Our panel of three football writers give their predictions on Newton Aycliffe’s game this weekend…
Three points are awarded if our ‘experts’ pick the exact score, 1 point awarded if they get the result correct.
Paul McGeary stole a slender lead when predicting defeat at Team North last weekend, but missed the correct score by just one goal.
Paul McGeary – 1
Martin Walker – 0
Glen Robertson – 0
Looking to improve their fortunes this week, the panel run their eye over the trip to Spennymoor Town…
Glen Robertson
I’ve had as bad a start to the season with my predictions as Aycliffe have on the pitch. One of those runs will be ending this week. Allan Oliver was critical of some of his players in the press this week – something that rarely, if ever, happens at the club. I was told how excited Allan was before the season, but unfortunately luck has completely deserted his team. Against Holker, Aycliffe had enough chances to win three cup ties, the Marske game could have gone either way and even the Bishop one could’ve been so different had it not been for uncharacteristic errors from Scott Pocklington, or if Sean Tarling’s effort had gone a bit lower and not bounced off the bar. After four league defeats the last thing you want is a trip to Spennymoor. It’s the hardest game of the season and I can’t see Aycliffe ending their duck here. But I’d be extremely happy if I remain on zero points come Saturday evening.
Spennymoor Town 3-0 Newton Aycliffe
Paul McGeary
The only tonic for four straight league defeats (and two FA Cup failures) – and the Shildon defeat at the end of last season – is a trip to Spennymoor Town, a club which has won the title in each of the past three campaigns, amassing 300 points and 318 goals along the way! Moors completed the double over Aycliffe last season, though the 1-0 scoreline flattered the Newtonians on both occasions. For the first time since I have been covering the club, Allan publically hit out after last weekend’s dire performances and it’ll be interesting to see how the lads react. Hopefully we’ll have one or two of the injuries back and can restore Gavin Barton to the front-line against his former employers. I’d be silly to predict an away win, but I’m going for away goals, and the season starts on Saturday at 4.45!
Spennymoor Town 3-2 Newton Aycliffe
Martin Walker
I’m getting a bit fed-up of my lousy predicting record this season, and it would be easy to opt for a Spennymoor thrashing this Saturday, but with players back in the side – and the fact we tend to raise our game against the better sides – I’m hopeful we can give a good account of ourselves at Brewery Field.
It will be extremely difficult, there’s no getting away from that – Spenny are a big, strong side, and they’ve improved their playing squad this summer, so although I think we’ll put up a spirited fight, the home side will run out comfortable winners.
Spennymoor Town 3-1 Newton Aycliffe