Match Preview

Newton Aycliffe (H) – Tuesday 21st November 2023

The Opposition
Newton Aycliffe are playing at Step 4 for the first time, having won promotion from the Northern League as Champions in 2022/23.

The Newtonians are based in County Durham – 129 miles separates them from the Raygar Stadium.

They have struggled to gain momentum this season, starting with conceding 9 goals in their first 2 league fixtures.
They got off the mark at home to Grimsby Borough but further setbacks against Stockton and Grantham followed.
Their FA Trophy campaign was then ended at the first hurdle by Stocksbridge - Guisborough Town had snuffed out their FA Cup hopes in the Extra Preliminary Round.
They are without a win in the league since early October and are the lowest scorers in the league with 14 goals to their name.

Sitting in 18th place, their overall record reads P 13 W 4 D 1 L 8 F 14 A 28 Pts. 13.
Away from home they are yet to pick up a point.

Manager Brian Atkinson took over the reins in November 2021 and Liam Adamson & Jake Petitjean lead the scoring charts for this season with 4 goals each.

The Nailers
The less said about Belper coming in to this match, the better.
Missing key players Kev Bastos and Curtis Burrows, the Nailers went down 7-1 at Stockton a few days ago.
Belper have only gone more than one game without a win this season on one occasion and will be hoping to bounce back on home turf.
Despite the defeat, the Nailers 3rd in the league with a record of P 14 W 9 D 1 L 4 F 32 A 22 Pts. 28
Only 12 points have come at home, with four victories but two defeats checking progress slightly.
Kevin Bastos leads the way with 13 goals, with Cam Johnson and defender Phil Watt contributing 6 each. Rev James has 5.
Two further home games follow this evening, Hebburn Town and Ossett United.

Head to Head
This is a first meeting between the sides.
The return fixture from today is scheduled for Saturday, 27th January 2024.

Form Guide (League)
Belper Town – (14 Oct) WLDWWL (18 Nov)
Newton Aycliffe – (26 Sep) WLWLLD (11 Nov)

Team News
Kev Bastos has served his one match ban and is available for selection.

Permutations
Carlton entertain Stockton this evening which is a good fixture for Belper, with one just behind us and one just ahead of us.
If Belper win and Stockton don't, the Nailers will return to the top of the table.
Anything less than a win won't be good enough for Belper in this regard.
They cannot drop down the table whatever happens.
For the visitors, victory could lift them as high as 13th but that would require a big win.
If they lose and Sheffield defeat Ashington, the Newtonians will drop in to the relegation zone.
A draw will be enough to keep them above the line.

Match details
Belper Town vs. Newton Aycliffe
Northern Premier League Division One - East Division
Tuesday, 21st November 2023 – 7:45pm kick off
The Raygar Stadium
Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1BA
Tickets: Adults £11, Concessions £7, U11s (with paying adult) Free

Follow the match
Live commentary is available with Tom on Radio Belper Town - https://radiobelpertown.mixlr.com
Full coverage on X / Twitter. Team news, HT & FT scores on Facebook.
Match reports to follow on the website and in the Non-League Paper.

Elsewhere in Division One East
(7th) Carlton Town vs. Stockton Town (1st)
(15th) Ossett United vs. Brighouse Town (13th)
(20th) Sheffield FC vs. Ashington AFC (9th)