Sunday, 11 April 2010
Total Sport Challenge Trophy - Semi Final
RCA The Barnes earned themselves a Final, against local rivals Grangetown Florists, when they overcame the challenge of Hendon Blue by 4 - 1 on Sunday.
RCA were forced into a number of enforced changes due to Michael Curtis and Neil Moan being unavailable and John Turvey starting on the bench having picked up a slight groin strain midweek. This meant that joint manager Glenn Moan was forced into action in a back three alongside skipper Phil Hall and Liam Dunn, with the midfield five of Charlton, Jake Moan, McLeod, Davis and Metcalfe with Place and Tyzack up front. The match started in perfect conditions and bright sunshine with both sides eager to gain the advantage with several strong challenges being superbly handled by ex-football league official Gary Wallace ably assisted by linesmen Ballantine and McDowell.
After 15 minutes Hendon got the breakthrough when the impressive Jordan Thompson won the ball on the left inside the RCA half and advanced to the byline before cutting the ball back for Martin Hope to squeeze his shot under keeper Atkinson from ten yards out. This raised the tempo and Hendon gained strength, but they were pegged back after 25 minutes when good work down the right saw Jonathan Davis knock a dangerous bouncing ball to the far post where Andy Place did brilliantly to get a looping header on target; Hendon keeper Hart could only parry it out enabling Callum Charlton to stab home from two yards to bring the scores level. RCA then began to dominate with their short passing game and frequently got down the flanks and behind the Hendon defence. From one such move Gary Tyzack got clear on the left to bring a good save from Hart. Eventually the pressure paid off when a cross was partially cleared to the edge of the box and Jonathan Davis collected and struck a delicately placed left foot shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net after 35 minutes to give a ht score of 2 - 1 to RCA.
The second half saw Hendon again up their game and create a couple of opportunities without troublimg RCA keeper Atkinson. Then RCA struck what would prove to be the decisive goal when slick first-time passing through midfield released Andy Place in the inside right channel. He duly despatched a first time shot across the keeper to put daylight between the sides at 3 - 1 after the hour.
Hendon tried manfully to get back into the game, but by this time RCA were in dominant mood and after bringing on subs Mick McVay at right back and John Turvey up front they continued to create good scoring opportunities. The fourth goal duly arrived when John Turvey found himself one-on-one with the keeper, whom he rounded to slot home RCA's fourth and final goal after 80 minutes. Ross Hughes was introduced by RCA for the final minutes and the clock was run down to give a final score of 4 - 1 to RCA, putting them into the final.
Well done to Hendon Blue who were a credit to their division and also praise to referee Gary Wallace, who controlled the match in the manner you would wish some premiership referees would, i.e. sensibly and with common sense.
So that’s one final sorted - Thursday, 13 May at Ryhope CW versus Grangetown Florists - tasty that one - and another semi final coming up this Sunday at Meadow Park, 10:30am KO, against, would you believe it, Grangetown Florists for a place in the final of the Joe Holborn Memorial Cup against Humbledon and Plains Farm. All support greatly appreciated.