FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round 17 August 2013

DARLINGTON RAILWAY ATHLETIC v NEWTON AYCLIFFE

For the third consecutive season the FA cup run starts with Newton Aycliffe, but not at Moore Lane Park this year. Instead we are at Brinkburn Road, home of Darlington Railway Athletic. It could be third time lucky for Aycliffe after crashing out at this earliest of rounds in their first two campaigns. Although they are playing away they are in the Northern League Division 1, and top after two wins from two games; RA are in Division two, and bottom having lost their two opening games.

The clubs are near neighbours; I come via Newton Aycliffe and it takes only 12 minutes from there to get to Brinkburn Road; parking is easy and entry only £2 for an ‘owd geezer’ (£4 for normal folk). Arriving early enables the £1 programme and posted team sheet to be perused at leisure while taking in the surroundings in this, my first, visit.

The ground is open with small covered areas behind each end, one seated and one not. The cricket pitch is adjacent with a game in desultory progress – the day is cool, cloudy and threatening intermittent blustery showers, for once the extra preliminary round day is more suited to football than cricket. The programme is basic and from its content and layout it is clear the club relies heavily on a few dedicated but overstretched individuals.

On the pitch the teams are out and going through the obligatory line up and handshakes in front of an attendance (falling well short of a crowd) of about 100. RA are in all red and Aycliffe in all blue.

The first twenty minutes are fairly scrappy with both teams coming to terms with the grassy but bumpy pitch and the blustery wind, favouring RA in this half. Eventually Aycliffe gain territorial advantage and are able to get a couple of warning shots in. Midfielder Selby’s effort is deflected onto the bar and then Owens weaves his way into the box before smacking a left footer against the outside of the near post.

RA continue to live dangerously and ten minutes before the break Muir handles on the edge of his penalty area. With the free kick in the middle of the D, the RA keeper Calvert tries to line up a wall, but ineffectively as Owens’ side-foot bypasses it into the corner of the net.

Aycliffe look more comfortable having broken through and continue to press. Just ahead of half time, their centre forward Earl is sharpest to a bouncing ball in the RA box and cleverly lifts it over Calvert, off his line, into the goal to establish 2-0 lead at halftime.

Newton Aycliffe’s Division 1 quality has started to tell, with twin strikers Owens and Earl able to hold the ball up and bring in teammates to build attacks. RA are pinning their hopes on longer balls – into the channels for the willing Allison and England to chase down, and well placed diagonal crosses from attacking full backs Ramsbottom and Farrington. That may work better into wind after the break.

Two minutes into the second period RA keeper Calvert clears a through ball from the edge of his box. His Aycliffe counterpart, Molyneaux, meets it well outside his own box and returns it with interest (and the wind). One bounce and the ball is up and over the despairing, rather flat-footed grasp of Calvert who turns to see it roll into the empty net. It’s a body blow to go 0-3 down so soon after the half time pep talk and RA visibly wilt. Ten minutes later its 0-4 as Salvin scores with a glancing header from a right wing cross after RA fail to clear a corner.

Aycliffe reckon its game over and bring on three substitutes at once; RA also make a couple of changes, including the feisty Abel, whose immediate scuffle with an opponent could have led to a short-lived cameo with a less tolerant referee.

The changes make little difference. Aycliffe’s next goal is well worked with Owens doing an impression of a nippy left winger, skipping past a couple of uncommitted defenders, before crossing from the by-line for substitute Mellanby to tap in.

With 15 minutes still to go it could get worse but a long back pass from Aycliffe’s Selby turns out to be the best through ball of the day, enabling centre forward Allison to close in on goal and fire in a fine shot from the edge of the box. The goal gives RA some heart and as the rain begins to fall in earnest the spectators gravitate to the covered seating, giving them the best view of the closing action as RA finish with a flurry of corners. Only a finger-tip save from Molyneaux keeps them out, crowning a memorable day for the unlikely goalscorer.

Newton Aycliffe will have a tougher game in the next round but will be pleased to have their first ever FA Cup win, a handsome 5-1. Darlington Railway Athletic will count the gate money and continue trying to build up the club.