Newton Aycliffe FC v North Shields

By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe climbed three places to eighth with a hard-working win at home to North Shields.
Few will disagree that the first half was an uninspiring affair for another strong Aycliffe crowd, with John Amos blowing the only real chance on goal after 32 minutes, Ste Richardson saving excellently when faced one-on-one with the Robins' number 10.
Stu Owen had a half chance at the other end while certain sections of the ground thought Ross Atkinson's header had crept in rather than just missing Richardson's upright.

The second half in contrast was full of incident. Paul Broom sprung the offside trap to square for Owen to net on the hour and for his persistent arguing and a tirade of abuse aimed at the linesman, Chris Farman got yellow cards in quick succession and duly had to leave the field.

This temporarily galvanised the visitors whilst unnerving the home side and on 69 minutes, a speculative long range effort from Glen Taylor crept inside Richardson's right hand post, Aycliffe's goalkeeper later admitting he should've done better.

Two minutes later though and Broom again fashioned an opening, felled by captain Brian Smith in the area. Mark Wood took the spot-kick and sent Michael Robinson the wrong way. Wood's third of the season, his second from the spot.

Further controversy ensued on 81 minutes and with the outstanding Chris Renshaw marshalling Amos into the area, the Shields striker picked his moment and dropped to the floor, with little persuasion offered from Aycliffe's number four.
The referee waved away the penalty claims but retracted his decision when his linesman flagged. Top scorer Robbie Livermore stepped up but placed his spot-kick just too high of Richardson's top left corner.

With Shields chasing the game late on, 'keeper Robinson darted out of his area in haste at getting the ball forward.
Elliot Gardner put in the tackle and the ball ricocheted to Dion Raitt who had the freedom of Moore Lane Park to run the ball in from near half-way, a late bobble almost causing the Aycliffe skipper some embarrassment.