By Ryan Livingston
Newton Aycliffe progressed in both FA competitions last week – in both cases thanks to penalty shoot-outs.
Last Tuesday they beat NPL Premier side Bamber Bridge in a replay to progress to the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup for only the second time in their history.
Jake Petitjean’s second half equaliser took the tie to extra time then spot kicks.
All five of Aycliffe’s penalties found the net to secure the win and a home tie against Warrington Rylands on Saturday (September 14, ko 3pm).
In the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday, Aycliffe had a long trip to Ellesmere Port to face NPL West’s Vauxhall Motors.
The earlier periods of the first half saw Vauxhall Motors have many chances on target, the biggest let off perhaps when veteran forward Kevin Ellison’s acrobatic finish hit the post, and his resulting rebound header was easily stopped by Jim Pollard.
Just prior to this Alex Nelson’s superbly timed tackle denied George Nugent who had beaten Pollard.
Aycliffe were struggling on what was a very heavy and poorly cut pitch, but still had chances, and they went into the second half 1-0 up when in the 45th minute Cole Kiernan coolly slotted home after brilliant play from Jake Petitjean.
Vauxhall Motors started the second half on the front foot. Pollard was almost immediately forced into saves by Connor Rankin and Ellison.
Jordan Wynne tried his luck from outside the box early in the second half, and in the 70th minute his long range shot was successful and made it 1-1.
Both Cieran Jackson and Wayne Whitfield had chances late in the game. But Vauxhall Motors seemed more inclined to sit back and go for penalties.
For the second time in five days Aycliffe headed into a penalty shoot-out, coming out 3-2 winners with a fine Pollard save sealing the win and a trip to Emley in the next round.
Manager Brian Atkinson said: “We did really exceptional today.
“It was a tough ask especially since we went to extra time in another game earlier in the week.
“We produced against a decent team, and it was nice to come out top on penalties, it just shows the team’s character.”
• The above picture, by Yvonne Wood, shows Aycliffe skipper Ethan Wood in FA Cup action against Bamber Bridge.