Newton Aycliffe 6, Tow Law Town 1
By Bob Wood
Newton Aycliffe hit their visitors for six on scorching hot day at the SecuriCorp Stadium.
Tow Law came into the game on the back of an excellent FA Cup replay win in midweek.
However, Aycliffe dominated the game with Jamie Owens (2), Oscar Taylor, Callum Munro, Ethan Wood and substitute Liam Jarvie all finding the net.
The result moves Aycliffe up to third place in the Ebac Northern League Division One with 10 points.
The two teams ahead of them, Ashington and Whickham, still have 100% records after four games.
The first 20 minutes were fairly even in a game played in hot conditions. The teams and referee had agreed in advance to the unusual step of taking water breaks at 15 and 30 minutes.
The first goal came after 23 minutes following good play between Owens and Marc Costello the ball fell to Taylor who fired home from close range.
Three minutes later Owens got on the scoresheet, meeting a fine cross from Ethan Wood and heading past the keeper.
The third goal was another header, this time a free kick from the left touchline was met by Munro at the back post.
Aycliffe made it 4-0 at half-time thanks to another Owens goal. New signing Anthony Callaghan drove forward and exchanged passes with Costello before the ball was passed to the Aycliffe number 10 who curled a shot inside the post from outside the box.
The second half started with Tow Law pulling a goal back with Nick Marley evading the home defence and firing a strike from the edge of the box.
However, the visitors were not able to maintain the momentum and once again Aycliffe began to press.
The home side scored their fifth with a goal from man-of-the-match Wood, who found space and struck for goal from 20 yards, out with the keeper well beaten.
The final goal came in the closing stages of the game with substitute Jarvie put through and managing to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.
The 6-1 scoreline was fully deserved for an Aycliffe side who seem to be gaining in confidence.
Another home match beckons on Tuesday (August 16) when Crook Town visit Moore Lane.
Aycliffe then go on the road next to Thornaby on Saturday (August 20) and Pickering Town on Tuesday, August 23, before returning to the SecuriCorp Stadium for the FA Vase tie against Esh Winning on Saturday, August 27.
• Above picture, by Yvonne Wood, shows Callum Munro heading home.