Newton Aycliffe Sports Club 1, Consett Fountain 1
(AET: NASC won 4-2 on pens)
By Paul Eales
The County Cup came to Moore Lane for Newton Aycliffe Sports Club’s first ever outing in the competition at the weekend.
The 2nd Preliminary Round against Consett Fountain was always going to be a tough tie, one that would test the resolve of the Aycliffe side.
The game started very brightly and straight from the Kick Off Aycliffe broke through the Consett defence and glanced a shot just past the post.
The early signs were good with the home side dominating the midfield, with Paul Cook (pictured above) maintaining his good early season form alongside the hard wokring Gareth Boyes and Craig Barrigan.
The early dominance could of and should have paid off, but the Sports Club mis-firing centre forwards failed to make the away keeper work too hard.
The second half mirrored the first half, with the home side having most of the possession but failing in the final third to make the dominance count and the game phased away with extra time looming.
With roll on, roll off subs being allowed in the competition this year both sides used the rule wisely to try and maintain energy levels in the burning heat.
It wasn’t until the 2nd period of extra time that the deadlock was finally broken. An excellent through ball found Chris Jones who held off the oncoming defenders, beared down on goal and confidently slotted past the Consett Keeper with only 8 minutes of extra time remaining.
However, this wasn’t to be the end of this entertaining game and after winning a corner with only 4 minutes remaining, Consett netted the equaliser to take the game to penelties.
It was time to stand up and be counted. Consett won the toss and opted for Aycliffe to go first.
After putting in a Man of the Match Performance, Paul Cook stepped up to take the first penalty – slotting home to the right of the keeper.
Consett then took their first – which was magnificantly saved by Chris Palmer, diving to his left to push the shot away. Connor Hughes scored the second, albeit slightly scuffed and Consett netted their first.
Tom Postle stepped up to take the third after converting 5 from 5 last season….and missed, sending the shot wide of the keepers right hand side.
Consett scored their third to level the score at 2-2. Chris jones comfortably converted the fourth to make it 3-2 and Chris Palmer saved the oppositions next effort after being sent the wrong way but saved with his feet.
David Teder only had to score the 5th penalty to win the tie and did so under intense pressure – NASC FCs first win in the County Cup.
The Sports Club now anxiously await details of the next round draw which will be published shortly. NASC FC are away to The Wheatsheaf in the League Cup next Sunday hoping to maintain their good early season form.
Team: Stephen Richardon, David Hall (Capt), Mark Craggs, Carl Little, Paul Cook, Gareth Boyes, Craig Barrigan, Michael Burns, Anthony Campbell, Chris Jones (1), David Teder
Subs Used: Chris Palmer, Connor Hughes, Tom Postle, Tom Henty, Warren Richardson.