By Bob Wood
Newton Aycliffe climbed up to fifth in the Northern League first division with a win over Whitley Bay at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.
In a game in which Aycliffe dominated possession for the majority they found themselves a goal behind having created plenty of chances without having the final touch in front of goal.
Whitley Bay defended in numbers as Aycliffe played flowing football in the first half without troubling their goalkeeper as much as they could have done.
At the start of the second half Aycliffe took their time to find their stride again.
Although they were having the possession the home side found themselves a goal behind after a long ball from the Whitley Bay defence ended up in Aycliffe’s net seconds after they were looking likely to get the ball in the visitors’ box.
But as it’s been this season, going a goal behind appears to encourage Col Stromsoy’s side to step up a gear and after some changes in personnel Aycliffe looked a more attacking threat.
A ball whipped in from the right wasn’t cleared and it landed at the feet of substitute Sam Read who controlled it before smashing it home to draw level.
While the visitors had a couple of chances in the second half which drew saves from Adam Pickford Aycliffe continued to apply the pressure and three minutes into the five added on they got the breakthrough they deserved.
Dean Thexton broke inside the area but was brought down in an inexplicable challenge which gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
The top scorer picked himself up to take the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to bag all three points and to lift Aycliffe into fifth in the league.
Aycliffe’s next match is n Tuesday night (October 1), when Sunderland Ryhope Colliery Welfare will be the visitors to the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium in what will be the first of nine fixtures during October. Aycliffe then visit league leaders Hebburn on Saturday (October 5).
Meanwhile, two games have been added to the fixture list. Aycliffe travel to Brandon in the Durham Challenge Cup on Wednesday October 23, while the postponed League Cup game against Northallerton Town will now be played on Tuesday, October 29.
