The Lang Jacks share the points against Aycliffe to claim their highest league finish

Whickham finished their season with a point after being held to a goalless draw against Newton Aycliffe at The Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.

A win for the visitors would have seen them leapfrog the hosts in the league table in their final match of the season.

The home team had the best chance of the game but two brilliant saves by James Anderson and a goal-line clearance from Kaleb Young denied Aycliffe what looked like a certain goal. 

Whickham looked the more threatening of the two teams in the game’s opening stages.

Nathan Greenwood caused the Aycliffe defence problems every time he picked up the ball.  

Greenwood’s first opportunity came after eight minutes, the speedy wideman advanced past his man before the Aycliffe defence cleared his cross with Scott Robson lurking at the back post for what would have been an easy tap in.

Scott Robson was next to test Adam Pickford in the Aycliffe goal. Greenwood again skilfully took his man on before sliding Robson through on goal, his effort curled wide of Pickford’s near post.

Whickham continued to push for the opening goal, Greenwood’s whipped cross was flicked on by Scott Robson but Jamie Dunn’s header from 12 yards out was easily gathered by Pickford. 

Greenwood enjoyed a lot of the ball in the first half, the winger again picked up the ball just inside the host’s half before taking on two Aycliffe players, but his effort sailed over Pickford’s crossbar.

The second half started similar to the first half with the away team looking the more likely of the two teams to break the deadlock. 

Scott Robson was played through by Jamie Dunn just three minutes into the second half, his effort rolled wide of Pickford’s goal. 

Robson returned the favour 10 minutes later when he found Dunn inside the Aycliffe box but the defender’s effort was too tame to cause Pickford any problems. 

Dale Burrell was next to try his look, the defender picked up the ball inside the centre circle before going on a mazy run and skipping past four Aycliffe players before dragging his shot just wide of Pickford’s far post. 

Aycliffe almost took the lead against the run of play when their striker Ardelean cut inside from the right before sending his effort wide of James Anderson’s far post. 

The biggest chance of the match fell to the home team on 62 minutes.

James Anderson was quick off his line to pull off two brilliant quickfire saves to deny Aycliffe.

The home team sent the loose ball goal-bound after a scramble in the box to clear the ball but Young was on the line to head clear and keep the scores level. 

Young had a chance at the other end on 72 minutes, the midfielder’s curling effort from just outside the Aycliffe box cleared Pickford’s crossbar. 

The final 15 minutes finished with little action as both teams cancelled each other out in the middle of the park. 

The match finished a draw with both teams leaving the field with a point a piece. 

The point give the visitors their highest Ebac Northern League Division One finish claiming seventh spot in the league table. 

Whickham Team: Anderson, Below (Howard 70’), Agnew, Burrell, Elliott, Moody, Dunn (Jasper 76’), Peareth © (Bisset 80’), Young, Greenwood, Scott Robson.

Subs not used: Galbraith, Priest. 

Man of the Match: Callum Elliott.