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Sat 30 Oct 2010
Newton Aycliffe FCTeam Northumbria
W Byrne (0'), C Mickle (0')
2
1
Newton Aycliffe FC v Team Northumbria
Stephen Cunliffe30 Oct 2010 - 15:00
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Match report
By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe's record run continued with their ninth consecutive unbeaten game, although by manager Allan Oliver's own admission, they were second best for the whole afternoon.
"It was a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show'" said Oliver in reference to last week's drubbing of local rivals Darlington RA, "but we dragged out a performance which keeps us top."
Team Northumbria came to Moore Lane Park and set their stall out in the opening quarter of the game, passing the ball with ease and getting strike-pair Dan Riley and Nathanial Price strikes on goal. Graeme Cairns sent former Newcastle United junior Riley clear after seven minutes but Scott Pocklington was equal to the strike, saving well with his legs.
Price's effort three minutes later was one of less conviction, the ball arrowing wide of Pocklington's right-hand upright from the edge of the box at the Town-End of the ground.
After 16 minutes, Pocklington's post was rattled as Jack Palmer came close to breaking the deadlock, as Aycliffe struggled to get any foothold on the game.
It took the Newtonians 31 minutes to register their first attempt on target, returning top-scorer Warren Byrne forcing Neil Postlethwaite into a one-handed save following a sharp half-volley at the opposite end.
Price almost opened the scoring on 42 minutes, but his shot following a goalmouth scramble could only find Brian Fairhurst who was well positioned on the goal-line to clear.
Against the run of play, Oliver's side took the lead as half-time loomed. Substitute Stuart Owen - on for the injured Fred Woodhouse - sent in a deep cross from the left and Byrne was on hand to turn the ball home at the back post, with a sliding volley.
Byrne almost got his second just after the break, but his curling free-kick was wonderfully tipped clear by Postlethwaite, stretching to his right.
Aycliffe did double their advantage after 56 minutes when Craig Mickle scored his second goal in as many games, turning the ball home from Sean Davies' knockdown following Paul Broom's left-wing corner.
Team Northumbria reduced the arrears with 12 minutes remaining, Riley expertly bending the ball round Pocklington from just inside the Gretna-End penalty area and Aycliffe almost hit the self-destruct button when the same man was left unmarked at the back-post just two minutes later. Pocklington this time came out on top as he blocked well with his thigh.
Star Man - Scott POCKLINGTON
The giant 'keeper has been instrumental in the record run and he saved his side on more than one occasion with Dan Riley bearing on goal. Stuart Owen was another who impressed during the game while Mark Tinkler was his usual steady self in the middle of the park.
Newton Aycliffe's record run continued with their ninth consecutive unbeaten game, although by manager Allan Oliver's own admission, they were second best for the whole afternoon.
"It was a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show'" said Oliver in reference to last week's drubbing of local rivals Darlington RA, "but we dragged out a performance which keeps us top."
Team Northumbria came to Moore Lane Park and set their stall out in the opening quarter of the game, passing the ball with ease and getting strike-pair Dan Riley and Nathanial Price strikes on goal. Graeme Cairns sent former Newcastle United junior Riley clear after seven minutes but Scott Pocklington was equal to the strike, saving well with his legs.
Price's effort three minutes later was one of less conviction, the ball arrowing wide of Pocklington's right-hand upright from the edge of the box at the Town-End of the ground.
After 16 minutes, Pocklington's post was rattled as Jack Palmer came close to breaking the deadlock, as Aycliffe struggled to get any foothold on the game.
It took the Newtonians 31 minutes to register their first attempt on target, returning top-scorer Warren Byrne forcing Neil Postlethwaite into a one-handed save following a sharp half-volley at the opposite end.
Price almost opened the scoring on 42 minutes, but his shot following a goalmouth scramble could only find Brian Fairhurst who was well positioned on the goal-line to clear.
Against the run of play, Oliver's side took the lead as half-time loomed. Substitute Stuart Owen - on for the injured Fred Woodhouse - sent in a deep cross from the left and Byrne was on hand to turn the ball home at the back post, with a sliding volley.
Byrne almost got his second just after the break, but his curling free-kick was wonderfully tipped clear by Postlethwaite, stretching to his right.
Aycliffe did double their advantage after 56 minutes when Craig Mickle scored his second goal in as many games, turning the ball home from Sean Davies' knockdown following Paul Broom's left-wing corner.
Team Northumbria reduced the arrears with 12 minutes remaining, Riley expertly bending the ball round Pocklington from just inside the Gretna-End penalty area and Aycliffe almost hit the self-destruct button when the same man was left unmarked at the back-post just two minutes later. Pocklington this time came out on top as he blocked well with his thigh.
Star Man - Scott POCKLINGTON
The giant 'keeper has been instrumental in the record run and he saved his side on more than one occasion with Dan Riley bearing on goal. Stuart Owen was another who impressed during the game while Mark Tinkler was his usual steady self in the middle of the park.
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