Sports Club had, the Tomkins goalkeeper was never really challenged until a penalty was awarded after 10 minutes. Chris Jones stepped up and confidently slotted the ball home to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Aycliffe remained on top and the new strike partnership was developing well with good interaction. Hendrix took up the role of playing the wider of the two and gave the home sides left back a tough job, struggling to mark him with good movement, strength and pace from the centre forward.
The second goal came on the half hour mark, good link up play again between the front two which saw Jones flick over the head of the defender for Hendrix to chase in a drill home the second.
The second half was a more even affair with the home side digging deep to try and stop the Sports Clubs march to the top flight. Sloppy defending caught the Sports Club out and the home side took advantage to give them a chance of a comeback and they scored on 55 minutes to make it 1-2 and a chance to get back in the game.
However, the Aycliffe side responded quickly and Glenn Hendrix netted his brace to regain the two goal advantage.
The Sports Club then had fresh worries with both Ryan Stonehouse and Mark Craggs pulling up with Hamstring problems, and Gareth Boyes struggling with a similar problem – so a couple of quick changes were made.
Anth Campbell came on for Stonehouse and David Teder slotting into an unfamiliar role of Centre Half as cover for Mark Craggs – with Gareth Boyes deciding to stay on the pitch and help to steady the ship.
Tomkins took advantage of the changes and powered through to make it 2-3, but with time quickly running out NASC FC managed to hold on for the win and gain promotion in the Darlington Sunday Invitational League.
Congratulations to the entire squad for their participation so far this season and with the League Title and the League Cup still up for grabs, there’s still plenty to play for this season.
