Newton Aycliffe 0, Marske United 2
By Paul McGeary
Allan Oliver was back in the home dugout but unfortunately it was a familiar story as Aycliffe were once again defeated – their seventh in nine games – on a lively Wednesday evening at the AuxAudio.co.uk Stadium.
Marske, sitting fourth in the table with games in hand came out of the blocks, and bossed the first half but had just one goal to show for their dominance, a scrappy effort on the stroke of half time.
Aycliffe improved after the break, but a moment of madness saw Richard Langthorne dismissed, and Marske wrapped the game up in the final quarter.
Ex-Newtonian pair Fred Woodhouse and Jamie Owens both tested ‘keeper Will Jones early on, while Josh McDonald and Craig Gott went close for the Seasiders.
Zak Boagey headed off the home goal-line before Rhys Kelly spurned a great chance as half time loomed. Tom Atkinson blazed over for the Blues while Paul Broom should have done better with a headed effort which went wide.
The opening goal came in controversial fashion, as Darren Hollingsworth nodded a corner goalwards, and following a scramble on the line, the officials deemed the ball to be over despite the home protests.
Aycliffe were better in the second half, with Boagey, Broom and Tom Hinchley all fashioning half chances but the game turned on the hour mark when Langthorne – returning after suspension – was shown a straight red for violent conduct.
In the brawl which ensued, Woodhouse was also red-carded to even up the numbers, and the referee went card happy, booking everything in sight in the next five minutes.
On 75 minutes Marske sealed the points when Kelly disposed James Oliver and cut inside before firing past Jones to preserve the visitors’ unbeaten record and climb them back into the top three in the table.
Aycliffe: Jones, Oliver, Oldfield, M.Young, Langthorne, Oldfield; Upton, Broom, Owen, Hinchley; Boagey, Atkinson (Lowes)
Unused: Farley (GK), Butterworth, Clough, Storey.
Attendance: 144.
Aycliffe are away to Celtic Nation this Saturday (3pm).
