Newton Aycliffe FC v Hebburn Town

By Paul McGeary
Allan Oliver could be forgiven for hoping the Northern League powers-that-be introduce a September-break after his side won just once in a forgettable month.
Following this turgid 1-1 draw - their third winless game running - boss Oliver looked back on the woes which seem to curse Aycliffe in the first of the Autumn months.
Last season, the club gained just one league point from their four outings in September and although they bettered that tally by four this term, just one win - against the bottom side Morpeth - will be cause for concern amongst the Aycliffe hierarchy.
Oliver can bemoan injuries to key players, and suspensions, but the truth is, Aycliffe have regressed since the heights experienced in their superb August opening and despite still sitting second in the table, they now trail Guisborough by four points, having played two games more. Worse still, the chasing pack are eyeing up the Newtonians and just three points seperate them from Washington in eighth spot.
Missing top-scorer Warren Byrne, Aycliffe included recent signing Craig Mickle up front and welcomed back Sean Tarling and Scott Pocklington from suspension. Defender Mark Peck also returned, and impressed again, despite playing with a broken hand.
Paul Broom, restored to the starting line-up, had the first show on goal after just three minutes, firing a shot just wide from the edge of the area when sent through by Mickle.
The home side gained a penalty after 23 minutes when Elliot Gardner was flattened on the line waiting to pounce on the loose ball, after 'keeper Andrew Hunter had superbly parried Fred Woodhouse's effort. Experienced campaigner Brian Fairhurst took on the duties vacated by Byrne's absence, but the former West Auckland man's weak penalty was saved by Hunter, diving to his left.
Just seven minutes later and Oliver's men were left to rue their opportunity when Garry McCartney slotted the visitors ahead. Lifting the ball coolly over Sean Davies' head in the area, Hebburn's top scorer calmly placed the dropping ball between Pocklington's legs from 10-yards for his fifth of the season.
Gardner and Woodhouse fashioned half chances for Aycliffe in the run-up to half-time, but Hunter stood firm and saw both efforts out for corners as the smaller-than-usual crowd began to grow frustrated.
The second-half was much better from the boys in blue, as Mickle and Gardner - limping after two heavy bangs on his trouble ankle - began to get a hold of the ball up front and get the defenders back-peddling, something they never did in the opening period.
Gardner got the equaliser on the hour mark, turning home Broom's centre after the former Coxhoe winger had beaten Hunter to Tarling's slide-rule pass. Last season's top scorer didn't need a textbook on how to finish, as he was left unmarked just four yards out at the 'town-end' of the ground.
Aycliffe grew in confidence and bossed the last half hour, with Mickle and Gardner again going close, both efforts well blocked for corners once more.
Mickle almost capped a dream debut by slotting home in the dying minutes, but his left-foot effort was well beaten away by a strong Hunter wrist.
So Aycliffe's five-point tally from September was just enough to keep a grip on second spot, but October must bear more fruits - and most probably without Byrne who has a suspension lurking - if Guisborough are to be caught at the summit of the table.
Star Man - Criag Mickle. With Tarling and Peck impressing on their return, Aycliffe looked harder to break down, but Mickle shades it over strike partner Gardner as his touch and choice of pass never let him down on an afternoon where he almost scored a last-gasp winner for his new club.