Newton Aycliffe FC v Ashington

By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games with an entertaining, if hard-earned draw with in-form Ashington.
The Colliers – who despatched Champions Spennymoor 4-1 just days earlier – took the lead at Moore Lane Park, breaking ‘keeper Scott Pocklington’s run of four clean sheets, only for Dan Mellanby to claw the hosts level before half time.
The second half ebbed and flowed as both sides chased victory, but both Pocklington and opposing number one Karl Dryden kept their respective opponents at bay.
Aycliffe lined up with three centre-halves, a change forced by injuries and absentees from the side which crushed Billingham Town seven days previous.
Stephen Gibson was shifted to centre-half while Stuart Owen replaced Josh Gray, playing in an alien left-wing-back berth.
Sean Tarling missed out through work commitments, so Ben Wood reverted to midfield, with Mellanby and Dale Jardine coming in to the front line.
Ashington included 18-year-old Newcastle Academy hopeful Dan Taylor, who five days earlier played for the Toon’s reserves against Manchester United.
Former Sunderland legend Colin Todd was keeping a close eye on the young Magpie throughout his maiden venture to Moore Lane Park.
Gary Middleton’s Vase hopefuls started the brighter, and in the 10th minute Marc Walton and Andrew Johnson linked up well before finding Taylor in the area, with the forward shooting wide after swivelling free from John Close.
Seven minutes later and the visitors stole ahead. Walton freed Marc O’Dea into the area but his weak effort was heading straight for Pocklington’s grasp until an untimely intervention from Darren Craddock steered the ball upwards in into the vacant opposite corner.
It was the first goal Pocklington had conceded since Boxing Day in the league, a run of six hours and 29 minutes, a new club record.
It remains to be seen whether video evidence presented to the Northern League’s Dubious Goals Panel will award the goal to O’Dea or see it as a Craddock faux pas.
O’Dea should have double his side’s advantage three minutes later when he was found unmarked by Johnson at the back post, only to direct his header straight back to where it came from, harmlessly running across the face of goal and behind.
Aycliffe started to come out of their shell and got level in the 37th minute. Jardine flicked on Paul Broom’s ball and Mellanby beat Dryden to the loose ball before circling the custodian and stroking home left-footed in expert fashion.
Nathan Wilson drove over from 25 yards minutes after while Broom shot across the face of goal as the interval loomed, with Allan Oliver’s side in total control.
The second half saw both sides come out to win the game. Pocklington blocked well from Walton amid a goalmouth melee while he produced a superb double save from Taylor midway through the half to frustrate the teenage Geordie.
Broom laced over when well positioned on 74 minutes while a couple of close offside calls prevented Mellanby and Jardine the opportunity of a one-on-one with Dryden.
Colliers almost won the game with the last kick as Johnson’s speculative left-foot lob hit the top of Pocklington’s crossbar but as the referee drew proceedings to a close, neither side grumbled at the shared points, to go with the fierce 2-2 draw at Woodhorn Lane in August.
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