By Martin Walker
Allan Oliver says Newton Aycliffe’s win over Darlington last Saturday was probably the best in the club’s history.
Two first-half goals by Danny Earl was enough to give the Newtonians victory, with Scott Pocklington saving an 88th-minute penalty in late drama at Moore Lane Park.
For Darlo, it was the worst possible result, with disgruntled Quakers fans leaving MLP bitterly cold, and bitterly disappointed.
But for Aycliffe, it represented a truly historic result – and sparked much-deserved post-match celebrations in the dressing room after what has been a difficult campaign for Aycliffe up to now.
“It’s probably the best result in the time I’ve been here,” said Oliver.
“We didn’t expect that. For me, it’s an historic result for the town to beat Darlington.
“I think Darlington were treated dreadfully, being demoted four divisions, but they knew at the start of the season how tough this league is and I still think Martin (Gray) and Brian (Atkinson) will get them promoted.”
It was Darlo’s fourth league defeat of the season after previously losing at West Auckland, Team Northumbria and Guisborough Town.
Aycliffed climbed to fifth-bottom, and now face two even more important games in the next few days – back-to-back clashes with relegation rivals Penrith, away this Saturday followed by a home game next Wednesday.
They then face bottom club South Shields next Saturday – three wins would put even more space between Aycliffe and the dropzone, and would come as a welcome early Christmas present for the Newtonians.
Click here to see the up-to-date Ebac Northern League Division One table.
