This result emphasises what I said on the day that Anthony and myself took over and every single member of the squad deserves praise for it.
This was a big test for us and we came through it with a lot of praise from others at the game apart from people associated with the club. However we are still very much "work in progress" and we will get better with the sort of commitment and determination shown here being shown in every game to come.
The game itself was a pulsating event with both teams playing it in a very sporting way. We started with a 3-5-2 but it quickly became evident that this had to be changed gained a foothold in the game after 15 minutes or so. Michael Fraser, who was very impressive alongside Iain Race at the heart of the defence maybe should have done better with a header from a Graham Embleton corner on 20 minutes but headed over. The game went from end to end but the breakthrough came when John Harrison placed a superb effort into the top corner after 26 minutes giving the Aycliffe keeper no chance at all. We made a change on the half hour mark to try and get the balance correct in midfield with Gary Draper replacing Andrew Solan a for his first appearance of the season and it worked a treat. The lead was doubled when Anthony Ward scored with an overhead kick from 15 yards again giving the keeper no chance at all.
We thoroughly deserved the lead at half time and Andrew Collinson came on for Jack Brennan to give us some extra control and again that made a marked difference in the second half we defended the Aycliffe long ball tactics very well with everyone putting their bodies on the line. Chances were missed by Ward and Greg Coates and in reality we could and should have been further in front.
Aycliffe managed to pull a goal back from a deflection in the last minute of stoppage time but we gained a very creditable win and go on to Round 4.
Everyone who played did a magnificent job but Rob Draper stood out above everyone else on the field.
Well done guys but that has gone now forward to next week and another tough test against Houghton at home.
