Washington 1, Newton Aycliffe 2
Durham Challenge Cup, quarter-finals
Newton Aycliffe’s Northern League club bounced back from their disappointing FA Vase exit at the weekend by coming from behind to win a crucial cup tie on Tuesday night.
The Newtonians – beaten 5-0 in the fifth round of the Vase at Camberley Town on Saturday – recovered to beat Washington 2-1 at the Nissan Sports Complex.
Peter Dixon’s side came back from a goal down to claim victory on South Tyneside.
It took almost half an hour before the sparse crowd saw the first goal of the game. It was worth waiting for with Mark Davison unleashing a fine shot into the top corner giving Lewis Brass in the Aycliffe goal no chance.
Aycliffe came close to equalising with 37 minutes gone. John Campbell ran on to a ball played over the defence. The Washington keeper raced out of the box and handled the ball. The referee awarded a free kick but to the surprise of most waved only a yellow card.
The visitors came out in positive mood for the second half and caused more problems for the Washington defence.
But the pressure didn’t take effect until the 69th minute. Zak Boagey’s dribble into the box was ended with a trip. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Campbell converted with ease.
A few minutes later Campbell was in action again providing an excellent cross which Ashley Coffey headed wide from close range.
With four minutes to go Boagey grabbed the winner as the defence failed to clear a cross. The ball fell to the Aycliffe player who fired home.
The victory sends Aycliffe into the Durham Challenge Cup semi-finals as the Blues face a backlog of fixtures between now and the end of the season, due to the number of postponed games during the spell of wet weather.
They slipped to eighth in the first division on Tuesday night after Consett’s win at Ashington, but they have up to six games in hand on some teams inside the top seven.
Aycliffe entertain Jarrow Roofing at Moore Lane Park this Saturday (6th February).
Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm, with admission £6 adults, £4 concessions and FREE for Under-12s accompanied by an adult.