By Paul McGeary
A record crowd marked another historic occasion in Aycliffe's embryonic existence as 1,307 descended upon Moore Lane Park to witness Allan Oliver's side lose by the odd goal in three against a Darlington side which included regular first teamers Tommy Wright, Chris Senior, Josh Gray, Curtis Main, Corey Barnes and Chris Moore.
Dan Burn and Phil Gray were two other youngsters on show who featured for the Quakers last year so Oliver's Army can hold their heads high - as can all associated with the club - this evening,
With the Northern League season just four days away, Oliver used 22 players as he juggles his numbers and with Warren Byrne coming through 62 minutes and Paul Stout 84, Oliver has a little less to worry about ahead of Saturday's trip north of the Tyne Tunnel to face North Shields.
Despite an indifferent pre-season, the signs have been there more recently that Aycliffe are building up their head of steam and with Elliot Gardner netting his sixth goal in seven games - a remarkable strike from fully 30-yards - the onwatching Anth Woodhouse and Graham Fenton will have gone back through the tunnel with something to keep them awake a little longer this evening.
Ex-Quaker Scott Pocklington enjoyed a fine 45 minutes in the hosts' goal against his former employers, saving excellently from Wright on a handful of occasions, Main twice, Senior and Moore - the pick of the saves, getting a strong wrist to parry a right-footed effort when the former Whitley Bay man was through one-on-one.
Youth teamers Nick Petch and Mark Shepherd were again given run-outs as were 'experienced' pair James Oliver and Josh Knox, whilst Dan Mellanby looked increasingly sharp - again, against former employers. Chase McMullen and Fred Woodhouse posed threats when introduced in the second half whilst Shaun Davies was officially announced a Newtonian's player after the game, adding to Oliver's defensive options.
Quakers won the game with two late goals. Main went through one-on-one with Stevie Richardson on 75 minutes, expertly lifting the ball over Aycliffe's substitute 'keeper whilst sub Paul Grainger volleyed a superb winner with the game's very last kick.
But as Oliver said in his programme notes - if you were lucky enough to read them as the publication sold out in record time - no points go on the board during pre-season.
Positives, on and off the field for Aycliffe as pre-season drew to a close and now the real business starts. With FA Vase football already penned in as another historic landmark, who is to argue that there won't be one or two more celebratory moments throughout the season.
Record attendance might just take some topping though!

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