Newton Aycliffe 3, Ryhope Colliery Welfare 1
By Dave Strickland
Newton Aycliffe returned to winning ways with a home 3-1 win at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium, taking them back into second spot in the Northern League first division table.
However, they had to come back from an early setback when they conceded after only two minutes.
A cross to the far post evaded Lewis Walton and Bird scrambled it into the corner of the net.
Ryhope could have gone two ahead six minutes later when Rae broke clear but Adam Pickford made a good save.
They were to regret the miss, as Aycliffe got going and dominated after that. Kev Carr shot wide from a good position and Walton had a strong shot saved by ex-Aycliffe goalkeeper James Winter.
Aycliffe then put together some flowing moves on the heavy pitch. Liam Jarvie had the ball in the net on 40 minutes but it was called offside. He wasn’t to be denied for long, as right on half time he turned in a low cross from Carr for the equaliser.
Aycliffe produced a stunning team move within a minute of the re-start. It ended with man-of-the-match Jarvie getting on the end of another low cross for 2-1.
Shaun Ryder and Dean Thexton both had good efforts as Aycliffe pressed forward.
Substitute Johnson Ballan ensured that Aycliffe got all three points as he beat his marker and rifled it past Winter for Aycliffe’s third goal in the 90th minute. This was Aycliffe’s 50th goal of the season in only 23 matches.
Aycliffe’s next game is at home to Guisborough on Saturday (Nov 16, 3pm).
