Sunderland RCA The Barnes 2 Liverpool Derby Lane Gym 0

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Carlsberg FA Sunday Cup Second Round

RCA Barnes, who are finally getting their season back on track after well documented early season problems, overcame a very strong challenge from Derby Lane by two goals to nil, to progress to the last 32 of this prestigious national competition.

After an early morning pitch inspection passed the ground fit, Gary Errington had a near full strength squad to pick from and the game kicked off in damp and drizzly conditions.

Derby Lane started the brighter and their two forward players, Owens and Hughes were giving the RCA back four problems, with the Derby Lane play maker Matt Williams having plenty of the ball. However RCA slowly came more into the game as the half wore on and keeper Atkinson made a couple of comfortable saves before RCA had a couple of half chances at the other end. All in all it was an even first half with neither side able to create an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

The second half again saw Derby Lane start strongly and the back four of RCA, McVay, skipper Hall, Curtis and Metcalfe had to be at their very best to contain the visitors, whilst the midfield and forwards had to scrap for any ball they could get.

However after 65 minutes a wayward throw in deep in Derby Lane's half allowed Willie Crew to gain possession. He squared to Andy Place, 18 yards out, who despatched a low drive to the keeper's left which skipped on the wet surface and nestled in the corner to give RCA a 1 - 0 lead.

The tie then looked as if Derby Lane were going to get back into the match, when, five minutes later, they were awarded a penalty (harshly) for a hand ball, but keeper Atkinson dived to his left to collect the resulting kick. Then, unbelievably, the referee proceeded to issue a second yellow card to RCA centre half Mick Curtis for celebrating the penalty save 'in an aggressive and dissentful manner towards the referee', thus meaning RCA were facing the last 20 minutes with only ten men.

Derby Lane then obviously went full tilt for an equaliser, but with RCA midfielders Newby, Davis, Jordan and McMahon putting in double shifts, RCA seemed to rise to the challenge and along with the oustanding skipper Philip Hall they kept Derby Lane at bay, albeit not without some luck and good goalkeeping from Atkinson.

After 75 minutes scorer Place was replaced by Turvey. After 80 minutes a rare RCA foray produced a free kick wide on the right. When it was floated in to the near post by McVay, Richy Jordan drifted in in front of the keeper to deftly head home to give RCA a 2 - 0 lead, which they comfortably held on to for the final 10 minutes, to give them a 2 - 0 victory.

Credit to Derby Lane, who gave of their all, but just could not break down a resolute RCA defence, superbly marshalled by skipper and MOM, Philip Hall.

The draw for the third round has again sent another Liverpool outfit heading North. Sandstone FC will be at Meadow Park on Sunday, 12 December. Kick off time is still to be confirmed, but will be posted on home page of website soon, so come along, support the lads and see if we can probress to the last 16 for the first time.