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Sat 19 Feb 2011
Whitehaven
Newton Aycliffe FC
2
4
W Byrne (0'), (0'), (0'), D Mellanby (0')
Newton Aycliffe FC v Whitehaven
Stephen Cunliffe19 Feb 2011 - 17:00
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Match report
By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe produced a first-class comeback to see off Whitehaven after falling two goals behind to the west coast outfit inside 12 minutes.
Warren Byrne scored a hat-trick for the second consecutive league game whilst Dan Mellanby added his eighth of the season after coming off bench with 25 minutes to go to inspire the fight back.
Missing Elliot Gardner, Ben Wood and Dan Mitton through injury, Allan Oliver recalled Chris Beckett to the back line, though the versatile defender was still suffering the effects of flu that ruled him out of the Crook game just days previous.
Paul Broom replaced Chase McMullen on the wing in the only other change from the midweek cup victory as Craig Mickle and Josh Knox kept their places in the starting eleven after recent injury woes.
The visitors got off to a sluggish start and fell behind after just 98-seconds, with Stuart Shaw curling a 25-yard effort high past Scott Pocklington after Aycliffe only half cleared a left-wing corner.
Worse followed 10 minutes later when a raiding attack down the right-hand side saw Shaw cross expertly into the path of skipper Malcolm Holliday who stroked past Pocklington from five-yards without breaking stride.
Oliver’s side had been two-goals down the week previous at home to lowly Horden but the Cumbrians – unbeaten since November – were a different entity and tension grew amongst the strong contingent of travelling support.
Byrne halved the deficit after 22 minutes when he superbly held off two challenges in the area before firing past the despairing dive of Brian Miller.
The league leaders should have been level at the interval but skipper Sean Tarling shaved the upright with an effort from the edge of the area while Broom fired high when well positioned at the back post. Byrne saw his right foot effort well saved by Miller at the near post as the whistle drew closer to offer the hosts some respite from the relentless Aycliffe attack.
The second half started as the first had ended with Oliver’s outfit camped in their opponents’ territory. Tarling twice tested Miller but found the stopper equal to his efforts while Byrne fired over when sent through by his captain on the hour mark.
The introduction of a triple change from Oliver on 65 minutes proved pivotal in the visitors’ comeback as Mellanby relished in his role of impact substitute, torturing the Amateurs’ defence with his customary strength and guile.
The former Darlington man levelled with 10 minutes remaining when Byrne picked him out in the area after beating his man and pulling back from the by-line. Mellanby’s first effort was smothered by the flailing leg of Leigh Dunn but the 31-year-old prodded home at the second attempt to draw the scores level.
Aycliffe survived an 85th minute attack from their hosts as top scorer Kevin Connelly screwed wide from five yards when Craig Robson sent a square ball into the corridor of doubt from the left wing.
Byrne fired his side ahead in the 87th minute when Tarling won a penalty after being sent sprawling by Miller in the box. The former Shildon man, who has missed twice from the spot in recent games made no mistake as he lashed his effort straight down the centre of the goal with Miller opting for his right.
Oliver’s side saved the best for last as they scored an extraordinary fourth in injury time. Anth Campbell fed Mellanby on the edge of the area with the ex-Quaker expertly beating two men, leaving them for dead on the ground as he weaved through their challenges. Drawing Miller he cutely squared to Byrne who in turn beat a last-ditch challenge before slotting into the empty net from six yards for his 31st goal of the season.
News filtered through that title rivals North Shields had drawn away to Birtley Town while Guisborough’s trip to the region was cancelled due to Gillford Park’s waterlogged pitch meaning the visitors had opened up an 11-point gap at the summit of the table, with just 10 games remaining.
It’ll take a collapse of almighty proportion to stop Oliver’s men gaining promotion but his side only have one thing in their minds after this show of solidarity – the division two title, which creeps closer by the week.
Star Man – Warren BYRNE
Josh Knox enjoyed a fine afternoon in the middle of the park while Craig Mickle produced his best display in an Aycliffe shirt supporting Byrne up front before Mellanby’s introduction. The 31-year-old striker was at his best during his 25-minute cameo but Byrne takes the plaudits for another three goals – taking his haul for the week to eight and 31 for the campaign.
Newton Aycliffe produced a first-class comeback to see off Whitehaven after falling two goals behind to the west coast outfit inside 12 minutes.
Warren Byrne scored a hat-trick for the second consecutive league game whilst Dan Mellanby added his eighth of the season after coming off bench with 25 minutes to go to inspire the fight back.
Missing Elliot Gardner, Ben Wood and Dan Mitton through injury, Allan Oliver recalled Chris Beckett to the back line, though the versatile defender was still suffering the effects of flu that ruled him out of the Crook game just days previous.
Paul Broom replaced Chase McMullen on the wing in the only other change from the midweek cup victory as Craig Mickle and Josh Knox kept their places in the starting eleven after recent injury woes.
The visitors got off to a sluggish start and fell behind after just 98-seconds, with Stuart Shaw curling a 25-yard effort high past Scott Pocklington after Aycliffe only half cleared a left-wing corner.
Worse followed 10 minutes later when a raiding attack down the right-hand side saw Shaw cross expertly into the path of skipper Malcolm Holliday who stroked past Pocklington from five-yards without breaking stride.
Oliver’s side had been two-goals down the week previous at home to lowly Horden but the Cumbrians – unbeaten since November – were a different entity and tension grew amongst the strong contingent of travelling support.
Byrne halved the deficit after 22 minutes when he superbly held off two challenges in the area before firing past the despairing dive of Brian Miller.
The league leaders should have been level at the interval but skipper Sean Tarling shaved the upright with an effort from the edge of the area while Broom fired high when well positioned at the back post. Byrne saw his right foot effort well saved by Miller at the near post as the whistle drew closer to offer the hosts some respite from the relentless Aycliffe attack.
The second half started as the first had ended with Oliver’s outfit camped in their opponents’ territory. Tarling twice tested Miller but found the stopper equal to his efforts while Byrne fired over when sent through by his captain on the hour mark.
The introduction of a triple change from Oliver on 65 minutes proved pivotal in the visitors’ comeback as Mellanby relished in his role of impact substitute, torturing the Amateurs’ defence with his customary strength and guile.
The former Darlington man levelled with 10 minutes remaining when Byrne picked him out in the area after beating his man and pulling back from the by-line. Mellanby’s first effort was smothered by the flailing leg of Leigh Dunn but the 31-year-old prodded home at the second attempt to draw the scores level.
Aycliffe survived an 85th minute attack from their hosts as top scorer Kevin Connelly screwed wide from five yards when Craig Robson sent a square ball into the corridor of doubt from the left wing.
Byrne fired his side ahead in the 87th minute when Tarling won a penalty after being sent sprawling by Miller in the box. The former Shildon man, who has missed twice from the spot in recent games made no mistake as he lashed his effort straight down the centre of the goal with Miller opting for his right.
Oliver’s side saved the best for last as they scored an extraordinary fourth in injury time. Anth Campbell fed Mellanby on the edge of the area with the ex-Quaker expertly beating two men, leaving them for dead on the ground as he weaved through their challenges. Drawing Miller he cutely squared to Byrne who in turn beat a last-ditch challenge before slotting into the empty net from six yards for his 31st goal of the season.
News filtered through that title rivals North Shields had drawn away to Birtley Town while Guisborough’s trip to the region was cancelled due to Gillford Park’s waterlogged pitch meaning the visitors had opened up an 11-point gap at the summit of the table, with just 10 games remaining.
It’ll take a collapse of almighty proportion to stop Oliver’s men gaining promotion but his side only have one thing in their minds after this show of solidarity – the division two title, which creeps closer by the week.
Star Man – Warren BYRNE
Josh Knox enjoyed a fine afternoon in the middle of the park while Craig Mickle produced his best display in an Aycliffe shirt supporting Byrne up front before Mellanby’s introduction. The 31-year-old striker was at his best during his 25-minute cameo but Byrne takes the plaudits for another three goals – taking his haul for the week to eight and 31 for the campaign.
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