Coals to Durham

With their travelling fans shouting “come on Coals” Atherton Collieries FC took on Newton Aycliffe in their long delayed FA Vase third round tie, originally scheduled for 12 December but repeatedly postponed due to the home team’s waterlogged pitch, hence the move of the game to the plastic pitch at New Ferens Park in Durham; both teams struggled with the unfamiliar surface but it was a spirited game, tight and tense, and though Atherton brought Coals to Durham they brought no goals whereas Newton Aycliffe did, just the one, but enough to see them through to the next round.