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Wed 19 Oct 2011
Newton Aycliffe FCSouth Shields
J Close (0')
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4
Newton Aycliffe FC v South Shields
Stephen Cunliffe19 Oct 2011 - 19:30
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Match report
By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe crashed to a record-equalling league reverse as South Shields recorded a 4-1 triumph at Moore Lane Park.
On an evening when the Aycliffe players were caught as cold as the temperatures, Shields raced into a three-goal half-time lead, which was glossed by a wonder goal from skipper Alex Benjamin.
Despite a better showing from the Newtonians in the second period, John Close’s late goal came perhaps too late, and Benjamin wrapped victory up in injury time.
Allan Oliver recalled nephew James to the back-line for the injured Mark Peck while Stuart Owen replaced Josh Gray, a late withdrawal due to a relapse of the back complaint which sidelined him for four games.
Shields were ahead after just 150 seconds, as Benjamin outstripped Darren Craddock before finding strike partner Stephen Ramsey well placed six yards out to toe-prod through Scott Pocklington’s legs.
The Sand-Dancers doubled their advantage on the half hour mark, when full-back Paul Talbot swung a free-kick in from the touchline which evaded everyone in the crowded penalty area before settling in the bottom corner.
Elliot Gardner struck the crossbar from an Aycliffe breakaway in the hosts’ best opportunity of an otherwise lacklustre first period before Benjamin’s intervention put the game beyond reach.
Capitalising on an under hit pass from Craddock, Benjamin looked up from the half-way line before sending a measured lob over Pocklington’s head and under the Town-End crossbar.
A trio of changes in the second half saw a much better display from Aycliffe, with returning skipper Sean Tarling and Tom Portals taking hold of the game in the middle of the park.
Oliver, now playing at centre forward forced Jonathan Ball into a fingertip save after 55 minutes while the same player’s unorthodox control in the box saw the loose ball squirm to Gardner whose shot was well smothered by the visiting ‘keeper as Aycliffe turned the screw.
Luke Black stooped to head Phil Gray’s cross at the back stick with 18 minutes remaining only to find Ball in fine form again while Gardner stung the stopper’s hands on 76 before Portas’ rebound was blocked for a corner by the covering Dan Kirkup.
Aycliffe finally got the goal their pressure warranted with 13 minutes left when John Close prodded home Black’s right-wing cross despite Ball’s best efforts and Oliver himself had a great opportunity to further reduce the arrears in the last minute only for Ball to gather at the second attempt on his goal-line.
Benjamin wrapped victory up with his second of the evening when he dispossessed Pocklington before rounding the ‘keeper and finding the unguarded goal in injury time before the referee brought proceedings to a halt, sounding Aycliffe’s second successive home defeat and their third of the season.
Star Man
Tom Portas – Cog!
Newton Aycliffe crashed to a record-equalling league reverse as South Shields recorded a 4-1 triumph at Moore Lane Park.
On an evening when the Aycliffe players were caught as cold as the temperatures, Shields raced into a three-goal half-time lead, which was glossed by a wonder goal from skipper Alex Benjamin.
Despite a better showing from the Newtonians in the second period, John Close’s late goal came perhaps too late, and Benjamin wrapped victory up in injury time.
Allan Oliver recalled nephew James to the back-line for the injured Mark Peck while Stuart Owen replaced Josh Gray, a late withdrawal due to a relapse of the back complaint which sidelined him for four games.
Shields were ahead after just 150 seconds, as Benjamin outstripped Darren Craddock before finding strike partner Stephen Ramsey well placed six yards out to toe-prod through Scott Pocklington’s legs.
The Sand-Dancers doubled their advantage on the half hour mark, when full-back Paul Talbot swung a free-kick in from the touchline which evaded everyone in the crowded penalty area before settling in the bottom corner.
Elliot Gardner struck the crossbar from an Aycliffe breakaway in the hosts’ best opportunity of an otherwise lacklustre first period before Benjamin’s intervention put the game beyond reach.
Capitalising on an under hit pass from Craddock, Benjamin looked up from the half-way line before sending a measured lob over Pocklington’s head and under the Town-End crossbar.
A trio of changes in the second half saw a much better display from Aycliffe, with returning skipper Sean Tarling and Tom Portals taking hold of the game in the middle of the park.
Oliver, now playing at centre forward forced Jonathan Ball into a fingertip save after 55 minutes while the same player’s unorthodox control in the box saw the loose ball squirm to Gardner whose shot was well smothered by the visiting ‘keeper as Aycliffe turned the screw.
Luke Black stooped to head Phil Gray’s cross at the back stick with 18 minutes remaining only to find Ball in fine form again while Gardner stung the stopper’s hands on 76 before Portas’ rebound was blocked for a corner by the covering Dan Kirkup.
Aycliffe finally got the goal their pressure warranted with 13 minutes left when John Close prodded home Black’s right-wing cross despite Ball’s best efforts and Oliver himself had a great opportunity to further reduce the arrears in the last minute only for Ball to gather at the second attempt on his goal-line.
Benjamin wrapped victory up with his second of the evening when he dispossessed Pocklington before rounding the ‘keeper and finding the unguarded goal in injury time before the referee brought proceedings to a halt, sounding Aycliffe’s second successive home defeat and their third of the season.
Star Man
Tom Portas – Cog!
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