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Sat 10 Mar 2012
Newton Aycliffe FCDunston UTS
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Newton Aycliffe FC v Dunston UTS
Stephen Cunliffe10 Mar 2012 - 17:00
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Match report
By Glen RobertsonNewton Aycliffe suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since December as Dunston left Moore Lane Park with a 1-0 victory.
Chris Swailes scored the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark as Aycliffe missed the chance to climb into the top five.
The game will unfortunately be remembered for an awful injury to Dunston’s Lee McAndrew in the first-half. The winger made heavy contact with one of the concrete fence posts that surround the pitch, leaving McAndrew missing a large chunk of his leg and an ambulance had to be called to the ground.
Aycliffe suffered a major blow before kick-off with news that John Close would miss the game with a knee injury, while striker Danny Mellanby was not fit enough to start and Ben Wood missed out through suspension.
Darren Craddock returned to the back three, while Dale Jardine and Warren Byrne started in attack. Fred Woodhouse was back in the squad after arriving back in the country following a six month spell in Australia and was named among the substitutes.
Aycliffe were looking to bounce back from a first defeat in 12 on Tuesday night, but FA Vase semi-finalists Dunston were in control from the start, denying the Newtonians any time or space on the ball.
The game was always a scrappy affair, but it was the visitors who were creating the chances, even though talismanic figure Andy Bulford limped off within the first couple of minutes.
The left-foot of Terry Galbraith was keeping Aycliffe goalkeeper Scott Pocklington busy with a barrage of crosses from corners and free-kicks in the opening exchanges.
In the 16th minute, Aycliffe’s keeper did well to punch clear one of these corners, but the ball went only as far as Ian Herron on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s fierce effort from 18 yards was well blocked by Josh Knox.
Ten minutes later McAndrew suffered his horrible injury, which provoked a lengthy delay while the winger was stretchered off to the changing rooms and an ambulance was called.
Soon after the game got back underway, Craddock was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Goddard on the left-hand touchline, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Galbraith whipped in a dangerous cross and Swailes was unmarked as he headed past Pocklington from six yards out.
Aycliffe battled away, but took until the 70th minute to have a serious effort at goal. Nathan Wilson finally found some room and put in a superb cross for Byrne, whose spectacular volley was brilliantly held by Liam Connell in the Dunston goal.
Wodhouse and Mellanby were introduced from the bench as Aycliffe searched for an equaliser but, while they saw more of the ball, still couldn’t create a clear cut chance.
Stuart Owen blazed a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the area, while Jardine had half a sight of goal late on, but the visitors successfully saw out the game.
Aycliffe will aim to bounce back next weekend as they travel across the country to play Penrith, where three points are needed to remain in the top six. Star ManScott Pocklington - solid.
Chris Swailes scored the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark as Aycliffe missed the chance to climb into the top five.
The game will unfortunately be remembered for an awful injury to Dunston’s Lee McAndrew in the first-half. The winger made heavy contact with one of the concrete fence posts that surround the pitch, leaving McAndrew missing a large chunk of his leg and an ambulance had to be called to the ground.
Aycliffe suffered a major blow before kick-off with news that John Close would miss the game with a knee injury, while striker Danny Mellanby was not fit enough to start and Ben Wood missed out through suspension.
Darren Craddock returned to the back three, while Dale Jardine and Warren Byrne started in attack. Fred Woodhouse was back in the squad after arriving back in the country following a six month spell in Australia and was named among the substitutes.
Aycliffe were looking to bounce back from a first defeat in 12 on Tuesday night, but FA Vase semi-finalists Dunston were in control from the start, denying the Newtonians any time or space on the ball.
The game was always a scrappy affair, but it was the visitors who were creating the chances, even though talismanic figure Andy Bulford limped off within the first couple of minutes.
The left-foot of Terry Galbraith was keeping Aycliffe goalkeeper Scott Pocklington busy with a barrage of crosses from corners and free-kicks in the opening exchanges.
In the 16th minute, Aycliffe’s keeper did well to punch clear one of these corners, but the ball went only as far as Ian Herron on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s fierce effort from 18 yards was well blocked by Josh Knox.
Ten minutes later McAndrew suffered his horrible injury, which provoked a lengthy delay while the winger was stretchered off to the changing rooms and an ambulance was called.
Soon after the game got back underway, Craddock was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Goddard on the left-hand touchline, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Galbraith whipped in a dangerous cross and Swailes was unmarked as he headed past Pocklington from six yards out.
Aycliffe battled away, but took until the 70th minute to have a serious effort at goal. Nathan Wilson finally found some room and put in a superb cross for Byrne, whose spectacular volley was brilliantly held by Liam Connell in the Dunston goal.
Wodhouse and Mellanby were introduced from the bench as Aycliffe searched for an equaliser but, while they saw more of the ball, still couldn’t create a clear cut chance.
Stuart Owen blazed a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the area, while Jardine had half a sight of goal late on, but the visitors successfully saw out the game.
Aycliffe will aim to bounce back next weekend as they travel across the country to play Penrith, where three points are needed to remain in the top six. Star ManScott Pocklington - solid.
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