League Cup Win at Easington

Newton Aycliffe won 4-1 away to Easington Colliery in the League Cup. This year's competition starts with a league system, so Aycliffe still have two games to play in their group.

Aycliffe started well, playing against a very strong wind. Liam Jarvie, making his debut had an early chance but hit his shot wide. Easington came into the game, forcing Aycliffe keeper Adam Pickford to make two good saves in succession on the quarter hour mark. Aycliffe had a let off on 32 minutes when Home-Jackson fired over the bar from eight yards out.

Aycliffe then had a good spell leading up to half time. Sam Read and Jarvie both shots saved by Easington keeper Lawrence. Right on half time, Ethan Wood played a ball through to Dean Thexton and he went around Lawrence to open the scoring.

Aycliffe started the second half with the wind behind them and played the better football, keeping the ball low and putting some good moves together. Ethan Wood had a couple of early shots, but didn't trouble Lawrence. But on 55 minutes, Easington equalised. A shot rebounded off Pickford and Home-Jackson was the first to the loose ball to force it home. Within a minute Aycliffe looked to have scored when Lawrence let Lewis Walton's shot squirm out of his grasp and over the line. The goal wasn't given, and this seemed to spur Aycliffe on.

On 61 minutes Thexton dribbled past three defenders in the penalty box and was pushed from behind. A penalty was awarded and Thexton put it away for 2-1. Aycliffe were doing all the pressing and Lawrence made two good saves from Shaun Ryder and Johnson Ballan. On 75 minutes, Ballan pressurised a defender into squaring the ball straight to man-of-the match Thexton, who made no mistake from inside the penalty area to complete his hat trick.

Right on full-time, Aycliffe put together a good team move, with Walton getting to the by-line and pulling the ball back for Harrison Webster to score his first goal for the club for 4-1.

Next match is a home league game against Penrith at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium, on Saturday 12th October. Kick off 3pm.

MOTM : Thexton. Cautions : none. Substitutes : Walton for Read (53), Ballan for Jarvis (73), Webster for Carr (75). Attendance : 135.