Newton Aycliffe FC v Shildon

By Paul McGeary
Whilst it may be over-critical to condemn Newton Aycliffe for another heavy defeat, one mustn't forget that Shildon finished as runners-up in the top flight last season and reached the last-eight of the FA Vase, where they crashed to eventual winners Whitley Bay.
They are also heavily tipped to run Champions Spennymoor even closer this term and boast some fine players - Andrew Johnson, Sam Garvie, Daniel Moore, Chris Hughes and Jamie Harwood spring to immediate mind.
Danny Richmond marshalled the midfield excellently on a brisk evening at Dean Street whilst man of the match was surely centre half Gary Brown, who looked assured and conducted everything at the back, and all at his own pace.
Johnson himself wasn't too bad up top, scoring the first two goals, the second of which was an excellent free kick from nearly 30-yards which had Stevie Richardson beaten all-ends-up.
Garvie tapped home a third before half time and substiutes Steven Johnson and ex-Aycliffe triallist Dan Hawkins completed the rout.
Aycliffe had some positives from the evening, Jonathan Pennock played very well against Sonny Andrews in an unfamiliar left back role whilst 18-year old Josh Knox never looked out of place against classier opposition.
Elliot Gardner ploughed a lone furrow up front as Dan Mellanby and former Railwayman Warren Byrne still sit out injured, and for all his huffing and puffing, last season's top-scorer never received any service with which to punish the home side.
Aycliffe's best chance came at 0-4, Anth Campbell taking too many touches when fed through by Sean Tarling allowing the out-rushing goalkeeper time to narrow the angle and smother the shot.