Newton Aycliffe FC v Northallerton Town

By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe's inaugral Northern League season came to a whimpering end as they crashed without reply to Northallerton Town, a side who can now pip the Newtonians for their much coveted eighth position.

A healthy crowd descended upon the Regency Stadium to witness Town's third sucessive victory which means that victory by a single goal at home to Washington in their final game will see them climb above Allan Oliver's side - who could slip to tenth if Whickham defeat Champions Stokesley on the same day.

Skipper Martin Butterworth - a scorer when the sides drew 3-3 in November - opened the scoring after just six minutes, ghosting through the visiting defence before firing low into Steven Richardson's left hand corner.

Aycliffe never really got going, and the best they had to offer was two long range efforts from Dion Raitt and Paul Broom which both sailed wide of Stephen Craggs' goal, both in the frst half.

In the second period, former Marske United striker Carl Chillingsworth could have added to the two goals he already has against Aycliffe this season, with a hat-trick of chances - Richardson saving well before 'Allerton's top scorer hit both crossbar and post, the latter from a guilt-edged one-on-one with Aycliffe's custodian.

'Chilly' had his say on the outcome however when he twice sent strike partner Steven Allison clear, first on 77 minutes then again 10 minutes later, both times the 21-year old coolly slotting past Richardson to condemn Aycliffe to their first defeat in seven outings.