Newton Aycliffe FC v Billingham Synthonia

By Martin Walker
Aycliffe’s dreams of reaching the Durham Challenge Cup semi-finals were shattered with a spirited defeat at Division One side Billingham Synthonia.
But a decent game was marred by two red cards for Aycliffe, with Mark Wood and Chris Renshaw both getting their marching orders.
In a scoreline which flattered the home side, Aycliffe matched Synners in many departments, although they rarely threatened Chris Porter’s goal, which was ultimately their downfall.
Lapses in concentration, compounded by Wood’s first-half red card, were also key components in Aycliffe’s defeat against a side sitting 12th in Division One.
But Allan Oliver’s side maintained their footballing approach and competed well against their superior opponents, despite not having kicked a ball for a month.
First-half goals by James Magowan and Darren Hollingsworth put Synners in the driving seat before Wood saw red just before half-time – the match referee somewhat dubiously sent the right-back off for apparent “threatening behaviour”.
It did Aycliffe no favours, although Oliver’s re-shuffle did. Dan Mellanby replaced Mark Bell and John Close came on for the unlucky Chase McMullen as Aycliffe adopted a 4-3-2 formation, and they arguably played the better football of the two sides in the second half.
A lack of clear-cut scoring chances, however, again proved their Achilles heal, and substitute Colin Iley sealed the win for Synners in the last minute moments before Renshaw was sent off for violent conduct.
The Durham Challenge Cup defeat leaves the Brooks Mileson League Cup as Aycliffe’s only remaining cup competition this season, with a home tie against Chester-le-Street on Wednesday February 10.