By Ryan Livingston
Newton Aycliffe FC’s pre-season preparations conclude on Saturday when Step 3 side Basford United make the journey up from Nottingham. Kick off at Moore Lane is at 1pm.
Brian Atkinson’s side start their second season in the NPL East Division away to Sheffield FC on August 10.
Aycliffe are unbeaten against Sheffield FC, with their last meeting a 1-1 draw featuring a last minute wondergoal courtesy of Liam Adamson.
The first home game for Aycliffe is against newly-promoted and current Northern Counties East League champions Emley AFC on Tuesday, August 13.
Emley are no strangers to NPL football however, they played in the league throughout the 1990s under their original Emley FC incarnation.
Aycliffe’s foray into the FA Cup begins on August 17, when they play host to either Beverley Town or Whitley Bay in the Preliminary Round.
Ossett United are the visitors on August 24, and newly-promoted Sherwood Colliery follow on the 31.
In between those three games are two midweek fixtures, both of which are away to two newly-promoted teams from the Northern League.
With a Wednesday night encounter at Heaton Stannington on August 21, and a local derby against Northern League champions Bishop Auckland on the August Bank Holiday Monday (26).
September 7 provides Aycliffe’s second ever FA Trophy game away to Ellesmere Port based Vauxhall Motors.
Like last season, Aycliffe play Dunston away on Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day brings a home game against Bishop Auckland.
Aycliffe make their first ever visits to Emley AFC on January 4, Bradford (Park Avenue) on March 15, and Sherwood Colliery on April 19 respectively.
There will be a few new faces at Moore Lane for this season with Dean Thexton (pictured above) and Joe Ferguson returning, while Craig Moody and Alex Nelson have also been brought in to strengthen the squad.
Fixture details can change so fans are advised to keep an eye on the club’s website and social media channels for updates.