Sensational Jarrow Roofing thump Newton Aycliffe

With Aycliffe gunning for the top of the table and Roofing requiring the points to open a cushion over the clubs in the relegation zone, the game started with both teams feeling each other out on a heavy pitch.

The South Tynesiders should have taken the lead after nine minutes when presented with the first chance of the game.

Fairley stood a high cross up at the back post where Paul Chow could only nod the ball down inches the wrong side of the post from two yards out.

Aycliffe tried to push men on into attack and John Campbell – on loan from Roofing – saw a 35-yard shot comfortably saved by Regan soon after, the only time he was tested all game.

They opening goal came just after the half hour. Michael Coghlan’s left-sided corner was headed clear to the magnificent Vipond, lurking just outside of the penalty area, and his low shot beat Lewis Brass.

With Paxton and Liam Atkin starting only their second game together, the two experienced defenders were snuffing out Aycliffe’s long balls forward, and the two joined up to add Roofing’s second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Coghlan delivered a pinpoint corner from the right and Atkin met it with a bullet of a header. Brass pulled off a magnificent save, but could then only watch on helplessly as the ball dropped to Paxton six-yards out who spun and rifled high into the roof of the goal.

The best goals were still to come, though. Roofing were playing with confidence rarely seen this season, typified by Fairley’s strike on the hour mark.

The ball was zipped infield to Kerry Hedley, standing in a central position 25 yards from goal. Hedley’s deft, first-time backheel eliminated three defenders and allowed Fairley to take the ball in his path before casually finishing low past Brass.

The rout was completed on 79 minutes when Barnes broke clear down the left and slipped the ball inside to Patton who took a touch before zipping his shot past Brass from outside the box, with the ball pinging off the underside of the crossbar before dropping beyond the goalline.