Newton Aycliffe 1, Ashington 1
By Dave Strickland
Newton Aycliffe drew 1-1 at home to Ashington in a game of poor quality and few clear-cut chances, although the strong wind was a factor throughout the match.
The Newtonians started sluggishly and Ashington took advantage in the fifth minute.
Aycliffe failed to clear a corner and Ashington centre half Buchanan put a looping header into the top corner past Adam Pickford.
Aycliffe had the better of the chances after that. Gez Richardson brought out a good save from Ashington keeper Grant, and Marc Costello had a good header blocked, meaning that the visitors went in at half time a goal to the good.
Aycliffe had the wind in their favour in the second half and they had the better of the play, but struggled to convert this into goals.
Shaun Hudson and Kurt Matthews blazed good chances over the bar. An Aaron Brown header was cleared off the line, and then had another cleared with the goalie beaten.
Substitute Ben Wood came to the rescue five minutes after coming on. A free kick was flicked on, and Wood turned sharply to volley the ball home.
Man-of-the Alan Harrison was tidy in his play at full back, and prompted many attacks down the right.
Aycliffe pressed for a winner in the last ten minutes, but couldn’t make the breakthrough.
Their next game is at home to Hebburn on Saturday (3pm).
