Sunderland RCA 3 Whickham 0

skilltraining Northern League

4 April 2009

A very dry hard pitch, mixed with a blustery wind meant that conditions were far from ideal at Meadow Park for today's must win game against Whickham. Having lost the toss RCA kicked off with wind and slope advantage, winning an immediate free kick on the half way line, centre half Wardle fired into the box and Jennings put the defence under early pressure winning a corner. Shields crossed in an excellent delivery, which found Henderson who was unlucky when heading just over the bar.

A very bright start by RCA continued with attacks down both flanks with Shields creating half chances for Jennings and Davison before Joseph on the left also found room coming in at the back post; he beat the full back but screwed his shot wide of the when a cross shot may have been the best option. Whickham were looking nervous in the early exchanges moving the ball long at all opportunities. However after 15 minutes they did get the ball down well through captain Cavanagh who played in his right-winger resulting in a first corner win which was well gathered by Hoggeth. RCA then began to increase the pace. Halliday and McLeod in central midfield, playing some good football, were finding the forwards quickly and after 25 minutes RCA won three successive corners. Shields was delivering well, but each time the central defenders made good headed clearances. After the third corner the ball was half cleared to the edge of the box and when launched back in, Davison rose well but headed over from eight yards.

The strong wind was making it difficult for the visitors to make any headway whilst RCA players found the ball running away from forwards, meaning the Whickham goalkeeper was being overworked in taking goal kicks, but not having to make any real saves. A scrappy period was livened when Jones intercepted one of Whickham's few attacks and when the ball was hit long from a wide position Halliday brought the ball down well and played in Joseph inside the penalty area who spun to fire in a good early shot which the keeper was relieved to see travel wide. There was frantic defending by the visitors in the final period before half-time, but RCA could not find a way through and when the referee blew to conclude the half the Whickham defenders shouted encouragement to one another for a defending job well executed, whilst RCA forwards looked on at what might have been. 0 - 0 at half time and RCA with it all to do.

The second half kicked off with Whickham pushing forward more but it was RCA who created the first attack when McGuinness won the ball on the left and switching it to midfield play was switched to the right where Shields ran free and, after getting behind the defence, he raced into the box but over hit his cross which cleared all and ran out of play.

RCA were upping the pace now and on 60 minutes a real chance was created when, after good midfield play between McLeod and Halliday, a through ball split the defence and Jennings beating the offside trap raced on. When pulling the trigger at the edge of the box he was fouled by a last ditch challenge. The referee immediately blew for the free kick then raced to his linesman for a long discussion. On return no card and a free kick only, right on the edge of the box.

Davison hit the resulting free kick with great venom past the wall, the keeper saved spectacularly and did well to keep out at all, but the ball rebounded to McLeod who following in poked home. 1 - 0 and the breakthrough at last.

The visitors were rattled now and minutes later things got a lot better for RCA when a great ball up the left found Joseph who raced past the covering right back and on breaking into the box drilled a terrific 20 yard cross shot past the keeper and just inside the far post. Real celebrations now by the home supporters with Whickham hit with a double whammy!

Whickham really pushed forward now with one long ball nearly deceiving Hoggeth and then their good play nearly resulted in a goal on 75 minutes. After a free kick was won 25 yards out Cavanagh hit a brilliant effort round the wall and Hoggeth was relieved when it hit the outside of the post. Coghlan was introduced by the RCA management as a replacement for Joseph on 80 minutes. The home side pushed forward now and Jennings was on the end of two successive crosses from the left diving to head one that was saved and one just wide. On 85 minutes this good attacking play ensured the game was sown up. After Shields won a free kick on the right McLeod hit a great cross into the box, which fell to the feet of Davison who fired home, to get the rewards that his efforts had fully deserved. 3 - 0 and game over. The referee blew a few minutes later to conclude a match that RCA easily deserved to win and another three points on the board. The promotion challenge is still not all over!