Newton Aycliffe 2, Pontefract Collieries 2
By Ryan Livingston
Newton Aycliffe’s first season in the Northern Premier League East ended in a stalemate as they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Pontefract Collieries to finish the season in seventh place.
The first goal came after some end to end attacking by both sides. Connor Smythe broke free down the wing and looped the ball over James Winter to make it 1-0 for Pontefract after 22 minutes.
The visitors’ next chance came via a corner, resulting in a nasty injury for James Winter who was substituted with centre half Dale Elgie taking over the gloves. The referee showed Pontefract’s Danny Burns a red card for the challenge.
The first half finished 1-0 to Pontefract, with the away side keeping Aycliffe chances to a minimum despite the man advantage of the home side.
Aycliffe had the second half’s first big chance, however, when Liam Jarvie’s curling free kick only narrowly went wide.
Aycliffe kept on with that pressure, and they gained a corner, Jake Petitjean’s head found the ball but just couldn’t get enough power on it.
But Ethan Ord pounced on the opportunity and rocketed the ball into the net at close range to make it 1-1 in the 54th minute.
Aycliffe now seemed to be making the man advantage count, Liam Adamson broke away from the Pontefract backline, and then passed to Cole Kiernan but Kiernan narrowly sent it high.
Kiernan wouldn’t have to worry long about his missed chance however, Liam Adamson once again gifted him the perfect ball, and Kiernan wasted no time in firing the low shot home to make it 2-1 for Aycliffe in the 65th minute.
Pontefract began looking for an equaliser after this, and Elgie put in an admirable performance between the sticks.
Ethan Wood had the next chance for Aycliffe, but his long range shot from out the box just went a bit too high.
Pontefract weren’t to be beaten, though, and Bailey Adamson was tee’d up at very close range, his looping shot almost looked like it had gone out, until it came back down and flew past Elgie to make it 2-2 in the 85th minute.
The game would remain at 2-2, capping off a very impressive first season at Step Four for Brian Atkinson’s men.
