Northern
League Division 1
The first gap for a while in the hectic
autumn schedule of FA Cup, Trophy & Vase ties gives an opportunity to take
in a top Northern League game in which the clear leaders, North Shields, visit
top half hopefuls, Newton Aycliffe. However the match has significance for
upcoming Vase ties in the third round, the draw for which was a hammer blow to
Northern League hopes of prolonging their run of finalists. In two weeks Newton
Aycliffe play holders Morpeth, and North Shields will entertain League
Champions Shildon; so this could be a pointer to form.
Moore Lane Park is a familiar setting, today
bathed in a low slanting sun. It is cold but still, and the recent rain has
relented leaving the pitch soft but not yet heavy. The normally modest home
crowd is swelled by a decent showing from North Shields whose fans’ travels are
more often than not rewarded with a win.
And the same confidence is displayed by the
visiting players who are soon into their rhythm winning a couple of early
corners. They are a big team and the twin defensive towers of Curtis Coppen and
Kevin Hughes come forward to threaten. Newton Aycliffe defend the corners
unconvincingly, with keeper James Winter (not the tallest) opting to punch but
not getting much distance. Winter is agile however, as is shown when he saves, low
to his right, a header from Shields centre forward Dan Wilson (another big’un).
The North Shields front line is dynamic and
Dean Holmes carries the ball diagonally left to right before offloading, then
overlapping to put in an inviting cross that is volleyed gleefully into the net
from twelve yards by Ryan Carr. It is an early blow for Newton Aycliffe but
they try to hit back straight away. Stuart Banks cuts in from the right and
unleashes a left foot shot that keeper Kyle Hayes opts to punch out rather than
risk a catch. Two corner kicks are won in a flurry that ends with Banks again
shooting from distance, this time narrowly wide.
Shields absorb the pressure and counter
attack dangerously. In one such, Carr survives a close offside call and races
through on the right. His cross, behind the retreating Aycliffe defence is
perfect for Holmes to sidefoot home. Two nil after not yet half an hour bodes
ill for the home team, but they steady the ship and deny further chances for a
while. But as half time approaches Wilson, deceptively quick for his size,
makes room for himself in the box and pulls back a nice cross, creating a
heading chance for Lee Mason, which he squanders by nodding the ball wide.
On forty-five minutes North Shields have
another corner (the first since those opening minutes) and again Aycliffe
struggle to clear, eventually gaining relief courtesy of the half time whistle.
The second half starts as the first did with
a Shields corner punched (not very) clear by Winter. Aycliffe’s tactics,
intended or imposed, seems to be to sit back deep and hit long balls up to
Banks and John Campbell, either for them to turn and run onto or hold up until
reinforcements arrive. Campbell does manufacture a shooting chance with which
he stings the palms of Hayes.
It signals a bit of pressure from Newton
Aycliffe, and when a pass inside the box is blocked by the arm of full back
Marc Lancaster (at that point sat on the ground) the referee awards a penalty.
Campbell steps up and smashes in the spot kick. Minutes later midfielder Alan
Harrison progresses into the box with a mazy run; he is brought to a halt but
left back Scott Howes takes over and rolls a shot that, with agonising
slowness, comes back off the base of the post.
North Shields have been less convincing for
these first twenty minutes of the half, possibly expecting to cruise home, but
are now stung back into action. And they have space to work in as Aycliffe
press for an equaliser. The speedy Holmes is the main threat, having a run on
goal foiled by Winter then setting up substitute Peter Glen-Ravenhill who
shoots wide. Holmes then has a couple of headed chances – one cleared off the
line and another just wide.
As full time approaches most of the action
is down the Aycliffe end, with the home team under pressure from a succession
of free kicks, somehow surviving at least one almighty scramble. So as time
ticks down the odds are less on an equaliser than a third Shields goal. After
an excessive added five minutes time is called and North Shields continue to
lead the way in the Northern league.
They will have to balance their league
ambitions with their Vase run with that upcoming tough tie against Shildon;
Newton Aycliffe, safely mid table, can concentrate fully on dethroning Morpeth
and trying for Wembley.
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