By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe’s recently found inability to convert chances cost them for the second Saturday running as Sunderland RCA produced a lesson in clinical finishing to take the points at Moore Lane Park.
Allan Oliver’s side have only netted once in their last three outings – a heavily deflected Elliot Gardner effort in the dying embers at home to Tow Law Town a fortnight ago.
This defeat was the hosts’ fifth on home soil so far this term, and one which will give Oliver cause for concern as he tries to stop a rot which has seen his side go three games without victory.
Scott Pocklington returned between the posts while Anth Campbell was restored in a defensive re-shuffle, caused by the absence of John Close. Josh Gray and Ben Wood returned to the bench to give Oliver attacking options, but recent signing Warren Byrne missed out due to a prior arrangement.
Gardner had the first sight on goal as he whacked a 25-yard half-volley goalwards following good work between Stephen Gibson and Paul Broom, but ‘keeper Neal Atkinson got himself right behind the effort to save comfortably.
Two minutes later and the lively Alex Benjamin forced a good stop from Pocklington, who got a foot to the former South Shields man’s 15-yard drive to divert for a corner.
From the resultant corner however, a static home defence allowed Mark Davison to run across goal and flick the centre towards goal, with a slight deviation off Campbell proving decisive as the ball steered past Pocklington.
10 minutes later and the visitors doubled their advantage as Benjamin conjured something out of nothing. Controlling a high ball forward, the prolific marksman turned Mark Peck two ways before firing an angled drive low past Pocklington at his near post.
Aycliffe started the second period brighter and within a minute of the restart Campbell forced Atkinson into a diving stop while the same player reacted to a loose ball in the area following a scramble but could only turn his effort over the vacant goal under pressure.
Gibson was next to extend Atkinson’s reflexes, as he played a one-two with Dale Jardine before firing towards the top corner only to watch the ‘keeper superbly claw the ball for a corner.
Aycliffe knew their luck was out on 63 minutes when defender Darren Craddock rose highest in the area to meet Broom’s corner, only to see his effort cannon back off the face of the crossbar and run to safety.
Aycliffe must now pick themselves up as next week sees the trip to Bedlington Terriers, now just one point and one place behind Oliver’s men, who could slip out of the top-six for the first time in five weeks.
Star Man
Stephen Gibson – Marauding!

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