Thomas Hunter in action during the second half of the match.
We welcomed Penrith to the Sunderland LGV Stadium for this EBAC Northern League fixture.
RCA have started the new year quiet well picking up four points from their two games played, while Penrith have lost their two matches so far this year.
After today’s match we embark on a run of five away matches in February with our next home match planned for February 25th.
The management team made three changes to the starting eleven which took all three points against Carlisle City. Fryatt (off to Thailand, lucky man), Jakab (Injured) and Lawrence were replaced by Annang-Colquhoun, loanee Max Booth, making his debut, and Lavery. The club also welcomed back Craig Hodgson who took his place on the bench alongside the returning Daryll Hall.
The teams lined up as follows:
Sunderland RCA: Marrs, Allen, Charlton ©, Booth, Nelson, Morris, Trewick, Moan, Davison, Annang-Colquhoun, Lavery. Subs: Hodgson, Lawrence, Hunter, Hall, Richardson.
Penrith: Taylor, Brown, Coombe, Murray-Jones, Crews, Moynan, Ward, Main ©, Murray, Hunter, Hebson. Subs: Tait, Delaney, Morrison, Best, Taylor.
The game started in bright sunshine which was causing a few problems with the sun so low in the sky making it difficult for the home side facing it.
However it was RCA who looked that little bit sharper in the opening exchanges, with some good build up play but the final ball was lacking the quality required to break down the Penrith defence.
RCA’s first opportunity fell to Morris, an exquisite through ball from Nelson into space on the edge of the box sent the winger clear but he could only stab his effort straight at Taylor in the Penrith goal.
The visitors had their first chance of the game when a poor clearance fell to Moynan who played the ball quickly forward to Murray who forced a great save from Marrs only for the Assistant's flag to be raised for offside.
A freekick on the right was taken by Nelson and swung into the box where Davison rose to head toward goal but Taylor was again well positioned to make an easy save.
Whether it was the sticky ground or just bad contact on the ball another poor clearance by the RCA defence gave another chance to the opposition, Moynan again picking up the loose ball and playing it first time to Hunter who hit a low shot just wide of the target.
The visitors best chance came in the 25th minute when a freekick on the left was played into the penalty area by Coombe, Crews rose well above everyone else but his powerful header sailed just wide of the far post.
Penrith were putting a lot of pressure on the RCA goal as they pressed forward down the slope, Moynan was picking up everything in the centre of midfield and his decisive forward passes were causing the home team problems. A lovely through ball by the Penrith captain set Ward free inside the area and Marrs had to be at his brilliant best to palm the low drive round the post.
The game became sluggish with little creativity but a lot of endeavour from both teams. Goalmouth action was at a premium.
RCA had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 36th minute when Moan cleared the ball up field it looked fairly comfortable for the Penrith defender to head back to the keeper but Morris anticipating a poor header pounced on the back pass but with only the keeper to beat he smashed his shot straight at the legs of Taylor and the ball rebounded to safety.
Penrith immediately went on the attack through Hebson on the left, his pass inside found Murray-Jones whose shot was blocked by Nelson and the Penrith winger blasted the rebound high over the bar.
The visitors started the second half brightly taking the game to the hosts, a quick break on the right by Brown opened up the RCA defence for Hebson who took Brown’s pass in his stride before firing in a strong shot which Marrs had to parry away.
A minute later and a throw in on the right was played toward Hebson who swiveled inside the penalty area hitting a terrific drive toward goal which produced an excellent reaction save from Marrs.
Having withstood the early second half onslaught by the visitors, RCA started to pick up the pace of the game and with it the forward momentum.
A foul on Annang-Colquhoun produced a freekick on the right which was taken by Allen, his pin point cross picked out Nelson at the far post and his side-footed effort squeezed between the post and Taylor's hand and over the line before Annang-Colquhoun made certain smashing the ball into the net.
RCA went looking for the second goal which would kill off the game but Penrith’s defence held firm.
In the 66th minute a Charlton freekick on the left was floated into the box and Davison sent a looping header towards goal and Taylor, under pressure from Trewick and Annang-Colquhoun, managed to tip the ball over the bar. The resulting corner taken by Charlton was met by Trewick but his well directed header hit the inside of the post and the rebound was cleared up field.
As so often happens after such a scare the visitors went on the attack, a cross by Hebson looked to be going harmlessly wide of the RCA goal and out for a goal kick, Hunter had other ideas and with the RCA defence appealing the ball was out of play Hunter created space for himself before hitting a thunderbolt of shot into the net.
RCA again picked up the pace of the game, a strong run by Hunter down the left created RCA’s next chance but his cross into the box was intercepted by Taylor bravely diving at the feet of Davison.
Two minutes later and a forward pass from Hodgson was met by Annang-Colquhoun but he fired wide.
The last chance of the game fell to Penrith who broke down the left through Coombe; his cross into the box was met by the unmarked DJ Taylor who volleyed the ball over the bar.
A scrappy affair ended all square.
The match was not one of the better games of the season. A lot of mistakes, poor decision making and finishing contributed to the match ending in a draw when, with a bit of luck, we could easily have come away with a win.
Next up we are away to Whitley Bay on Tuesday, 7th February 2022, kick off 7.30pm.