Newton Aycliffe FC v Stokesley

By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe’s Jekyll & Hyde form continued with a club record-equalling 4-1 reverse at home to Stokesley at a very wet and windy Moore Lane Park in front of just 112 spectators as weather conditions appeared to dampen the enthusiasm after consecutive victories earlier in the week.
Chris Renshaw returned but in an unfamiliar right wing role while Stuart Owen replaced Wayne Hall at left back.
Mark Wood also returned in place of Chase McMullen to partner Danny Robinson in midfield.
Aycliffe struggled to get Renshaw into the game and too many times their searching balls were cut out by a well organised Stokesley side.
Dan Lennon again showed promise in holding the ball up and on a different day would have had more luck with his clever through balls to strike partner Elliot Gardner.
Stokesley took the lead on 31 minutes when Richard Hoore back-heeled into the path of former RCA marksman Andy Jennings who converted left-footed first time.
The same player doubled the lead shortly after half time when he re-directed the superb Bryan Stewart’s volley away from Ste Richardson from six yards.
Two minutes later and Stewart penetrated into Aycliffe territory and crossed to Simon O’Shea at the back post for the simplest of nod-ins and despite Gardner pulling one back in the final quarter, Stewart got his reward in injury time when he slotted home off the post after breaking into the box once more, although much debate arose about the final touch as Owen unluckily seemed to inadvertently convert the ball as it rolled along the line.