Crook Town 0, Newton Aycliffe 2
By Paul McGeary
Newton Aycliffe bounced back from their weekend defeat to take all three points at their happy hunting Millfield Ground, home of rivals Crook Town.
The Newtonians side were defending a proud unbeaten record against the Ambers, and boss Adie Webster (pictured above) saw his side stretch that boast to nine games with a hard-fought 2-0 victory.
An early goal from returning forward Tom Atkinson was added to late in the game by youngster Connor Lowes to seal the points, in a game which could have yielded many goals for either side.
Crook should have led in the opening exchanges but Weekes fired over before a superb through ball from Tom Hinchley was expertly despatched by Atkinson in a frantic opening six minutes.
Atkinson spurned a chance minutes later and Bruno Pilatos followed suit for the hosts on the quarter hour mark. Atkinson, Craig Mickle and Scott Oldfield missed chances for Aycliffe while Ian Maddison should have done better with a header on the stroke of half time.
The second half was much the same as Mickle and Lewis Wing wasted chances for the Newtonians whilst Jason Brazaukas should have levelled for Paul Bennett’s men.
Webster made three changes as the game drew on and two of those linked together to cap the scoring for Aycliffe and send them back down the A68 with the three points.
Paul Broom sent Wing clear and he squared the ball for Lowes to fire his first goal for the Royal Blues since his summer switch from West Auckland.
Wing and Lowes went close in the dying embers of the game while Jake Johnson was twice called into action in the visiting goal but Aycliffe stood firm and recorded their first clean sheet and three points of the campaign.
Crook Town 0-2 Newton Aycliffe
Atkinson 7, Lowes 75.
Johnson; Oliver, Oldfield, Hinchley, Clough; Webster (Upton), Owen; Morris (Broom), Mickle (Lowes), Wing; Atkinson
Subs Not Used; Butterworth, Langthorne
