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Sat 22 Jan 2011
Newton Aycliffe FCMarske United
E Gardner (0'), S Owen (0')
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Newton Aycliffe FC v Marske United
Stephen Cunliffe22 Jan 2011 - 17:00
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Match report
By Paul McGeary
Aycliffe boss Allan Oliver shuffled his deck after the midweek trek to Cumbria and he got the desired result against promotion rivals Marske United on a heavy Moore Lane Park surface.
In what was a classic example of the proverbial 'game of two halves', Oliver's league leaders snatched victory in the closing stages of a game they should have had sewn up by the interval.
John Close moved out to full-back to accomodate the return of Mark Peck in the back-four, with Dan Mitton relegated to the bench. Ben Wood dropped back to an attacking right role at the expense of Paul Broom, with Dan Mellanby restored to the starting line-up after two games as an impact substitute.
The Seasiders gave a debut to former Norton 'keeper Jon McDonald, who had previously played in the only side to win at Moore Lane this season, whilst he was on loan with Guisborough Town.
McDonald must have thought he was in the Alamo during the opening 45 minutes, as time and time again he thwarted goalscoring chances from Aycliffe's front six. Warren Byrne was first to test the debutant when he slid in on the end of Elliot Gardner's 25-yard effort but found McDonald equal to his six-yard effort.
Anth Campbell cut in from the left three minutes later and fired just wide of the 'keeper's left-hand upright and the same man forced McDonald into a stunning tip-over after 27 minutes with a sweetly struck free-kick from the edge of the area.
Aycliffe were again foiled by McDonald on 36 minutes, as the custodian was alert to the dangers that Byrne poses, smothering well at the feet of the former Shildon man just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Three minutes later though and Aycliffe finally made the breakthrough. Byrne held the ball up well on the edge of the area, inviting support, which came in the form of Stuart Owen advancing into the left-hand channel. With Byrne feeding into the left-winger's feet, Owen simply checked his feet before firing across McDonald into the opposite corner for his second goal in three outings.
The home side seemed to stay in the dressing room at half-time as Marske came out in the second half and asked all the questions. Close, Peck and Chris Beckett - who was outstanding - were called upon time-and-time again to defend Scott Pocklington's goal as Benn Thompson and Danny Brunskill began to make their physical advantage count.
Karl Charlton was coming into the game more and when the former Guisborough man breached Aycliffe's back-line just before the hour, a stray foot dragged the youngster down and referee Chris Keightley had no option but to point to the spot.
Thompson stepped up and duly despatched the spot-kick, with Pocklington guessing the wrong way. Thompson was also the visitors' goal scorer when the sides met last season in the corresponding fixture which finished 1-1.
There was no danger of this one finishing in the same score-line as Marske pressed and pressed for the winner with Aycliffe relying on hitting their opponents on the break. Byrne had a 20-yard effort superbly blocked by Mark Taylor with McDonald equal once more to Wood's thunderous rebound.
With 11 minutes remaining, Marske almost took the lead when Charlton beat Pocklington to a through ball, poking the ball between the giant 'keeper's legs. Close was on hand to sweep off the line and preserve parity for now.
Two minutes later and skipper Sean Tarling appeared to have taken Brunskill down inside the area but Keightley this time pointed for a free-kick, determining the challenge to have been made just outside the Gretna-End area. This decision incensed the visitors who took a different dynamic into the last ten minutes allowing Aycliffe certain respite from the pressure.
The introduction of Paul Broom from the bench for the closing stages was to prove the master stroke from boss Oliver as the tricky winger gave a fresh impotus to a seemingly beleagured home side. With seven minutes remaining, the former Coxhoe man beat two men down the right flank before executing a teasing cross into the middle.
Buoyed by his display, and why not, McDonald confidently came marauding off his line in an effort to claim the ball but he hadn't banked on the determination of Gardner who had advanced to the penalty spot to loop a header over the stranded 'keeper and into the gaping goal to seal the points for the home side.
Aycliffe's lead at the top remained at 11 points as rivals Guisborough and North Shields both won on their travels whilst Marske's hopes will have dented slightly as they look to go at least one place better than last year's fourth-placed finish.
Star Man - Chris BECKETT
Close and Peck may well have taken the spoils, as could Gardner for a fourth consecutive game but for the way he handled the physical Brunskill during a half of constant pressure, the returning Beckett looks like he's not been away, after making only his second appearance since mid-November.
Aycliffe boss Allan Oliver shuffled his deck after the midweek trek to Cumbria and he got the desired result against promotion rivals Marske United on a heavy Moore Lane Park surface.
In what was a classic example of the proverbial 'game of two halves', Oliver's league leaders snatched victory in the closing stages of a game they should have had sewn up by the interval.
John Close moved out to full-back to accomodate the return of Mark Peck in the back-four, with Dan Mitton relegated to the bench. Ben Wood dropped back to an attacking right role at the expense of Paul Broom, with Dan Mellanby restored to the starting line-up after two games as an impact substitute.
The Seasiders gave a debut to former Norton 'keeper Jon McDonald, who had previously played in the only side to win at Moore Lane this season, whilst he was on loan with Guisborough Town.
McDonald must have thought he was in the Alamo during the opening 45 minutes, as time and time again he thwarted goalscoring chances from Aycliffe's front six. Warren Byrne was first to test the debutant when he slid in on the end of Elliot Gardner's 25-yard effort but found McDonald equal to his six-yard effort.
Anth Campbell cut in from the left three minutes later and fired just wide of the 'keeper's left-hand upright and the same man forced McDonald into a stunning tip-over after 27 minutes with a sweetly struck free-kick from the edge of the area.
Aycliffe were again foiled by McDonald on 36 minutes, as the custodian was alert to the dangers that Byrne poses, smothering well at the feet of the former Shildon man just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Three minutes later though and Aycliffe finally made the breakthrough. Byrne held the ball up well on the edge of the area, inviting support, which came in the form of Stuart Owen advancing into the left-hand channel. With Byrne feeding into the left-winger's feet, Owen simply checked his feet before firing across McDonald into the opposite corner for his second goal in three outings.
The home side seemed to stay in the dressing room at half-time as Marske came out in the second half and asked all the questions. Close, Peck and Chris Beckett - who was outstanding - were called upon time-and-time again to defend Scott Pocklington's goal as Benn Thompson and Danny Brunskill began to make their physical advantage count.
Karl Charlton was coming into the game more and when the former Guisborough man breached Aycliffe's back-line just before the hour, a stray foot dragged the youngster down and referee Chris Keightley had no option but to point to the spot.
Thompson stepped up and duly despatched the spot-kick, with Pocklington guessing the wrong way. Thompson was also the visitors' goal scorer when the sides met last season in the corresponding fixture which finished 1-1.
There was no danger of this one finishing in the same score-line as Marske pressed and pressed for the winner with Aycliffe relying on hitting their opponents on the break. Byrne had a 20-yard effort superbly blocked by Mark Taylor with McDonald equal once more to Wood's thunderous rebound.
With 11 minutes remaining, Marske almost took the lead when Charlton beat Pocklington to a through ball, poking the ball between the giant 'keeper's legs. Close was on hand to sweep off the line and preserve parity for now.
Two minutes later and skipper Sean Tarling appeared to have taken Brunskill down inside the area but Keightley this time pointed for a free-kick, determining the challenge to have been made just outside the Gretna-End area. This decision incensed the visitors who took a different dynamic into the last ten minutes allowing Aycliffe certain respite from the pressure.
The introduction of Paul Broom from the bench for the closing stages was to prove the master stroke from boss Oliver as the tricky winger gave a fresh impotus to a seemingly beleagured home side. With seven minutes remaining, the former Coxhoe man beat two men down the right flank before executing a teasing cross into the middle.
Buoyed by his display, and why not, McDonald confidently came marauding off his line in an effort to claim the ball but he hadn't banked on the determination of Gardner who had advanced to the penalty spot to loop a header over the stranded 'keeper and into the gaping goal to seal the points for the home side.
Aycliffe's lead at the top remained at 11 points as rivals Guisborough and North Shields both won on their travels whilst Marske's hopes will have dented slightly as they look to go at least one place better than last year's fourth-placed finish.
Star Man - Chris BECKETT
Close and Peck may well have taken the spoils, as could Gardner for a fourth consecutive game but for the way he handled the physical Brunskill during a half of constant pressure, the returning Beckett looks like he's not been away, after making only his second appearance since mid-November.
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