By Bob Wood
Newton Aycliffe get their season underway this Saturday (August 3) when Whickham visit the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.
There will be several new faces added to the squad that finished 12th in last season’s Ebac Northern League Division One.
Colin Stromsoy has strengthened the team with ex Bishop Auckland player Shaun Ryder coming into midfield while striker Dean Thexton has joined from Willington.
It should be a tough opening game with Whickham having signed a number of players with higher league experience over the summer.
Aycliffe completed their preseason programme with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Washington last Saturday. Alan Harrison scored an early first goal with a fine strike from outside the box.
Gez Richardson added a second from the penalty spot and scored the third goal with ten minutes to go when he pounced on a defensive error to seal the win.
It’s a hectic start to the season as Aycliffe have two games against Northallerton in the week following the season opener.
They travel to the Calvert Stadium on Wednesday, August 7, for a league game before welcoming Northallerton back to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium for the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday, August 10.
Next game:
Saturday 3 August ko 3pm
Ebac Northern League Division One
Newton Aycliffe v Whickham
Beaumont Landscapes Stadium
Newton Aycliffe Sports Club
Moore Lane
DL5 5AG
Admission Adults £6 Concessions £4