Newton Aycliffe

Expectations were high but a defensive mistake early in the game led to the fist goal scored by Newton Aycliffe. Saltburn struggled to get into the game early on but as the game progressed the team were able to exert pressure of their own and had three good chances to equalise but were unable to do so and were then caught out by a through ball and Newton Aycliffe scored again. Though we were 2-0 down we kept trying and were certainly not being outplayed and did begin to control the game. We were 2-0 down at half time but were certainly still in the hunt. We started the second half well and pressured their defence continually but were still unable to put the ball in the net. We were then caught out by a cross and the Newton Aycliffe player had lots of time to control the ball and slam the ball past our despairing keeper. We never gave up and kept plugging away and were duly rewarded when an excellent through ball was put away by Sam Clark. Within a short time we were well back in the game when a run by Steve Hoggard down the right resulted in a goal when Hoggard himself continued his run into the box and lashed a unstoppable shot past the keeper. It was now 3-2 to the visitors who were now under pressure as Saltburn continued to strive for the deserved equaliser. However our luck wasn't in and a last ditch effort by Hudson agonisingly crept past the post. A very good effort by the team. Very good performances by Graham , Atkinson, and Hoggard were backed up by all the other players, but it was James Cairds very good performance at right back that earned him, the man of the match award.