By Ryan Livingston
Newton Aycliffe continued their play-off chasing charge with two consecutive victories, firstly against Garforth Town at The Ashcourt Stadium and then Bradford (Park Avenue) away.
They now find themselves fourth in the table. On Saturday (March 22), they host seventh-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels, themselves with play-off hopes. Kick off at Moore Lane is 3pm.
March 8: Newton Aycliffe 2, Garforth Town 0
Newton Aycliffe have now gone over a month unbeaten at home when they comfortably beaten Garforth Town 2-0.
Aycliffe were simply the better side in every department, although the first half was low on chances for both sides.
The second half saw Aycliffe wear down the Yorkshire visitors and an own goal was the first goal of the afternoon.
Liam Jarvie seemed to be looking for Liam Adamson when he passed the ball to the opposite side of the keeper, but before Adamson could claim it Garforth’s Harry Viggars slipped it into his own net in the 57th minute.
The second goal for Aycliffe came just minutes later when Ethan Wood found Adamson, and Adamson feinted past both Jamie Barkway and Harry Viggars with class to expertly finish and round off a great home performance which also gave Aycliffe their first clean sheet since February 1 against Bridlington.
March 15: Bradford (Park Avenue) 0, Newton Aycliffe 1
This was a defensive contest with few concrete chances where Aycliffe’s defensive discipline truly shined.
The first half had the games only goal when Jake Petitjean successfully converted a penalty in the 12th minute after Liam Jarvie was brought down in the Bradford box.
The second half was very defensive as Bradford were consistently stifled by the well martialed Aycliffe defence and hard working midfield.
Results elsewhere saw Aycliffe finish the day in fourth and do the double over fellow play-off chasers Bradford (Park Avenue) while also recording cleansheets in two successive games.