Moors began pre-season with a comfortable victory over Newton Aycliffe as they took to the field for the first time since December 28 2020.

The game also marked the return of supporters as a healthy crowd witnessed an entertaining encounter in glorious conditions at the Beaumont Landscapes Stadium.

Tommy Miller, taking charge of his first fixture since being appointed permanent manager, rotated his squad as preparations began ahead of the National League North start date on Saturday 14th August.

A cagey opening period saw few chances, with the bombarding runs of new full-back John Lufudu the stand out, however, the contest opened up ten minutes before the break when Frank Mulhern fouled an Aycliffe man inside the area.

Sonni Coleman fired past a Trialist goalkeeper to provide Moors with a welcome test, but, Aycliffe’s lead was short lived.

Mulhern, who gave away the spot kick, soon hit a quickfire double, first firing through a sea of bodies from close range, before his long range effort deflected over a scrambling Trialist goalkeeper.

The impressive Lufudu had a golden chance to take the game away from Aycliffe before the interval, but he could only prod his shot wide of the post. 

Miller rang the changes at the break, with Glen Taylor, Rob Ramshaw, Jason Kennedy, Brad Abbott and James Curtis entering the action.

The constant flow of substitutes disrupted the flow of the game as chances dried up, and it wasn’t until Taylor rattled the bar with a thunderous header fifteen minutes from time did the game burst back into life.

There was a significant moment on the hour mark when Jamie Chandler returned to the field for the first time since February 2020 following a long recovery from an ACL injury.

Taylor had the final say four minutes from time when he expertly finished off a neat passing exchange with Ramshaw to seal a victory before the visit of Sunderland on Saturday.