Newton Aycliffe FC v Whitehaven

By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe were full value for a point on the blustery North-West coast as they recorded their second successive goalless league draw at Whitehaven.
Over half of the crowd had made the arduous journey over the A66 towards the Irish Sea and they witnessed a resilient Aycliffe side match a Whitehaven side sitting second in the sNL2 table.
Mark Wood was outstanding in an unfamiliar left back role and Sean Tarling bossed the midfield, in a game which experienced a not-so-fine blend of climatic delights.
Strong winds brought sporadic heavy showers but the pitch remained in immaculate condition throughout, testament to the ground staff who were given two days notice to prepare for the game.
Paul Stout may have scored inside 90 seconds but he failed to convert amongst a melee of defenders and two minutes later the same player outjumped the advancing Brian Miller only for his header to glide just over.
Wood was called into action in first half injury time, heading off the line from a corner and midway through the second half he seen his 25 yard effort bounce off the post with Miller beaten.
Whitehaven finished stronger and Gary Hodgson hit the post with a header before Craig Robson saw his injury time effort hooked off the line by Tarling.
Aycliffe would have took a point before setting off but the consensus amongst the two dozen Newtonians in attendance was that perhaps the side in red could've bagged all three against a side not backing up their lofty league position.