Match Preview

Joe Ramage previews the visit of Hebburn Town

Newton Aycliffe return to Ebac Northern League Division One action at The Beaumont Landscapes Stadium on Tuesday as they welcome FA Vase semi-finalists Hebburn Town in another important fixture.

Following Saturday’s impressive 4-0 win at rivals West Auckland, Aycliffe moved up into fifth place in the league table, eight points behind Tuesday’s visitors in third with a game in hand.

Head coach Colin Stromsoy will be hoping for some positive news on the injury front after striker Adam Burnicle and full back Lewis Walton were both forced off with injuries in Saturday’s win at The Wanted Stadium – Burnicle in particular would be a big miss for Aycliffe having scored nine goals since his arrival in January.

“We’ll see,” Stromsoy said of whether the duo will be fit for Tuesday.

“I think it’s doubtful, if I’m honest, which is a real shame.

“It’s just unfortunate for us that we’ve not got a huge squad and with these games coming thick and fast we’re conscious that we can’t afford many injuries.”

Johnson Ballan and Nick Green will be hoping their substitute appearances on Saturday will be enough to convince Stromsoy to give them the nod should Burnicle and Walton miss out.

“Johnson has had a full 45 minutes when he’s not had a lot of game time, but we’ll have to see.

“Nick’s come on and done great at left back for Lewis, but Lewis has been playing phenomenally well so if we lose Lewis that’s going to be tough, too.

“But that’s football. You’ve got to suck it up and move on.”

The last time the two sides met in the league was back in October at The Energy Check Sports Ground where Aycliffe fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

But the hosts will be hoping to rectify that and bring Hebburn crashing back down to earth after their euphoria of reaching the FA Vase semi-final on Saturday with a win over Plymouth Parkway.

A win will see Aycliffe leapfrog North Shields into fourth place after their game with Consett was postponed on Monday.

“It’ll be a tough game,” said Stromsoy.

“They’re all tough games, especially at this stage of the season, and we’ll have to be right at it if we want to get something from the game.”

Kick off at The Beaumont Landscapes Stadium is at 19.45.