Newton Aycliffe 2, Liversedge 0
By Ryan Livingston
Newton Aycliffe defeated Liversedge in this mid-table clash in the NPL East.
The result will feel like much needed revenge for Aycliffe considering the 5-0 defeat at Liversedge earlier in the season.
Aycliffe’s first goal was well worked when Liam Adamson crossed to Ryan Barrow who ran from the bottom of his own half and his low cross allowed Cole Kiernan to easily tap it in to make it 1-0 in just nine minutes.
Cole Kiernan was unlucky not to score with a curling volley shortly after the goal. His shot went narrowly over the bar.
Chances kept coming for Aycliffe. Cieran Jackson hit a powerful strike just inside the box that forced Liversedge goalkeeper Jordan Porter into parrying out for a corner.
Aycliffe won a free-kick just outside the box, but the resulting kick went well wide. Liversedge’s new signing Eddie Church fired a long-range shot, but Nathan Fisher didn’t even need to move to save it.
Aycliffe saw out the half deserved 1-0 leaders against a Liversedge side who hadn’t shown much for the home side to worry about.
The second half was a niggly affair, with Liversedge resorting to some very agricultural tackles to try and keep Aycliffe at bay.
Liversedge gained some free-kicks of their own, but Fisher was resolute in making sure Aycliffe’s lead remained intact.
Aycliffe had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 when Ethan Wood passed to Kiernan, but instead of finishing Kiernan, unselfishly passed to Wayne Whitfield who fired his shot straight into Liversedge’s Joe Skarz.
Liversedge’s defenders appeared sluggish throughout the game and Cieran Jackson took advantage of that in the 71st minute.
He found the ball after a free-kick and danced past two Liversedge defenders and the goalkeeper to let the ball gently roll into the net to make it 2-0.
The game would finish a 2-0 victory and make it yet another home win for Aycliffe. They now haven’t lost at home since late October.
The Newtonians also jumped up one place to finish the day in eighth and are now just two spots and four points outside the play-offs.
Aycliffe’s next fixture at the Securicorp Stadium is on Tuesday, January 23, when Horden CW will be the visitors for a Frank Pattison Durham Challenge Cup Quarter Final. The winner of that tie will travel to Whickham for the Semi Final.
