Sunday 23 August 2009
Solex Manufacturing Sunderland Sunday League - Premier Division
RCA The Barnes opened up the new season with a deserved 4-2 victory over the ever strong Redhouse CIU side.
RCA started the game with a slightly weakened team due to regular keeper Errington being missing because a rather delicate operation to his manhood region on Saturday - nuff said - being replaced by 17 year old Dan Douglas, who filled in admirably at the end of last season. Other enforced changes were mainly due to defensive injuries, holidays & suspensions.
RCA opened strongly, kicking up the slight slope at Downhill Complex and against a gusting wind, and got off to the perfect start when Willie Crew was released through the inside left channel. Goalkeeper Joe Thompson was adjudged to have brought him down, resulting in a penalty and a yellow card for Thompson. 17 year old Callum Charlton confidently stepped up and thumped an unstoppable penalty high into the roof of the net to put RCA 1-0 up after five minutes. RCA continued to play cofidently, building up measured passing moves from defence and keeping possession for long periods.
Slowly though, Redhouse started to get their game going and were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when a clumsy challenge by Mick McVay saw the referee point to the spot. The kick was despatched by Jon Davies, despite keeper Douglas getting a hand to it. Redhouse then went ahead after 30 minutes when a scuffed shot through a crowd of players caught out Douglas and nestled in the corner of the net, to give a slightly lopsided scoreline of 2-1 to Redhouse at half time.
RCA came out determined to make amends in the second half and dominated proceedings from the off, creating a number of half chances and a clear cut one for Andy Place which brought a good save from keeper Thompson. Eventually though RCA did equalise when Willie Crew tried a one two and found the ball returning to him at a perfect height from a Redhouse defender. He dispatched a fine volleyed finish which flew into the net.
RCA were now pushing hard and with the central midfield trio of Charlton, McLeod and Metcalfe releasing wing backs Tyzack and Gilbert regularly, you felt it was only a matter of time, but it needed an excellent block by keeper Douglas, when Redhouse broke down the right hand side, to keep the scores level.
After 70 minutes Redhouse should have been reduced to 10 men when Gary Tyzack was released through the middle. He lobbed keeper Thompson who then continued a late challenge, similar to the German keeper's against France years ago in the World Cup, which left Tyzack in a heap five yards outside the box as the ball went narrowly wide. Thompson showed no remorse or concern for the injured player. All in the ground were amazed when the referee took no further action, when a straight red was the correct decision, and even a yellow would have been a sending off, as Thompson was already on a yellow.
This incensed RCA who then took even greater control and should have had another penalty when Lewis blatantly handled a goalboud effort from Crew, but RCA were not to be denied and Crew eventually gave them the lead after 80 minutes when he rounded the keeper and converted into the corner.
Victory was sealed on 87 minutes when Andy Place got on the scoresheet by slotting home a rebound from his own shot, that had been blocked by the keeper, to leave the final score at 4-2 to RCA.
Next up a home fixture on Thursday night at Meadow Park against Silksworth Golden Fleece, when RCA will try to make it ttwo out of two. It's a 6.30 K.O.