Ray Simpson`s Northern League Review...

Newton Aycliffe finally picked up their first points of the Ebac Northern League First Division season with a 1-0....

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Published 9th September 2012

David Dowson

....home win over Marske United on Saturday.

Aycliffe had gone six matches without a league win, but they produced a much better performance than of late to lift them out of the bottom two.

They also gave a return home debut to striker Danny Mellanby, who has returned to the club from Darlington 1883, but it was Paul Broom who was the day’s hero, scoring the winner from a Fred Woodhouse cross. It could have been more, but Martin Young missed a late penalty.

Manager Allan Oliver said: “We must remember that we’re still in the mire. I would have taken that result on the morning of the game, because of what’s happened to us this season.

“I thought we created plenty of chances, and it was a much better performance than in recent weeks. Another goal would have relieved some of the tension. “

Darlington went back to the top of the table with a 5-0 home win over Consett, Amar Purewal scoring what is thought to be the club's fastest ever goal after 15 seconds.

Dave Dowson went on to bag a brace, with Chris Emms and Shaun Reay adding the others.

Darlington manager Martin Gray said: "That was the most complete performance in 90 minutes this season, we've only done it in patches so far."

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe said: “It was a poor performance. We’re misfiring at one end and giving goals away easily at the other. It’s a recipe for disaster. Eight players missing, but I’m more concerned about the lack of workrate and desire. There will be changes.”

Norton & Stockton Ancients also won their first league game under former Middlesbrough player Andy Campbell with a 4-3 away win at Sunderland RCA.

Andy Appleby put the RCA into the lead early in the game, but Norton’s Anthony Hume quickly levelled. New signing from Aycliffe, Gavin Barton, put the RCA in front, but Norton stormed back with two goals by Liam Woodhouse.

The goals continued to flow, and by half time Barton made it 3-3. The second half was less frenetic, but it was Norton who scored the winner with a powerful drive by Mark Lilley.

Campbell said: “We scored four really good goals. Both teams seemed to gift goals in the first half, but in the second half it was more of a tighter game and one goal was going to win it, and thankfully it went to us. Nice to get our first win. I’m pleased for the lads because they’ve put in so much hard work.”

Hebburn are up to seventh after a 2-1 away win at Penrith.

Martyn Coleman fired Penrith into the lead after 26 minutes, but Hebburn levelled through Tony Stephenson. They got the winner when Paul Wardle volleyed home first time from the edge of the area.

Hebburn manager Paul Bennett said: “It was a much-deserved victory. We had 90 per cent of the play, and Delta scored a belter!”

Guisborough Town won their third game inside a week when they beat Newcastle Benfield 1-0 at the King George.

Austin Johnston scored the only goal of the game after 35 minutes, when he picked up a through ball by Luke Bythway and slotted past Benfield keeper Andy Grainger.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: “This was a game that I thought we controlled from start to finish and ran out worthy winners. The game for me was more pleasing than the Darlington victory midweek given the fact it would have been easy for our lads to show complacency after the eventful evening the other night, but again we showed a willingness to work for one another and a real good attitude to what was asked of the lads.”

Newcastle Benfield manager Perry Briggs said: “It was a disappointing result, because apart from three or four players, we didn’t really reach the same standards that we’ve set recently.”

Billingham Synthonia won their second game of the season by beating Whitley Bay 2-1 at Central Avenue.

Whitley took the lead on 12 minutes when Lee Paul Scroggins pounced on a rebound off the post, but Synners levelled on 30 minutes through Chay Liddle from a Matty Crossen pass. Craig Gott converted a late penalty to give Synners the points.

Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler said: “It was a terrible display compared to last week against Bedlington. We were horrific, changes may be needed and the squad know this!”

Billingham Town dropped into the bottom two because of their 3-0 away defeat at Team Northumbria.

The home side took the lead on 43 minutes with a header by Tom Davies, then on 56 minutes Scott Fenwick dribbled into the box and beat keeper Ryan Hodgson for the second.

Town defender Jamie Middleton put a left wing cross into his own net for the third midway through the second half.

TN manager Paul Johnson said: “We defended better as a team which gave us a better platform to attack from. In the first half alone we had ten chances on goal, but what was more pleasing was that we didn’t concede which meant we continued to be more positive when attacking. After two poor performances by our standards it’s good to get a win.”

Billingham Town manager Carl Jarrett said: “We played a very well organised team. They passed the ball around for fun and we couldn’t get close to them. When we did, we gave the ball away too easily. We have to start again on Tuesday and get our first points of the season.”

[Source: Ray Simpson]