By Bob Wood
Newton Aycliffe FC’s second pre-season fixture saw them come out with their first win having finished on the end of a 1-3 defeat, albeit in respectable fashion, against Vanarama National League North side Spennymoor Town prior.
It was the Wearside League visitors who took the lead early on when the referee’s assistant flagged for a free kick wide on the right for what looked like a strong but fair challenge.
The resulting ball into the box saw us sitting too deep and allowed former Newton Aycliffe man Ryan Coles to jump highest and head past Adam Pickford, who was making his first appearance since suffering a serious injury some 8 months ago against Consett.
Aycliffe quickly got back into the game as Joe Ferguson, continuing his good run of form since joining, was brought down as he broke through the Town defence and made room for himself just inside the area.
With Sonni Coleman, successful from the spot on Monday night, on the bench penalty duty fell to Jake Petitjean, captain for the day in the absence of Aaron Brown, and he made no mistake firing high past the keeper to draw level.
Having pulled themselves level Aycliffe took the game to Darlington Town and took the lead before half time as a cross from the right only made it as far as a Town defender who failed to clear the ball and, Chris Brass style (search it on YouTube) deflected it off himself with the ball falling to Sado who turned it home, sending the home side in at the break a goal to the good.
Half time saw Aycliffe only change goalkeepers but some early second half substitutions shuffled the forward line and Aycliffe instantly applied the pressure.
Despite having the majority of the possession in the early part of the second period it took until the 72nd minute before the Newtonians put clear daylight between themselves and their visitors.
Following a spell of pressure a ball in from the right went deep into the box and was met by Jake Petitjean whose looping header went over Charlton in the Town goal to make the score 3-1.
Barring a heavy challenge on ex Darlington Town forward Liam Jarvie, which went unpunished, the remainder of the game went without incident.
With no added time the game finished 3-1 in what was a competitive friendly.
Next up for Aycliffe is a trip to Abbey Hey of the North West Counties League. That will be followed by another visit by a team from a higher league.
South Shields will be the opponents at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium on Tuesday, July 13 (kick-off 7.30pm). Admission is £7 adult, £5 concessions.
