By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe returned to the top of the skilltrainingltd Northern League second division - but only for three hours, as Guisborough's 2-1 victory at Darlington RA later in the day propelled the Priorymen back above the Newtonians by virtue of one extra notch in the 'goals-scored' column.
Missing a host of players through a mixture of injury, suspension and holiday commitments, Allan Oliver was forced to draft in Under-18's skipper and nephew, James, whilst recent graduate Nick Petch sat alongside Oliver junior on the bench. New signing Mark Peck was also given a full debut, having signed just yesterday from Alliance side Whitehill FC.
The Black & Ambers came to Moore Lane Park undefeated in league outings, and bore very little resemblance from the side humbled 10-2 in the same fixture just four months ago. Of the shattered line-up that day, only John Jury remained whilst Newtonian Chris Wilson was named amongst the substitutes.
Crook started the brighter on a deceptively hot bank holiday, with wingers Stephen Barker and Martin O'Riordan getting at the Aycliffe wing-backs and supplying plenty of crosses for the huge Kevin Devine and top scorer Andy Appleby. It was from a Barker cross that O'Riordan himself almost benefitted, with the ex-RCA man meeting the right-wing centre with an outstanding back-post volley which Scott Pocklington did superbly to stop with his legs.
Oliver's men slowly came into the game, with Dan Robinson controlling the midfield exchanges, keeping Jury surprisingly quiet. The Aycliffe number seven ripped a shot at Ian Myers from fully 25-yards whilst Anth Campbell - making his first appearance of the season - had a tame right-foot effort smothered by the former Brandon net-minder midway through the half. Warren Byrne had two half-chances to add to his season goal tally of three, but saw one effort blocked by Myers and another sail harmlessly wide.
Into the second half and Aycliffe took a deserved lead. Byrne out-muscled John Bowes on the left wing and headed goalwards. In drawing Myers from his line, the ex-Shildon hit-man turned provider and accurately squared a ball into Dan Mellanby's path for the 30-year-old striker to side-foot home his second goal of the season.
Byrne almost got on the scoresheet on 68 minutes, but having been sent through by Sean Tarling, Aycliffe's top scorer couldn't beat Myers from an acute angle, with the 'keeper palming Byrne's 15-yard effort wide for a corner.
The 300+ crowd could be forgiven for thinking another late fight back was on the cards as both Jury and Appleby went close at the Gretna End of the ground but Byrne calmed all nerves five minutes from time with a wonder strike. Receiving the ball from a left-wing throw-in, Aycliffe's number 10 expertly chested the ball upwards and sent a volleyed lob over a stranded Myers from fully 35-yards.
Star Man
Warren Byrne
In spite of impressive showings by Peck, Campbell and Robinson, Aycliffe's top scorer was a constant threat all day and capped his performance with a true wonder-strike. It's now four goals in six games for the man who finished as Shildon's top scorer in each of the past two seasons.

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