Northern League

Saturday, 16 September 2006

Sunderland RCA forward Willie Crew controls the ball in the Team Northumbria penalty area prior to scoring our goal and, below, watches as his shot beats the Team Northumbria goalkeeper.

Sunderland RCA slumped to another Arngrove Northern League defeat, with a very disappointing display at League new boys Team Northumbria. Two bad mistakes early in the game gifted the students a lead, and had not Niki Lawson saved a penalty things could have looked even worse before the break. The second half was better as Willie Crew continued his excellent goal scoring run with a goal mid way through the half. That was all RCA could manage however, and we find ourselves in a parlous league position after the first 6 weeks of the season. Improvement will be needed as cup ties over the next couple of games give us some respite from league battles.

FA Vase

Saturday, 23 September 2006

Saturday's Vase trip to Hall Road Rangers near Hull saw RCA go into the game with a five man midfield supporting Willie Crew as lone striker.

The game started with RCA seeing lots of the ball, and it was soon clear that Hall Road were, as we had heard, a very direct side. The pitch wasn't great but the weather was fine, and RCA made a good start. Willie Crew had what looked like a very good penalty appeal turned down inside the first five minutes, before bad luck with early knocks saw both Barry Massey and Simon Andrews needing to be replaced within the first 20 minutes.

At half time the 0-0 score line was probably fair and RCA were right in the match. Early Hall Road pressure was weathered in the second half before a super Karl Jarvis strike on 72 minutes gave RCA the lead. The RCA defence held out comfortably enough as Hall Road pressed before disaster struck in the 86th minute as their winger was allowed to get his cross in from the bye line for the Rangers to equalise with a close range header. Worse was to come as a stray ball across the box took a wicked bounce to beat keeper Nick Lawson, who had an excellent match, to allow Hall Road to snatch the tie deep in injury time. another odd goal defeat for Sunderland RCA.

Durham County Challenge Cup

Wednesday, 27 September 2006 Seven-goal Durham County Challenge Cup thriller!

Sunderland RCA forward Willie Crew lobs the ball over the advancing Shildon keeper to make it 4 - 3 and a win for RCA in last night's Durham County Challenge Cup tie.

Sunderland RCA came out on top in a seven-goal Durham County Challenge cup-tie at high-flying Arngrove Northern League side Shildon last night. RCA midfielder Karl Jarvis opened the scoring after five minutes with a terrific shot from 30 yards. Shildon then settled their nerves, equalising through a penalty and then taking the lead. RCA’s John Butler headed an equaliser to make the match even at half time.

A Sunderland RCA attack in the first half of the match

The second half saw the penalty count evened up, with Willie Crew equalising from the spot and taking us into a 3 - 2 lead. Shildon made it 3 - 3 with a blasting shot which gave RCA keeper Niki Lawson no chance. As the match headed into the last ten minutes Shildon piled on the pressure. They failed, though, to clear deep in their own half, despite three attempts, and the ball fell to RCA forward Willie Crew who skillfully lobbed the advancing Shildon keeper from 25 yards to make it 4 – 3 and a terrific cup win for the Sunderland RCA lads.

Northern League

Saturday, 30 September 2006

RCA fought hard against a powerful Spennymoor team, who led from the 25th minute as they attacked down the notorious Spennymoor slope. A 1-0 deficit at half time probably would have been acceptable, but a scorching 25 yarder a minute before the break gave RCA a mountain to climb in the second period. With the advantage of the slope in the second half RCA had long periods of dominance, but could not find the net, before a breakaway ten minutes from time sealed the Moors victory. RCA now have a ten day break to organise themselves for a vital home clash against Esh Winning.