Newton Aycliffe FC v Birtley Town

By Paul McGeary
League leaders Newton Aycliffe extended their advantage at the top of the second division to eight points after a 6-1 romp away to mid-table Birtley Town.
Allan Oliver's side certainly showed six appeal with their sixth straight away win as six different players got their name on the visiting scoresheet.
The win extended the Newtonians unbeaten league run to a massive 14 games with Washington the last side to take maximum points off Oliver's men, back on September 11th.
Former Sunderland Academy star Ben Wood came into the starting line-up for Dan Mellanby while Fred Woodhouse's absence was covered by Stuart Owen, who enjoyed his best outing in an Aycliffe shirt this season.
Craig Mickle came back into the fold and took his place on the bench, despite a heavily bandaged thumb which has kept him out in recent weeks.
On what began a mild evening in the shadows of the Gateshead Angel, Aycliffe started the colder of the two sides and fell a goal behind in just the 12th minute when Birtley's top scorer Martin Roper got the benefit of a tight offside call to advance on Scott Pocklington and slip the hosts ahead.
It was Roper's 12th goal of a debut Northern League season, three more than established names David Onions of Guisborough and Chester's Mark Davison - both 20-goal strikers last term.
Three minutes later and it was almost unlucky thirteen for the visitors as Roper once more outpaced the defence but this time Pocklington was equal to the youngster's 20-yard drive, saving smartly at his near post.
This shook Aycliffe into action and nine minutes later parity was restored. After a jinking run and shot from Wood was cleared off the line by skipper Davy Hopper, Paul Broom's resultant corner was headed into the net by left-back Sean Davies, unmarked six yards from goal.
This was Davies first goal in 18 games since his summer switch from Sunderland RCA as he finally looks to have nailed down the left full-back berth.
Four minutes later and the visitors took control of the game. Davies turned defence into attack with a long clearance and with Wood hooking on from the halfway line, top scorer Warren Byrne had the task of carrying the ball in on goal before slotting past Paul Dawson in the home goal, despite his best efforts to keep the ball out.
A moment of contention rocked Scott Oliver's 12th-placed team in the 36th minute as Roper thought he had scored the equalising goal. After expertly turning Mark Peck 20-yards out, Town's number nine lofted the ball over Pocklington who managed to get his fingers to the dipping ball before turning and scrambling it off his line, with many claiming it to be over.
This would turn out to be the catalyst for the Hoops' demise as Aycliffe seized on their moment of apparent fortune. Davies almost doubled his tally for the evening a minute later only to find Dawson in fine form at the other end, saving well for a corner.
Just 60-seconds into the second half and Aycliffe did stretch their lead. Owen dazzled three defenders with a mazy run into the opposition box and although he was tackled on the penalty spot, the loose ball ran to Elliot Gardner who smashed the ball first time into the corner of Dawson's net for his 10th goal of the season.
Gardner, playing once more in the unfamiliar role of central midfield in the continued absence of broken toe victim Josh Knox, was dictating the play with an energetic display and now had a fine goal to cap the performance that would see him awarded the Man of the Match award for the second game running.
Owen himself got a well deserved goal just before the hour when he blasted low into Dawson's net after Paul Broom's cross-come-shot from the right had evaded everyone on the six-yard line and made its way to the 24-year-old winger in the back post region.
Wood almost grabbed a goal on 71 minutes when he innovatively lobbed the advancing Dawson after substitute Mellanby's through-ball only to see the ball bounce just the wrong side of the right-hand upright but four minutes later the youngster got his name on the scoresheet with a breakaway strike.
After Anth Campbell's mesmerising dribble up to halfway, he released Wood who sprung the offside trap and coolly rounded Dawson before tucking home Aycliffe's fifth of what was becoming an increasingly colder and frostier night on South Tyneside.
Defender Peck got his third goal of the season when he swept Gardner's downward header into the roof of the net from little more than a yard out on 77 minutes as Aycliffe hit six for the first time this campaign.
Chase McMullen was introduced from the bench for his 50th club appearance but found the referee wanting his name for a differing reason as he was booked late on for a mistimed lunge whilst there was still time for Pocklington to save well from Hopper's header and Dan Mitton to fire just wide at the other end as the game closed out.
Star Man - Elliot GARDNER
Owen scored one and made one on a night when he gave Stuart Anderson a 90-minute headache while Wood showed some expert touches and scored a fine goal. However, for the second game running, last year's top scorer Gardner excelled in an unfamiliar midfield role capped with a splendid goal as he eases boss Oliver's selection woes in the middle of the park - though he may just be creating a dilemma with Knox waiting in the wings to come back in.
Wednesday's other results.
Crook Town 2-8 Marske United
Darlington RA 3-0 Seaham Red Star
Guisborough 1-4 Hebburn
Washington 0-1 Whickham