Tuesday, 5 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here for photos from the match, including Gary Hoggeth's penalty save. Acknowledgement: these photos are from the Whitley Bay FC photographer.

A tough test faced a rejuvenated Sunderland RCA as they travelled to Hillheads the home of FA Vase winners Whitley Bay. RCA were without midfield playmaker Micky Coghlan for the trip which saw the return of David Duke for the aforementioned Coghlan as the only change from the side that claimed their first away win of the season against Billingham Town a week previous.

RCA began sharply trying to take the game to their illustrious opponents and it almost yielded immediate success. Some strong running into the channels by Ritchie Logan saw him get to the ball before the Whitley Bay defender and win the corner. Harrison Davies came over from the left flank and whipped in a dangerous inswinger that evaded front post attempts and went through a host of bodies before finding Carl Beasley at the back post who, from 4 yards managed to direct his diving header wide.

It was levelling into an end-to-end contest. Whitley Bay were showing their class on the attack with some clever interchanges around the edge of the RCA box but long range effort from both Lee Kerr and Adam Johnson failed to trouble Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal.

Martin Smith and Logan were also causing the Whitley Bay defence problems. Smith was finding space around the edge of the area created by Logan’s running and hold up play. Mid-way through the first half Steve Jones knocked a long ball into the channel for Logan to chase. The striker got there before his defender and fed Smith who was sitting in the hole. The Whitley Bay defence, who had interestingly tried to neutralise Smith’s threat by standing off him, invited the forward to run at them. Smith obliged and gracefully beat two men before being haled to the ground on the edge of the 18-yard area.

Smith took interest in the resulting freekick. Sensing a threat Terry Burke in the Whitley Bay goal built a five-man wall as Smith stood menacingly. With his left foot Smith floated the ball over the wall but his effort sailed gently over Burkes crossbar. From the goalkick Burke struck a long ball up field that Beasley was favourite to deal with. The defender slipped at the vital moment, however, and his tame clearance fell to Adam Johnson who ran at the RCA backline and squared a simple ball between defender and goalkeeper that Chow greatfully tucked away.

Whitley Bay increased their lead in the 38 minutes with a wonderful passage of play. After a tidy passing exchange Kerr picked up the ball on the inside left and clipped a delightful cross between defence and goalkeeper that Chow met before the oncoming Hoggeth.

RCA were forced into a first half change on the stroke of half time when Joe Walton came on to replace the injured Duke in the centre of midfield.

After the interval Whitley Bay continued to look dangerous on the attack and only a couple of vital block from James Oates and Beasley in the RCA defence stop them from increasing their lead.

Around the hour mark Whitley Bay received a clear penalty after Chow was brought down in the area. Johnson stepped up to take the spot kick but his cheeky chipped effort was read by Hoggath who confidently palmed the ball away.

As the second half grew RCA began to pose a threat on the Whitley Bay goal. Joe Fairish replaced Smith added some extra of tenacity to the RCA midfield with Walton moving to partner Logan up top.

In the last 10 minutes RCA began to lay siege on the Whitley Bay goal. RCA won a freekick out on the right and Jones swung in a dangerous ball that Oates met decisively in the air. His header crashed of the underside of the bar and bounced out. Walton, with Burke stranded, connected with the rebound but the bouncing ball was just to high for him to get over and all he could do is direct his header over the bar.

Whitley Bay controlled the final moments to see out the win. But RCA can take heart from their performance against a team that many in this league will find difficult to gain a result.

Saturday, 9 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA brought in Micky Coghlan for the injured David Duke (knee ligament damage) and Joe Walton returned after suspension.

The story of the match revolved around the penalties one scored by West Allotment and the other missed by RCA.

The game ended in a draw with RCA equalising in the last minute of normal time through a Martin Smith strike from 12 yards.

West Allotment almost took the lead in the opening 30 seconds off this STL Northern League Division 1 match when Hoggeth could only parry a shot from Hamilton into the path of Walton who in turn fired goalwards, but Beasley was on hand to head away for a corner. In the sixth minute a low drive from Buzzeo was pushed round the post by Hoggeth and he came to claim the resulting corner.

RCA came back at West Allotment and a cross from Logan flashed across the box inches in front of the outstretched leg of Smith.

West Allotment took the lead on 16 minutes after some good work by Walton and Buzzeo the ball was played in to Waite who looked to have lost possession before being fouled by Beasley. The referee signalled a penalty. Walton duly despatched the kick into the roof of the net sending Hoggeth the wrong way.

From the kick off Walton pushing forward crossed into the box and Davies hit the post from 10 yards out. The ball rebounded to Walton who was clearly in an offside position so the subsequent cross and shot into the net by Smith was always going to be ruled out. However it proved that the West Allotment defence could be broken.

With both teams looking to play football and get the ball forward at every opportunity it was turning into a good match to watch from a neutral's point of view. Bannon in the Allotment goal was called into action to save from Coghlan and when Logan was sent clear it took a suberb tackle by Hughes to deny the striker a goal.

In the 40th minute a through ball from Smith found Davies inside the box, but he appeared to be fouled as he went round the keeper and a penalty was awarded. However, Bannon who was having an outstanding game pulled of a great save to deny Coghlan from the spot kick.

An innocuous clash or heads just before half time between Logan and Waite saw the latter taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.

The second half saw RCA camped out in the West Allotment half for long periods, but unable to penetrate a resolute Allotment defence.

A cross from Walton found Davies free at the far post, but his header flashed narrowly wide of the post with Bannon struggling to get anywhere near it.

A good move between Richards and Beasley almost got just rewards when they set Logan up for a great chance, but Bannon was equal to it.
Minutes later RCA were awarded freekick just outside the area which Davies took and forced a brilliant save from Bannon.

RCA threw caution to the wind pushing Walton and Jones forward in a last ditch attempt to salvage a point and in the 89th minute they were rewarded when a cross from Beasley was not dealt with by the West allotment defence and the loose ball fell to Smith who cut inside before slotting the ball home.

A draw probably was a fair result, but on the second half performance RCA will be disappointed not to have taken all three points.

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

A trip to the Northern League's furthest north ground faced Sunderland RCA as they travelled to Woodhorn Lane, the home of Ashington AFC. RCA manager Neil Hixon was without Scott Richards, Richard Logan and new signing John Ryan, but was able to call on other debutants left back Paul Talbot and Marc Ellison, who came in to partner Micky Coglan in the centre of midfield. With a lack of striking options, central defender Paul Wardle was entrusted with the job of spearheading the RCA attack.

Woodhorn Lane, Ashington’s home since 2008 when they moved from Portland Park to the edge of the town, has a wonderful playing surface that lends itself to tidy, passing football. This suited RCA who began the game looking accomplished in possession. However, RCA’s early attacking moves found themselves breaking down up front with a final ball.

At the opposite end Ashington were less subtle in their approach play. Long balls up top to the target of ex-RCA centre forward Phil Bell. It would be Ashington who would carve the first opening of the match. A long ball out of defence found its way to the Ashington right flank. Alex Houlsby was given time to pick a decent cross into the box and he didn’t fail to deliver. His ball with pace picked out Phil Bell at the back post but the big centre forward headed wide from six yards clattering RCA goalkeeper Gary Hoggeth in the process.

As the first half progressed RCA began to look more threatening in front of the Ashington goal. Wardle as the makeshift centre forward was causing the Ashington defence problems with work rate and unpredictability. 20 minutes in a long ball up to Wardle caused uncertainty in the Ashington defence. Karl Dryden in the Ashington goal, trying to read the play, came out to intercept and clear but a touch from an Ashington defender took the ball away from him and into the path of Harrison Davies. Davies watched the bouncing ball carefully and hooked a special effort over the back peddling Dryden. The ball held in the air over the stranded keeper before dropping onto the crossbar and then kindly to an Ashington defender who was able to clear.

Minutes later, in almost similar fashion, a long ball up towards Bell was headed away by James Oates in the RCA defence. The bouncing ball fell nicely for David Colvin who had drifted infield. Colvin hit an equally spectacular effort that left Hoggeth helpless but struck the crossbar.

Joe Walton had been causing problems for Ashington left back Darren Lough all night and on the 35th minute he found the breakthrough. Walton ran at his man, carrying his team forward, before neatly checking back and laying the ball into Martin Smith. Smith held the ball in front of the square Ashington defence and bided his time before picking the perfect ball through to find the run of Walton who finished confidently.

Five minutes later and Walton should have made it two. A similar move saw Coghlan this time slipping through the winger. His first effort was saved by Dryden but the re-bound fell kindly for Walton, taking the keeper out of commission, but his second attempt was cleared off the line by an Ashington defender.

RCA came out after the interval still on top. Ellison in the centre of the park was having an excellent debut winning every tackle and motivating the team with his tenacity.

RCA were presented with two excellent chances to extend their lead. Firstly, Wardle pressured Dryden, who had come out of his area to deal with a long ball, into a mistake. But, with the goal gapping and more time that he imagined he miscued his finish sending the ball wide. Then, five minutes later, an excellent passing interchange on the edge of the box put Coghlan through on goal but, off balance, he sent his effort into the side netting.

Still behind Ashington began a 20 minute spell of pressure on the RCA goal however, Carl Beasley and Oates looked comfortable in dealing with everything the Ashington attack was throwing at them. An RCA corner would be the source of the Ashington equaliser. Floated in the corner was easily defended landing towards Talbot who pushed up field to collect. His first touch however was poor and presented Ashington with the opportunity to spread the ball wide, then, play a long ball over the top. Steve Jones stepped out to deal with it but misjudged his positioning and got under the flight of the ball. RCA were now exposed at the back and a simple cross into the middle found Phil Bell who headed into the bottom corner.

In the dying embers of the game an Ashington corner was well dealt with by RCA who found themselves with a break on. The ball was played to substitute Gavin Parkin, who had come on only minuets earlier for Smith. Parkin carried the ball the length of the field and found himself with a three on two situations. Opting instead to shoot Parkin picked his spot from 25 yards and found the postage stamp between post and crossbar, emphatically giving RCA the lead and ultimately all three points.

Saturday, 16 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here a slideshow of photos from the match.

Richard Logan replaced Paul Wardle in attack as the only change to the team that took all three points at Ashington. Two ex RCA players, Steven Stewart and Richard Hodgson were in Bedlington's team to face Hicka's team today.

The largest crowd of the season so far watched an eventful and very entertaining match.

RCA showed their intent in the opening minutes of the match when a dangerous cross from Davies was headed away for a corner by Flynn. From the resulting kick the ball fell to Coghlan, who threaded the ball back to Davies and his second cross in as many minutes caused panic in the Bedlington defence and they were pleased to hack the ball clear.

Bedlington responded to the early pressure with a long range effort from Gredziak which went wide of the target.

In the tenth minute Bedlington must have thought they had taken the lead. A cracking shot from Hodgson forced a magnificent save from Hoggeth, the rebound fell to Benjamin inside the six yard area and although the leagues leading scorer hit the target, Hoggeth somehow managed to get a hand on the ball and force it away for a corner. This seemed to spur RCA on and a slick passing move between Ellison, Smith and Davies set the winger up for a shot which he blasted high and wide.

RCA were playing some good one touch football and had Bedlington chasing shadows at times.

In the 16th minute RCA deservedly took the lead when Coghlan opened up the Bedlingtom defence with an inch perfect pass and the ball fell to Davies who made no mistake from 10 yards out volleying the ball off the underside of the bar and into the net.

Bedlington almost made RCA pay for a momentary lapse in concentration when a cross from Philipson was not cleared and the ball found its way to Benjamin who headed over the bar. The response from RCA was immediate, they put together the best passing move of the match involving Ellison, Coghlan, Smith and Davies who put Logan in the clear and it took a tremendous save from Morton to deny the forward.

In the 30th minute Philipson was dismissed for kicking out at Davies after the two had tangled after a clumsy challenge by Philipson. Bedlington were forced to make a substitution with Flynn limping out of the game and being replaced by Morton.

RCA mounted a number of attacks, but could not make the pressure tell and it remained 1-0 at half time.

The second half opened with both keepers being called into action in the opening two minutes. Morton pulled off a brilliant save from a corner by Davies, with the ball heading for the top corner he managed to palm over. At the other end a cross in from Hodgson found Benjamin free at the far post and although he managed to direct the header towards the bottom corner, Hoggeth once again denied him, turning the ball round the post for a corner.

The game was starting to liven up again. Davies, cutting in from the left wing, unleashed a shot which went narrowly wide, whilse a freekick by Elliott scraped the base of the post with Hoggeth scrambling to cover.

In the 63rd minute RCA were awarded a penalty when Logan was fouled by Dixon inside the area. Smith stepped up and sent Morton the wrong way with a well executed spot kick. Three minutes later Smith had a glorious chance to seal the match when he beat Morton to a Davies cross but had to watch as his header went inches wide of the goal.

In the 70th minute Bedlington had a good shout for a penalty, but the referee adjudged that Oates made contact with the ball and awarded a corner.

There was still time for Smith to shave the post once again with a superb driving shot after he had ben set up by the influential Coghlan who by now was running the show in midfield.

As the game pettered out Bedlington offered little in the way of a threat. The introduction of Convery and Shandran did little to improve their attacking power and what they did throw at RCA was ably dealt with by the home defence. All in all a brilliant performance by every member of the RCA team.

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Durham County Challenge Cup

In a sign that winter was on the horizon Meadow Park was enveloped in bitterly cold conditions for this Durham County Challenge Cup First Round tie with Ryton. Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon made a host of changes from the side that had produced such great league form recently. In defence Dave Anderson was a welcome return after a lengthy injury layoff partnering Wayne Henderson at centre half with Adam McGuinness filling in at left back. David Duke and Joe Fairish filled the centre of midfield birth while up front recent signing John Ryan came in for his full debut.

Ryton’s problems have been well documented of late and RCA looked to put their fragile side under pressure from the off. It wouldn’t take long for the breakthrough the ball arriving to Ryan 12-yards out who drilled through a host of bodies past the Ryton keeper to give RCA the lead.

Ryan was able to double his tally moments later seizing on a mistake by the Ryton goalkeeper to convert. Ryan and Richard Logan up front for RCA were causing problems for the Ryton defence with their strong running in behind the back four. A delicately clipped ball by Duke out thought everyone and left Ryan bearing down on goal to complete his hat-trick but his second touch was poor allowing the defender to challenge and then clear.

Ryton crafted their best opportunity after 25 minutes when an excellent passing interchange on the edge of the box gave North the opportunity to finish but RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth was quick to close the angle and beat away North’s blasted effort.

RCA’s third came from a moment of inspiration by Gavin Parkin who, it seams, is coming up with quite a habit of producing these types of goals. Picking the ball up on the right flank Parkin cut inside beating his first man before carrying on infield past his second and third and producing a left footed strike that spectacularly beat the keeper before going in off the post.

Just before the interval Logan made it four. Driving infield from the left Logan shifted the ball past the challenge before delivering a low drive that beat the keeper at his near post.

Feeling the game was already won RCA concentrated in controlling possession in the second half and looked to slowly pick their opponents off. In the 53rd minute Ryan was given the chance to complete his hat-trick which he gratefully took. A precise passing move that has been the signature of RCA’s attacking play over the past few weeks put Ryan through on goal and he slipped the ball confidently past the Ryton keeper.

To their credit Ryton kept on fighting until the final whistle even with the game feeling over as a contest. Yet, no consolation goal was forthcoming and pushing forward gave RCA the opportunity to punish them. Picking the ball up inside his own half McGuinness played a quick interchange before running to the edge of the Ryton area unchallenged and curling a right footed shot into the near corner in the final action of the game.

RCA record a comfortable win and passage to the Second Round where the possibility of a big fixture with Durham City or Gateshead lies in wait.

Saturday, 23 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here a slideshow of photos from the match.

A superbly headed goal by substitute Craig Bishop in the 92 minute was enough to give Norton & Stockton Ancients all three points in this hard fought encounter.

A draw looked on the cards as both keepers performed heroics in making crucial saves to keep the score at 0-0 on 90 minutes. However it was not to be for RCA who were gutted to concede so late in the game.

Sunderland RCA almost took the lead in the opening three minutes of this game when Davies skipped past two defenders before curling a wicked cross into the box where the initial shot from Parkin was saved by Provett and Richards following up had his shot deflected by Huggins for a corner. Five minutes later and a cross from Parkin found Smith on the edge of the box and his pass to the far post found Logan who took too long to shoot and Norton’s defence eas able to clear the deanger.

Norton quickly got into their stride and a long range effort from Jamie Clarke brought the first action of the game for Hoggeth who made a straight forward save. A pass from Huggins found Shaun Clarke running into space and a mistimed tackle from Beasley brought him crashing to the floor earning the RCA defender the first caution of the match. Hoggeth saved the shot from Jamie Clarke. At the other end Logan and Smith combined to set up Coghlan and his effort from 25 yards brought a great save from Provett.

The game flowed from end to end with few major chances until the game came to life in the 40th minute, a mis-placed back pass from Oates was intercepted by Jamie Clarke who progressed inside the 18 yard box before unleasing a terrific shot which Hoggeth somehow managed to get a hand to it, as the ball landed back at the feet of Clarke it looked like a simple tap in from six yards out, but once again the strong hands of Hoggeth managed to parry the ball away for a corner.

RCA broke quickly from the corner, but where caught in possession and a beautiful pass from Huggins found Shaun Clarke inside the RCA box and he blasted his shot goalward. Hoggeth flung himself at the ball and just managed to get enough on it to allow Beasley to clear the rebound of the line.

At the start of the second half Norton pressed RCA deep into their own half with an awesome display of possession football. Hoggeth and the RCA defence were called upon time and time again to put their bodies in the road of a multitude of shots from Norton. Shaun Clarke had a shot saved and the rebound was fired over by Huggins, than Hoggeth pulled off atremendous save from Jamie Clarke before Mulligan fired in a shot which for once beat Hoggeth but hit the post and rebounded to safety. RCA weathered this frantic 20 minutes and started to create openings themselves when Coghlan found himself in space just outside the box but fired over.

As the game wore on more chances were being created. Coghlan had a shot brilliantly saved by Provett when he looked odds on to score and two minutes later Logan was sent clear by Smith, but with only the keeper to beat he fired straight at Provett and the keeper somehow managed to get his body in the way of the shot by Coghlan as he followed up on the rebound.

The game was not without its excitment and who could have envisaged the finale?

With time running out Bishop had a snap shot from 25 yards out which was destined for the top corner when Hoggeth somehow got a gloved hand to it and the ball went for a corner. RCA attacked from the corner and Provett was on hand to make a last ditch save from Smith.
More was to follow when the assistant referee flagged for a goalkick deep into injury the game looked to be over, however the referee overruled him and awarded a corner which was whipped in by Clarke and Bishop headed home to the delight of the home fans.

Saturday, 30 October 2010

STL Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA saw the return of Paul Talbot at left back after last week’s late defeat to Norton & Stockton Ancients replacing David Duke. Gavin Parkin was moved to a more advanced role next to Richard Logan in the RCA attack with Joe Walton coming in on the right side of midfield for Martin Smith who was missing through injury.

West Auckland began with a frantic pace looking for the first goal and it would not take them long to find it. After two minutes of play Gary Hoggeth turned away the first effort from the opening West Auckland corner. The second corner found Chris Renshaw at the near post and his header beat Hoggeth to give West Auckland an early advantage.

The away side were on top looking first to every ball and their aggressiveness showed as RCA struggled to get a foothold in the opening moments of the game. Some stout defending from James Oates and Carl Beasley at the heart of the RCA defence kept West Auckland within reach.

RCA began to find an outlet with balls into the channels and they had a willing runner in Logan. As RCA began to assert a presence in the game Logan began to find more time and space and receiving the ball at feet he was able to turn and run, troubling the West Auckland defence. His best opening came moments later turning the defender to run through on goal, but Mark Bell in the West Auckland goal turn the shot away.

The atmosphere of the game, set by West Auckland’s early aggressiveness, began to get lively as RCA set about their opponents in a similar manner. However, some of the West Auckland playing staff seemed aggrieved by the levels of competitiveness and tempers and petulance looked like they would eventually reach boiling point.

On 32 minutes referee Mr. Stalker awarded RCA a penalty for an awkward challenge on Parkin that was feverishly debated by the West Auckland staff and support. Harrison Davies stepped up to take the spot kick and angled it perfectly into the corner to restore balance to the scoreline.

West Auckland regained the lead deep into first half added time when Mattie Moffat beat two RCA defenders and set up Stuart Banks to slot in to give the away side a 2-1 lead at the half.

The second half began much in the same way as the first half ended. Both teams dedicated, but inevitably unable to remove the scrappy element from their play. It was in this passage of play however that RCA produced their best move of the match. Walton finding space down the right pulled back a perfect cross to Coghlan who brought the ball down on his chest and riffled the volley home.

The second equaliser seemed to hurt West Auckland mentally as frustration became the most significant part of their play. David Duke was introduced, replacing Parkin, to give RCA a more combative element to their play with Coghlan pushing further up field.

RCA began to create the better of the chances and had the majority of the play. A ball squared back to Logan on the edge of the area gave him the best of a number of shooting opportunities, but he failed to find the target.

With around 15 minutes remaining Logan pounced on a mistake in the West Auckland defence and his wild effort flew past Bell and hit the inside of the West Auckland post before seemingly taking an age to cross the line and give RCA the lead.

Disheartened, West Auckland switched to attack to try and find an equaliser, but RCA always looked the more dangerous on the break. Firstly, Duke with a one on one, but his effort could only find the outstretched arms of the keeper.

Scott Richards should have ended all doubt when he was slipped through on goal by Coghlan but as Bell came out to close the angle Richards let the ball run across his body and, with his left foot, attempted to curl a low shot near side which failed to find the target.

West Auckland were reduced to pumping long ball into the box in the final stages that were easily defended by the secure aerial presence of Oates and Beasley. RCA saw out the final few minutes to secure another three points from a hard fought contest.