Jarrow Roofing 0 Sunderland RCA 4

skilltraining Northern League

11 April 2009

Sunderland RCA took the field knowing that nothing less than victory could keep us in the hunt for a promotion place and that goals scored could be important. RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth was returning to his old club and Jarrow had two ex-RCA men in their side, Matty Hysen playing number nine up front and Dean Goodwin in central midfield.

Both sides made a lively start. On two minutes Gary Hoggeth released Sean - Taz - Joseph down the RCA left. Taz hit a very good ball to Andy Jennings, whose shot was blocked. The game was even-stevens with both sides attacking, although RCA were not pleased by the number of times they were giving the ball away. On 11 minutes Adam McGuinness, who has taken to the left back position very well, hit a great ball to Scott Richards who crossed to Andy Jennings, who hit a good shot.

On 17 minutes it looked as though the Roofers would take the lead. Gary Hoggeth came out of his area and lost the ball to Matty Hysen whose shot went over the cross bar for a let off for RCA.

On 30 minutes the RCA keeper was shouting for the ball again, but was always second favourite as he came out of the penalty area, this time bringing down a Jarrow player, who needed treatment, and getting a yellow card for his trouble. The free kick was hit hard and low and was gathered by Gary who hit a long ball down field which was quickly latched onto by Northern League Division 2 leading scorer Mark Davison who lashed it past the keeper to give RCA the lead - a bit of a sickner for the hosts.

Towards the end of the first half it was clear that Taz was struggling with an injury and Steven Stewart warmed up. After Andy Jennings was through on goal, but placed his shot across the keeper and wide of his post, he was called on to swap with Sean to cover the left hand side and see out the half.

In the second half Steven Stewart came on as a replacement for Sean Joseph. Immediately opening scorer Mark Davison was looking lively with a strong shot from the outside the area going past the post. On 50 minutes a good move down the right saw Gary Shields' cross cleared for a corner. Three minutes later Andy Jennings saw his header cleared off the line as he beat the keeper. Jarrow were attacking too and their pressure led to a long range shot clearing the crossbar. On 58 minutes there was another strong run from Mark Davison, who should perhaps have tried to play Andy Jennings in. Two minutes later AJ hit the bar with a header. It only took another two minutes for RCA to deservedly increase their lead, with the old Chester pairing doing the business: Gary Shields crossed from the right and Steven Stewart shot across the keeper. Three minutes later and Steven Stewart was in again placing his shot out of the Jarrow keeper's reach into the right corner.

On 65 minutes manager Neil Hixon took Gary Shields off and put Michael Coghlan on in central midfield with Mark McLeod moving to the right. On 72 minutes Glenn Moan came on for Paul Wardle, who had twisted his knee. (He should be OK for Tuesday.)

On 86 minutes Andy Jennings got his just rewards when running through and outpacing the Roofers' defence he hit the ball strongly past the keeper to make it 4 - 0 to RCA.

A job well done, but it was not long after people had gathered in the club house that the news came through that Horden had won 1 - 0 with a goal in the last minute. That's football!