Newton Aycliffe 1, Bedlington Terriers 2
Newton Aycliffe slipped to their third straight home defeat of the season, with an underwhelming performance against Bedlington Terriers on Wednesday night.
The visitors came into the game with just one point from their three Northern League games to date and sitting just above the relegation zone in the albeit fledgling league table.
Aycliffe came into the game with three points from their two games, but with the added disappointment of the FA Cup exit at the weekend.
The game had the feel of a pre-season game early on, with neither side appearing to have the desire or the quality to maintain possession or hurt the opposition.
It took until the 18th minute for either side to register a shot, with Aycliffe’s Mickle giving a relatively easy save to McCafferty in the Bedlington goal.
Around the half hour mark Scott Oldfield saw his goal bound effort saved by McCafferty, before Atkinson drove a shot narrowly wide. The visitors had to wait until the 42nd minute to test Johnson, but he was equal to Williamson’s effort.
From the kick-off for the second half Bedlington should have led, but Scott shot straight at Johnson. A Hinchley block and a Storey goal line clearance kept the visitors at bay, while Broom skied a chance for Aycliffe at the other end.
With 53 minutes gone, Dobson somehow managed to head a free header wide, before the pressure finally told in the 54th minute. Right back Harvey took a shot which travelled through a group of players and nestled in the bottom corner.
Webster, Upton and M Young replaced Storey, Morris and Broom as Aycliffe looked for a way back into the game.
Atkinson saw his shot saved by McCafferty in the 75th minute but Aycliffe failed to really apply significant pressure.
With six minutes remaining, Young misplaced a pass straight to the Bedlington forward, who advanced towards the penalty area. Langthorne slid in to win the ball but caught the forward. The referee pointed to the spot and dismissed Langthorne, deeming it a goal scoring opportunity. Substitute Watson stepped up and slotted the kick home for a 2-0 lead. Aycliffe were aggrieved that the offence took place outside the box.
On 88 Aycliffe received a lifeline as Player Manager Webster bundled the ball home from close range.
As Aycliffe pressed for the equaliser into added time, they were further angered by the Referee. With Atkinson running through on goal, the official blew for full time, leaving an angry group of Aycliffe players questioning the decision!
Whatever the rights and wrongs, Aycliffe left empty handed, and now head into a difficult looking Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday they travel to high flying Consett (3pm), before hosting Bishop Auckland on Monday (1pm). They know they need to pick some points up over the weekend.
Aycliffe: Johnson, Storey, Oldfield, Langthorne, Hinchley, Owen, Wing, Morris, Atkinson, Mickle, Broom.
Substitutes: M Young, Webster, Upton, J Young, Slatcher.