Back
Sat 16 Oct 2010
Newton Aycliffe FCNorthallerton Town
J Knox (0'), W Byrne (0'), F Woodhouse (0')
3
2
Newton Aycliffe FC v Northallerton Town
Stephen Cunliffe16 Oct 2010 - 15:00
Share via
Match report
By Richard Ingman
A hard fought victory saw Newton Aycliffe return to the top of the league at Moore Lane Park. The news of Guisborough’s failure to win meant Allan Oliver’s side took over top spot by a single point, although the North Yorkshire side have played two games less.
The mood around the ground was an expectant one, with visitors Northallerton occupying a lowly league position, and Aycliffe unbeaten in their last five games. One major factor in that run has been Mark Peck and Chris Beckett forming a solid understanding at the back, and it was clear that would be needed as the sides lined up, ‘Allerton looking in particular a very physical outfit.
The early exchanges saw the sides fairly evenly matched, with no clear openings as space was sought in midfield. 11-goal striker Warren Byrne and Fred Woodhouse were looking sharp for the home side, but clear chances were at a premium.
The best opening fell to the visitors on 27 minutes, as Neil Tarrant capitalized on a rare slip by Peck. The striker found himself one-on-one with debutant `keeper Darren Abelwhite, and many in the crowd feared the worst. However the stopper’s decision-making proved sound as he rushed out and ended the attack, diving quickly onto the ball.
This appeared to give Northallerton confidence with Martin Butterworth in particular becoming more and more influential, always being available and orchestrating from the midfield.
The first goal of the game came in the 35th minute, with a well worked move seeing the home side go ahead. Paul Broom found space on the right wing, and was able to put in a low pass right across the face of goal. The ball eluded almost everyone, except Fred Woodhouse who slotted home calmly from no more than six yards out at the back post.
This seemed to sting the visitors, and a rocket shot from Stuart Hardy beat the home ‘keeper for pace only to rebound back out from the joint of post and crossbar. Thoughts were turning to half time when Aycliffe doubled their lead, with a goal in first half injury time. Paul Broom again provided the cross, and the ball ran loose to Byrne who looked up and slotted his strike low past visiting keeper Steve Craggs from 20-yards out.
As well as the match referee, Andy Ramsbottom also failed to appear for the visitors after the break, and was replaced by Darren Mowbray, brother of former West Brom and Celtic boss, Tony. It was the substitute who brought his side back into the game when he made it 2-1 in the 57th minute. Stuart Hardy was allowed to get a cross in with little resistance from the Aycliffe left, and Mowbray was on hand to head the ball into the net at the Gretna End.
The home side showed greater mental strength than in the past, and pressed to regain a two goal advantage rather than losing momentum. Mark Tinkler was prominent in midfield and began to find his range with his passes, and the strike that saw Aycliffe extend their lead came just eight minutes later. The impressive Josh Knox – restored to the starting line-up in the absence of Brian Fairhurst - drilled the ball home left-footed from 12-yards out. The crowd were appealing for a foul on Byrne as the ball popped up to the youngster who calmly scored to the ‘keepers left.
The visitors lowly league position would suggest it was game over, but when they scored their second on 70 minutes the 251 in attendance knew nothing was settled. A pinpoint corner from Peter Bulmer was whipped in allowing Hardy to nod home unchallenged from point blank range.
There followed a flurry of substitutes from both sides with the most notable being the return of Danny Mellanby. The ex-Darlington striker made an instant impact on his return from injury, showing why he is so valuable with his link up play and ball retention. The home side began to dominate, with both Byrne and Elliot Gardner striking the frame of the goal. The groundsman will be checking the cross bar after Gardner’s effort - a powerful volley from the penalty spot which smashed into the underside of the bar before bouncing clear.
The final whistle brought another three points, and stretched the unbeaten run to six games. Aycliffe back on the top of the division but more significantly, might be the eight-point cushion on fourth spot, as the front-runners begin to define themselves after the early-season pitchings.
Star Man - Chris BECKETT
Defender has settled in to the club very quickly, and his experience at the back has proved vital in recent games.
A hard fought victory saw Newton Aycliffe return to the top of the league at Moore Lane Park. The news of Guisborough’s failure to win meant Allan Oliver’s side took over top spot by a single point, although the North Yorkshire side have played two games less.
The mood around the ground was an expectant one, with visitors Northallerton occupying a lowly league position, and Aycliffe unbeaten in their last five games. One major factor in that run has been Mark Peck and Chris Beckett forming a solid understanding at the back, and it was clear that would be needed as the sides lined up, ‘Allerton looking in particular a very physical outfit.
The early exchanges saw the sides fairly evenly matched, with no clear openings as space was sought in midfield. 11-goal striker Warren Byrne and Fred Woodhouse were looking sharp for the home side, but clear chances were at a premium.
The best opening fell to the visitors on 27 minutes, as Neil Tarrant capitalized on a rare slip by Peck. The striker found himself one-on-one with debutant `keeper Darren Abelwhite, and many in the crowd feared the worst. However the stopper’s decision-making proved sound as he rushed out and ended the attack, diving quickly onto the ball.
This appeared to give Northallerton confidence with Martin Butterworth in particular becoming more and more influential, always being available and orchestrating from the midfield.
The first goal of the game came in the 35th minute, with a well worked move seeing the home side go ahead. Paul Broom found space on the right wing, and was able to put in a low pass right across the face of goal. The ball eluded almost everyone, except Fred Woodhouse who slotted home calmly from no more than six yards out at the back post.
This seemed to sting the visitors, and a rocket shot from Stuart Hardy beat the home ‘keeper for pace only to rebound back out from the joint of post and crossbar. Thoughts were turning to half time when Aycliffe doubled their lead, with a goal in first half injury time. Paul Broom again provided the cross, and the ball ran loose to Byrne who looked up and slotted his strike low past visiting keeper Steve Craggs from 20-yards out.
As well as the match referee, Andy Ramsbottom also failed to appear for the visitors after the break, and was replaced by Darren Mowbray, brother of former West Brom and Celtic boss, Tony. It was the substitute who brought his side back into the game when he made it 2-1 in the 57th minute. Stuart Hardy was allowed to get a cross in with little resistance from the Aycliffe left, and Mowbray was on hand to head the ball into the net at the Gretna End.
The home side showed greater mental strength than in the past, and pressed to regain a two goal advantage rather than losing momentum. Mark Tinkler was prominent in midfield and began to find his range with his passes, and the strike that saw Aycliffe extend their lead came just eight minutes later. The impressive Josh Knox – restored to the starting line-up in the absence of Brian Fairhurst - drilled the ball home left-footed from 12-yards out. The crowd were appealing for a foul on Byrne as the ball popped up to the youngster who calmly scored to the ‘keepers left.
The visitors lowly league position would suggest it was game over, but when they scored their second on 70 minutes the 251 in attendance knew nothing was settled. A pinpoint corner from Peter Bulmer was whipped in allowing Hardy to nod home unchallenged from point blank range.
There followed a flurry of substitutes from both sides with the most notable being the return of Danny Mellanby. The ex-Darlington striker made an instant impact on his return from injury, showing why he is so valuable with his link up play and ball retention. The home side began to dominate, with both Byrne and Elliot Gardner striking the frame of the goal. The groundsman will be checking the cross bar after Gardner’s effort - a powerful volley from the penalty spot which smashed into the underside of the bar before bouncing clear.
The final whistle brought another three points, and stretched the unbeaten run to six games. Aycliffe back on the top of the division but more significantly, might be the eight-point cushion on fourth spot, as the front-runners begin to define themselves after the early-season pitchings.
Star Man - Chris BECKETT
Defender has settled in to the club very quickly, and his experience at the back has proved vital in recent games.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
