Newton Aycliffe 2, Redcar Athletic 1
By Bob Wood
Newton Aycliffe snatched three points in a dramatic finish at the SecuriCorp Stadium.
The Newtonians led 1-0 as the clock hit 90 minutes but added time brought an equaliser, then a winner.
The game at Moore Lane was one of only four Northern League games to take place on Saturday.
The heavy rain of recent days had played havoc with the League programme.
However, the club’s investment in drainage paid off and the one dry day on Friday was sufficient to allow the pitch to recover.
After a strong start Aycliffe took the lead after 15 minutes. A corner from the left fell to Callum Munro whose neat back-heel put Liam Jarvie through. His cross was met by Liam Adamson who headed the ball passed goalkeeper Jack Norton.
The home side came close to a second goal just after the half hour. Marc Costello won the ball in midfield and drove into the box before slotting a pass through to Jarvie whose shot from a tight angle hit the side netting. With half-time approaching Aycliffe had another good chance when Adamson saw a shot tipped over the bar by Norton.
The Steelmen came more into the game in the second half but were unable to make anything of their chances.
During one of their attacks Aycliffe keeper Decklan Greenwood took a knock which resulted in him being substituted.
With the match apparently heading to a 1-0 win the game took a dramatic twist. A long ball into the Aycliffe box wasn’t cleared by the defence and fell to substitute Owen Clarkson who calmly fired past sub keeper Adam McHugh.
However, the action didn’t finish there. As the game entered the fourth minute of added time a long ball forward found Adamson who ran through and squared to Jarvie who fired home from close range.
The win saw Aycliffe maintain fourth place in the Ebac Northern League Division One, on 36 points.
Their next game in the league is a trip to Crook Town on Saturday (November 26).
Before that, they have the rearranged Durham Challenge Cup game at home to Consett on Tuesday (November 22)>
Aycliffe return to the SecuriCorp Stadium on Saturday, December 3, when Thornaby will be the visitors.
Fixtures:
Tuesday 22 November (h) – Consett (Durham Challenge Cup)
Saturday 26 November (a) – Crook Town
Saturday 3 December (h) – Thornaby
Saturday 10 December (h) – Pickering Town
Saturday 17 December (a) – Guisborough Town
Tuesday 27 December (h) – Bishop Auckland (Bank Holiday 1pm kick off)