Sunderland RCA FC 3 Penrith FC 0

Saturday, 13 November 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

Click here to view match photos from guest photographer Geoff Watson.

RCA included new signing Lee Owens in the squad for the visit of Penrith, who on their travels this season have won six matches. The first half proved to be a tight affair with Penrith probably just shading it and when RCA missed a penalty in the dying minutes of the half it looked like it might be Penrith's day again.

The transformation in the RCA team for the second half was unbelievable and the final score could have been much more than 3-0.

RCA continued their impressive run with a well earned win against a Penrith team who have won six times on their travels this season.

It was Penrith who set the early pace and Beasley had to be on hand to clear the danger when Robinson threatened in the eigth minute to break into the box. Beasley's clearance found Martin Smith who crossed for Logan, but the forward was denied a shooting opportunity by Mark Jones.

Penrith should have taken the lead when Earl switched the ball to the left wing for Allinson who crossed into the box, but Robertson's effort went well over the bar.

A spell of prssure from RCA saw Logan win a corner and when the cross came into the box Beasley was unlucky to see his shot cleared, however it only went as far as Walton who fired the ball to the far post for Oates, but he could not direct his header on target. Both defences were on top and goal chances were rare.

In the 43rd minute RCA were awarded penalty when Davies was brought down in the box. With the Penrith players protesting in vain to the referee the kick was delayed for a number of minutes and unfortunately Davies' weak kick was easily saved by James Holland, his third penalty save this season.

RCA came out for the second half in very determined mood and Walton started to impress on the right beating Penrith captain Mark Jones on a number of occasions, only to see good crosses into the box wasted by poor finishing.

A speculative effort from Wilson wide on the left wing had Hoggeth at full stretch and he was relieved to see the ball strike the post and fall to the feet of Oates who cleared to Walton. He jinked past Jones once more and although his cross was well defended the ball fell to Coghlan 25 yards out and he fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net giving Holland no chance.

RCA were in no mood to relinquish this hard fought lead and althogh Penrith responded by firing high balls into the box the defending of the whole back four, but Oates in particular, was immense and they never looked like conceding.

In the 82nd minute substitute and new signing Owens charged down a clearance from Paul and then as the ball ran towards Thornton he closed him down, winning the ball he then skipped past Brown before delivering a delightful cross to the far post where Walton was on hand to volley home.

Inspired by these two goals RCA pushed forward again and again and were rewarded in the 89th minute when, receiving a terrific pass from Coghlan on the right, Walton waltzed past the Penrith defence before squaring the ball to Ryan, who was left with the simplest of tap ins from five yards out.

All in all a very good second half performance which sees us rise to the relative safety of 12th in the league.