Newton Aycliffe FC v Sunderland RCA

By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe claimed a shock win at league-leaders Sunderland RCA with a superb away performance on Wearside yesterday.
They say it’s a funny old game, and it was Aycliffe who were laughing all the way home from Ryhope as they became the first team to beat second division table-toppers Ryhope.
A positional shake-up saw Mark Wood restored to his natural midfield position and Chris Renshaw tried up front in a tactical piece of genius from Allan Oliver. Paul Stout's withdrawal through injury saw Sean Tarling revert to full back as Dan Mitton moved inside.

Renshaw's quality shone all game, and even when he reverted to centre half for the last 10 minutes his standard never dropped.

It was battling work from the ex-Tow Law man down the right which brought the opening goal on 34 minutes, pulling the ball into the channel for Paul Broom to cross and Elliot Gardner to stroke home his seventh of the season.

Aycliffe, defending the slope in the second period never looked in danger, and deservedly doubled their lead with 15 minutes to go.
Broom again orchestral in the move, finding Stewie Owen in the box to fire home from six yards with his right foot.