Newton Aycliffe 0, Jarrow Roofing 1
By Dave Strickland
Newton Aycliffe suffered a narrow defeat at home to Jarrow Roofing, as a goal from ex-Aycliffe player Dennis Knight gave Roofing the points.
Roofing started brightly and Knight had two shots on goal in the first five minutes, but both missed the target.
Then another ex-Aycliffe player John Campbell got into a dangerous position and got his shot away, only for Andrew Grant-Soulsby to make a great block, and it was Knight again, forcing a great save from home keeper James Winter.
Aycliffe settled, producing some good moves, ending with Nathan Stephenson and Kurt Matthews shooting, but without troubling Roofing keeper Regan.
Roofing had a goal disallowed on 32 minutes when Winter was barged as he caught a high ball, with the ball spilling into the net. Stuart Banks went on a good run for Aycliffe, but put his shot over the bar.
Then Knight was in the action again, but put another shot past the post. Aycliffe had a good chance two minutes before the break when Jordan Jewson did well to get past his marker, but then shot at Regan from a narrow angle, when he could have crossed it to Stephenson.
The second half contained less goalmouth action, as both sides tried more long passes as football became difficult as the pitch cut up.
Aycliffe were grateful to man-of-the-match Winter with 15 minutes to go, when he made a superb double save.
Roofing broke the deadlock on 83 minutes when Knight made half-a-yard on the edge of the box and put an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Aycliffe pressed hard for the equaliser, but couldn’t make a breakthrough, and remain in 15th in the Northern League table.
Next up is Jarrow Roofing, away this time, on Saturday (April 21, 3pm) followed by Seaham Red Star at home on Monday (April 23, 7.30pm).
