Chester-le-Street 1, Newton Aycliffe 1
Newton Aycliffe took a point from their trip to Chester Moor last Saturday.
With the Premier League on an international break Saturday was designated “Non League Day” when those who normally follow top tier teams are encouraged to go local.
As one fan was to tweet later about this game “well done both teams, worth every penny of the admission fee.”
Newly-promoted Chester-le-Street have spent the early weeks of the season at the foot of the table. However, they came into this game full of confidence after a shock result at Dunston a few days earlier when losing 2-0 at half time they managed to score five in the second half.
The home side started well but never looked like repeating their Dunston performance.
They did get the first shot in but it didn’t trouble Aycliffe keeper James Winter.
Dennis Knight looked to cause problems for the Chester defence and had two shots after 20 minutes. One was saved and the other went wide.
Aycliffe applied more pressure as the half progressed. Alex Kitchen had a shot blocked from a John Campbell corner and with the halftime whistle approaching Campbell had a shot saved.
The second half continued in similar vein with shots from both sides but neither keeper unduly troubled.
Aycliffe suffered a blow on the hour when central defender Kitchen was perhaps unfortunate to be sent off for a ‘last man’ foul.
Just two minutes later Aycliffe nearly took the lead when a Jordan Laidler effort was cleared off the line.
After 74 minutes Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon made a change bringing on Zak Boagey for Knight.
Within three minutes Boagey was in action slotting a ball through the defence for Campbell to run on to. The forward took the ball in his stride and placed it out of the reach of the diving keeper.
The lead lasted just five minutes with Chester-le-Street equalising through Dominic Laws.
The game finished with further drama as Winter pulled off an amazing reaction save from the last kick of the match.
Aycliffe continue their travels this week with a trip to Dunston on Saturday (September 10).
The next home game is against Penrith on Saturday September 17, kick off 3pm.