Newton Aycliffe FC v Darlington RA

Newton Aycliffe recorded their first-ever FA Cup victory with a 5-1 thrashing of Darlington RA.
The Royal Blues ran riot away at Darlington RA in the extra preliminary round, with even goalkeeper Dan Molyneux getting his name on the scoresheet, to set up a mouthwatering preliminary round clash with local rivals Spennymoor.
Reigning FA Vase winners Spennymoor edged past Sunderland RCA in their opening round tie to set up the game at Moore Lane Park on Saturday August 31.
Aycliffe have never beaten the Moors, but have always beaten the Vase holders whenever they have faced them the following year – Whitley Bay in 2010 and 2011 and Dunston in 2012.
And if they show the same goal threat they have in their opening three games, where they have scored 13 goals with three resounding victories – then they will have a great chance of springing a surprise.
Darlington RA had no response to the blistering display at the weekend.
Despite horrendous wind and a poor playing surface, Allan Oliver’s absorbed the early pressure from the home town and set about creating history.
Jamie Owens opened the scoring with a curling free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.
In-form striker Danny Earl doubled the lead two minutes before the interval with an instinctive turn and shot from inside the box.
Any hopes of a comeback for Darlington RA were ended immediately after half-time. When Scott Oldfield was forced into a backpass it appeared the home side’s defence could take a breather, but seconds later a wind-assisted punt from keeper Molyneux found its way into the net at the opposite end, taking one bounce on its way.
That knocked the stuffing out of Aycliffe’s opponents, and it was soon 4-0 as Stephen Salvin headed in from a corner for his first goal in a Royal Blue shirt.
Owens teed-up substitute Dan Mellanby for a fifth before Steve Allison bagged a consolation.