Monday, 3 January 2011

Allan Thompson Memorial Cup

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match

After an enforced lay off for both Ryhope clubs due to the seasonal weather contentions over the course of the last month Sunderland RCA opened 2011 with a local derby against Ryhope CW in the Alan Thompson Memorial Cup at Meadow Park.

It was cold when the sides took the field for the early afternoon kick off. After the heavy snowfall the pitch looked in good condition and both sides looked to pass the ball with consistency when building up attacks.

The game took a while to spark into life with both sides understandably struggling for match fitness. RCA’s first opening came as Harrison Davies was slipped inside the full back after a give-and-go. With time to look up Davies drove into the box and picked out a trialist forward who’s fine effort was tipped over the bar by the Ryhope CW goalkeeper. Ryhope CW were equally posing pressure to RCA but for all their endeavour in front of the defence they could not find an opening.

The first goal of the game came on the half hour mark when, with some quick thinking at the dead ball, the freekick was bent low around the wall and into the bottom corner with the Ryhope CW keeper still arranging his wall. Cue a wave of protest from the keeper and his teammates over the lack of a whistle but the referee refused to relent and the goal stood.

RCA had the better of the remaining 15 minutes of the half with Joe Walton terrorising the Ryhope CW left back. Walton’s pace and technique had opened up the Ryhope CW defence on a number of occasions but the RCA frontline failed to convert any of the opportunities.

RCA manager Neil Hixon made eight changes at the half introducing a debutant goalkeeper and John Ryan at the forefront of the RCA attack. Ryan quickly made an impact. Firstly, some good hold up play allowed Davies to make a run in behind the Ryhope CW defence. The ball fed through was perfect but with only the keeper to beat Davies got his effort all wrong, attempting to chip the keeper he sent the ball harmlessly wide. Then, minutes later, a simple piece of movement in the box freed Ryan from his marker and a typical strikers finish doubled RCA’s lead.

Ryan could have bagged a hat-trick in the next five minutes going though on goal twice only to be denied by the keeper. He got his second on 57 minutes with another good finish from inside the box.

From the kick off Ryhope CW hit back. A long range effort from Martin Metcalfe looked to be heading over the bar but a late dip saw the debutant RCA keeper peddling back to excellently tip over for a corner. The spell of Ryhope CW pressure continued and an unnecessary challenge on the edge of the area from the cleared corner gave Ryhope CW a freekick. David Newby stepped up to take it and his effort took a wicked deflection from the jumping wall that sent the ball looping into the air giving the RCA keeper no chance.

The game was now end to end. Davies was again worked into the box but his finish fail to match the excellent build up play. Ryan was also put through on goal and had looked to have secured his hat-trick beating the keeper with a well placed shot. The ball however, clipped the inside of the post and rolled gently across the line for the keeper to pick it up with everyone in the ground, bar those behind the goal, watching and expecting the officials to call it a goal.

Ryhope CW pulled a second back when Davies, failing to track the runner, left Paul Talbot facing a two-on-one situation. The cross into the box was poor but some bad footing meant Leon Carling was unable to deal with it and Metcalfe was able to turn and finish smartly.

Ryan finally completed his hat-trick in the 75 minute. Davies used a clever piece of skill to tempt the defender on the left flank into a tackle. The defender obliged and Davies shifted the ball past him and was brought down for the free kick. The free kick was played into the box for Ryan to get a touch and the ball almost apologetically crawled over the line into the bottom corner.

Ryhope CW continued to battle and pressure the RCA defence. In the 79 minute Chris Trewick picked up their third of the day giving them a lifeline back into the game. RCA however, were able to hold on the remaining 10 minutes of the match to regain the Cup to mark a successful day with the proceeds going to charity.

Saturday, 8 January 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

After eight weeks without any action in the Northern League and seven weeks since their last competitive fixture Sunderland RCA met South Shields for the first league game of 2011. With Richie Logan and Micky Coghlan suspended RCA manager Neil Hixon brought new signing Keith Graydon into the centre of midfield and John Ryan, off the back of his hat-trick against Ryhope CW, into attack in an otherwise familiar looking RCA starting eleven.

South Shields began the game the better of the two sides looking less affected by the winter lay off. Passing the ball well in the centre of the park and looking stronger in possession South Shields pressured the RCA goal in the opening interchanges leaving RCA looking for an attacking outlet on the counter attack.

After Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal had made a couple of comfortable saves from long range efforts RCA created their first opening to test Jonathan Carmichael in the South Shields goal. Some decent wing play down the right gave Ryan the opportunity to fire on goal. His first attempt was saved by Carmichael who then inexplicably let the ball slip from his grasp. However, at the second attempt Ryan was unable to profit and the South Shields keeper smothered the loose ball.

South Shields opened the scoring after the 20 minute mark. Picking the ball up in the RCA half Christopher Winn ran at the RCA defence who stood off him. Reaching the edge of the area Winn stepped passed two attempted tackles before releasing an unconventional strike which bobbled past Hoggeth and caught the near post before rolling into the back of the net.

South Shields increased their lead 10 minutes later. A simple exchange of passes found Shields captain Lee Paul Scroggins inside the area and his sublime strike left Hoggeth with no chance.

Just before half time South Shields thought they had added a third when Stephen Ramsey placed the ball past Hoggeth. The goal however was quickly ruled out when the referee spotted the linesman’s early flag correctly indicating that Ramsey had been in an offside position. South Shields went in at the half with only a two goal advantage despite the ardent protests from the congregation of Shields supporters behind the goal.

RCA returned for the second half with a renewed impetus. They began to retain the ball better and a string of midfield passing moves was linked up in attack by half time substitute John Toft and Martin Smith who began to influence his presence on the game.

The early introduction of David Duke for Scott Richard helped RCA use Joe Walton and Harrison Davies to greater effect. Walton would be presented with RCA first clear opening of the game. A whipped ball across goal from Smith was met by Walton at the back post his strike beat the scrambling Carmichael but not Duncan O’Brien who hacked the ball away off the line.

RCA began to exploit the flanks Walton provided the outlet this time. Out pacing his marker and getting to the byline Walton looked up and picked the perfect ball across goal with defenders and goalkeeper afraid to make contact. Davies, in space in the six yard box and with the goal at his mercy, had time to pick his spot but his tame effort was straight at O’Brien who again cleared the ball off the line.

RCA perhaps felt this wasn’t going to be their day as opportunities for Toft, Davies and Walton were missed and loose handling from Carmichael in the six yard area was again failed to be taken advantage of.

Comfortable with their lead South Shields had resorted to attacking on the counter in the second half. It was an instinctive breakaway with 10 minutes remaining that led to Shields best opportunity of the half. With men committed Shields exposed the space down the right flank and a floated cross was met powerfully on the edge of the area by Scroggins who would have claimed his second of the match had it not been an excellent tip over from Hoggeth.

RCA finally got the goal their second half pressure deserved when Walton connected with a ball in from Smith with three minutes of the 90 remaining. RCA continued to push but the final chance remained elusive.

Over the balance of play RCA will perhaps feel they deserved a draw however a strong South Shields team punished the home sides slow start.

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Durham County Challenge Cup Quarter Final

Sunderland RCA travelled to the Gateshead International Stadium for the Durham County Challenge Cup Quarter Final against a Gateshead Reserves side. RCA manager Neil Hixon had Marc Ellison, Leon Carling and John Ryan missing from the squad but was able to call on Richie Logan, returning from suspension, to partner Martin Smith in attack. David Duke came into midfield for Scott Richards in the only changes from the eleven who started against South Shields at the weekend.

RCA faced a Gateshead side that boosted three recognised first team members, Brian Wake, Johnny Allan and Josh Gillies, as well as goalkeeping coach Chris Porter.

RCA started the brighter of the two sides utilising Joe Walton and Harrison Davies on the flanks. Walton was first to exposes his man, outpacing left back Kieron McDonald, his cross was inch perfect for Davies who had cut in from the left but, unmarked, he directed his header straight at Porter in the Gateshead goal.

Next it was Davies, getting to the byline he hung a left footed ball to the far post for Walton to slide in but his attempt, on the half volley, only found the side netting.

RCA were exploiting the wide areas with the Gateshead full backs looking vulnerable. Walton, in particular, was causing the Gateshead defence problem switching between getting to the byline and crossing deep to the far post.

After 10 minutes of play Gateshead created their first opportunity. A long, hopeful ball over the top interested Wake who set off in a foot race with James Oates. The Gateshead striker looked second favourite for the ball but through a mixture of persistence, strength and pace he came out on top. With Oates down Wake cut into the box and seemed to have time to finish with no defenders around him. However, the moment of indecision gave the RCA defence time to get back into position and combined with Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal they were able to clear.

The RCA midfield were picking tidy passes around Gateshead. Keeping the ball on the floor and passing from the back Keith Graydon was lying deep in midfield offering an outlet to the defence with Duke playing in an advanced role augmenting the attack. With the two midfield men linking up well RCA were able to supply Smith and Logan with the ball at their feet. Slipping in Logan inside the penalty area the striker cleverly stepped away from the Gateshead defender who hung out a leg. Logan went down and the cries from the stands said clear penalty however the referee who was in a good position yards away said no to the dismay of Logan and the RCA support.

Again passing around Gateshead, RCA made inroads through the centre of the pitch. With Duke and Graydon exchanging passes in front of Gateshead’s two banks of four Logan showed for the ball. A careful triangle of passes between him, Graydon and Smith found the latter in behind the Gateshead defence but his goalward shot was blocked.

In an extended spell of possession RCA were committing men forward. Penned into their area Gateshead were playing with one attacking outlet in Wake. Pushing both full backs forward RCA were firing dangerous balls into the box that were being well defended by Gateshead. Advancing down the left with the ball at his feet Paul Talbot switched play across field to Steve Jones. With time and space the fullback took a touch to compose himself then fired a 35-yard effort towards the top corner that had Porter beaten. The ball came back off the inside of the upright and with the Gateshead keeper stranded Smith slid in to try and convert into the empty net. The ball, however, got caught under his feet and by the time he was able dig it out the chance was gone and Gateshead were eventually able to clear.

Finally obtaining some tenure over the ball Gateshead looked confident in possession and gave the RCA defence something to think about with Gillies in particular looking dangerous. After 27 minutes Andy Brown slipped in Wake behind the RCA defence. He was able to turn his marker and closing in on goal with Hoggeth advancing Wake produced a sublime finish from an acute angle, chipping the ball over the RCA keeper to give Gateshead the lead.

RCA responded immediately. Davies, outstripping Gateshead right back Luke Gilbert, fired a low cross across goal and, with defender and goalkeeper afraid to make contact, Logan was left with a tap in. Again from the restart RCA pressed. Davies and Talbot combining down the left, Talbot’s deep cross was met by Walton at the back post who’s header across goal provided Logan with the simplest of finishes.

RCA continued to control much of the first half play. Just before the interval Gateshead gave RCA a reminder of their attacking threat. After some good possession football Brown found Gilles on the left. Gilles ran at Jones beating the RCA right back before stepping away from a second challenge and passing the ball passed Hoggeth. Gilles cross-come-shot was goalbound but Carl Beasley was positioned well and cleared.

Micky Coghlan came on to replace Keith Graydon in the centre of the RCA midfield at the interval. RCA began the second half with the same impetus, attacking down the flanks and pressuring the Gateshead goal. Just before the hour mark Davies cross was charged down resulting in an RCA corner. Davies went over to take the corner firing low to the near post. A flick at the front post found its way through the bodies and Beasley slid in to increase RCA’s lead.

RCA replace Smith with John Toft and from the restart Gateshead moved on the attack. Feeding the ball to Gilles who once again instigated problems in the RCA defence the winger drove from a seemingly untroubling position, outpacing his man and stuck the ball with pace, nearside, into the top corner passed Hoggeth.

RCA to kick off. Holding onto possession RCA produced an effective passing move down the right flank with Walton feeding the ball inside to Logan. With the ball at his feet Logan shrugged off a challenge from the player in attendance and unleashed a 15 yard drive that passed Porter before he had attempted to make the save.

As the second half progressed Gateshead, with the impressive Wake as their spearhead, began to have more influence on proceedings. They could, and perhaps should, have got back into the game when Wake was found six yards from goal but headed over and then moments later Hoggeth made a crucial save at the feet of Jonny Evans after a Rob Briggs knock down.

RCA continued to create chances Davies put the ball in the back of the net but was correctly flagged offside and in a similar move Davies was again put through, this time beating the offside trap, and stuck straight at Porter. The Gateshead keeper made the save pushing the ball into the air and leaving his goal empty. Davies, stretching, struck the ball on the volley but it was a difficult chance and the winger put it wide.

The narrative subplot was the tale of two forwards, Logan for RCA and Wake for Gateshead. Logan, with a hat-trick already to his name, was picking the ball up deep and frightening the Gateshead defence running with speed and skill. At the opposite end Wake was causing RCA just as many problems.

An interchange between Logan and Davies down the flank helped open up the Gateshead defence once again. The ball was fed, from the left, to the feet of Walton. With McDonald in tow Walton stepped over the pass dragging the full back out of position and leaving Toft with time and space in the 18-yard area to finish. With Porter advancing from his line Toft stuck high, but directly at the keeper, and Porter made the easy save.

With 15 minutes left to play RCA took their foot off the gas as fatigue set in. Areas of the field that before the RCA midfield and defence had worked hard to close down began to be left open and the quality in particular of Gilles and Wake began to show.

Gateshead pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. Coghlan with the ball at his feet attempted to spray a pass out wide to Jones. The ball was sloppy and comfortably intercepted by Allan who ran at the exposed RCA defence. Reaching the edge of the area Allan shot straight at Hoggeth who was able to parry it away. The loose ball fell to Briggs whose strike squirmed under the feet of Hoggeth, as he attempted to make the second stop, and into the back of the net.

The third goal reinstated Gateshead belief and propelled them back into the game. As they put heavy pressure on the backline the RCA defence was forced into some last ditch challenges to keep their winning position intact. But, with five minutes left to play, Gilles stepped in from the left and arched an excellent effort in off the inside of the far post for the equaliser.

Gateshead could sense a winner and in the last minute of normal time it came. An unnecessary challenge gave Gateshead a freekick 25-yards from goal. Gilles stepped up and his spectacular attempt struck the bar with the RCA defence left watching. Allan reacted first and with no one around him he converted into the empty net.

Game over you would believe, but RCA found the time to fashion another two chances. Substitute Joe Fairish, who had come on minutes earlier for Duke was only stopped from bravely connecting with a diving header six yards from goal by the vital challenge of Danni Lay after Davies attempt had spun into the air. Then Logan stepped past three challengers with the ball at his feet and shot low and hard towards the near post only to be cruelly denied by a good save from Porter.

Gateshead advance to the Semi Final with a tie against either Spennymoor Town, Dunston UTS or Norton & Stockton Ancients to look forward to while RCA reflected on an opportunity missed in what was simply an epic encounter.

Saturday, 13 January 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Another away day this time to last season's Second Divison champions Stokesley. Historically this is always a hard game and this match, played on a difficult surface and with a gale force wind blowing across the pitch proved to be harder than most. Hixon made a couple of tactical changes, bringing in Leon Carling to partner Carl Beasley at the heart of the defence and pushing James Oates into a more advanced central midfiled role. Stokesley started with an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation.

A howling wind greeted both teams onto the pitch and it took quite a while for the teams to adjust to the conditions.
Stokesley looked to be playing long ball which was causing RCA's defence problems in the swirling wind. RCA were trying to play the ball on the ground but were finding it difficult on a sticky surface.

The first real chance fell to Stewart on the left for Stokesley but he fired his effort wide. Walton then picked the ball up inside the Stokesley half before raced clear of the defender, unfortunately his cross which beat Dean in Stokesley goal also evaded the head of Smith.

After 10 minutes a delightful one, two between Logan and Davies put the latter in the clear and his cross was met at the far post by Walton but he headed wde.

Stokesley responded with some good play and Hume and Close combined to set Morrison up put his shot was well saved by Hoggeth. A long ball from Poole found Morrison on the right and his cross seemed to hang on the wind for an eternity before Hoggeth claimed it with both Robson and Stewart bearing down on him.

RCA needed to up their game and were getting literally bogged down in midfield. Walton did manage to shake off his defender and a quality ball into the box found Davies unmarked at the back post but somehow Dean pulled off two point-blank saves to deny the winger.

Stokesley took the lead when Crager hit a hopeful cross field clearance out of defence, the ball evaded Talbot and found Morrison in acres of space and he cut inside before cleverly steering the ball over Hoggeth and into the empty net.

Carling was booked for a clumbsy challeng on Morrison and from the resulting free kick, Stewart forced a corner. RCA were then awarded freekick when Poole fouled Smith and although Stokesley seemed to have dealt with Beasley's initial kick the ball fell to Smith on the edge of the box and Dean made a scrambling save to his right.

The second half saw RCA utilising the wind and the right wing to great effect, a cross from Jones was punched away by Dean only as far as Logan but his low shot went wide. There was a sense of Deja Vu to this second half which was reminiscent of last year's 1-0 defeat at the same ground. Hopefully history wasn't repeating itself.

It was one way traffic with RCA turning the screw but failing to find that vital bit of quality that would unlock a resolute Stokesley defence.
RCA had changed up a gear and were forcing Stokesley back and only some last ditch defending kept them in the game.

A rare attack from Stokesley found Stewart free on the right and when Hoggeth palmed out his first attempt the ball rebounded back to Stewart who looked odds on to make it 2-0 but Hoggeth managed to put a hand on the ball and turn it round the post.

Oates was inches away from a cross from Walton and a shot from Logan found the side netting.

Stokesley were reduced to 10 men when an innocuous looking challenge on Jones by Morrison earned the Stokesley player a straight red card.

The game degenerated very quickly into a battle of attrition and Stokesley were guilty of a little indiscipline with cautions flying around for silly misdemeanours. RCA held their nerve and their discipline and when Coghlan released Logan on the right it looked like the centre forward having slipped had missed the opportunity to cross the ball but somehow he curled his foot round the ball and it flew over the keeper and into the top corner of the net.

Late in the game a careless challenge on Smith by Robson earned him a straight red card and Stokesley were forced to play the remainder of the match with nine men.

Even with this numerical advantage RCA could not find a second goal to claim all three points.

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Jarrow Roofing were the visitors to Meadow Park for Sunderland RCA’s first home evening fixture of the new year. Looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat to Jarrow Roofing earlier in the season Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon made one change from the starting line-up that picked up a point away to Stokesley at the weekend. David Duke dropped to the bench to be replaced by Keith Graydon in the centre of midfield.

RCA looked bright early on taking the game to Jarrow Roofing. Building the attacks up from the back RCA looked to work the ball out to Joe Walton on the right flank. In a warning of things to come a threaded ball between Jamie Marshall and Daniel Kirkup allowed Walton to use his pace to get in behind the Jarrow Roofing defence. His first touch took Marshall out of the game but the ball into the box was defended well.

Walton was again the outlet minutes later and this time he made Jarrow Roofing pay. James Oates, operating in an advanced midfield position, slipped a perfectly weighted ball through the Jarrow Roofing defence. With a clever run, outside to in, Walton found himself bearing down on goal and he applied the finish, drilling the ball passed Gary Frater into the bottom corner.

RCA continued to expose Jarrow Roofing down the flanks with Walton now knowing he had the better of his man. In a clever interchange with Richie Logan Walton again found himself in a crossing position and, with time to look up, he drilled a low ball across the six-yard box with RCA players in good positions. The cross fell invitingly for Harrison Davies to convert but he somehow missed his kick and the ball ran in between his legs.

When in possession Jarrow Roofing endeavoured to provide an attacking threat especially with RCA only holding a slender lead. However, despite looking confident with the ball they rarely looked like troubling the central defensive partnership of Carl Beasley and Leon Carling. Jarrow Roofing’s major opening came just after the 20 minute mark when a RCA defensive header fell invitingly on the edge of the area. Michael Armstrong was able to get the shot away which beat Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal but not the crossbar, rebounding back off the upright.

Walton again was the provider just after the half hour mark but his dangerous ball into the box was smuggled away by the Jarrow Roofing defence. Davies went to the opposite flank to take the corner and his inswinging ball was perfect for Beasley to rise at the far post and head goalwards. Beasley’s effort beat Frater and looked to have doubled RCA’s lead before the defender on the post hooked the ball back from behind him and away. RCA were convinced the ball had crossed the line, as were the supporters in line with the action. The dejected expression on the Jarrow Roofing players close to the incident suggested they too thought the effort had registered the only people unconvinced seemingly were the officials who allowed play to go on.

RCA continued to use the flanks to good effect, Davies beat Jarrow Roofing right back Arron Croft to cut into the 18-yard box but his cross was charged down for a corner. Graydon put the corner into the near post for Logan to get the flick. But, as the ball passed across the face of goal no one was able to get the decisive touch and after having much of the possession RCA went in at the break with a slender one goal lead.

Returning after the interval Jarrow Roofing looked to make an impact on proceedings attempting to attack from the off. They kept possession well in spells but rarely threatened the RCA goal and by the time Walton raced through on goal again it looked difficult to see a way back into the game for them. Walton’s second was an almost carven copy of his first. The ball, slid inside the full back allowed him to cut inside taking the ball in his stride and finish emphatically.

Five minute later Logan got the goal that his overall play had deserved. Logan had looked impressive all evening committing the Jarrow Roofing defence with pace, skill and power. After missing an easier chance moments earlier firing straight at the keeper from a Walton cross Logan headed RCA’s third of the night to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal.

Credit to Jarrow Roofing they continued to search for a way back into the match and when RCA substitute Chris Smith needlessly gave the ball away on the edge of his own box Jarrow Roofing sub Peter Watling was able to take advantage, finishing smartly passed Hoggeth.

RCA rounded off the night with something special from Logan. Shrugging of a challenge the forward cut in his the left, step passed a defender on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the roof of the net giving Frater no chance.

RCA comfortably saw out the final few minutes to record a deserved win that keeps them positioned safely around the middle of the table.

Saturday, 22 January 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match

Sunderland RCA played host to last season’s league runners up when Shildon came to Meadow Park. RCA manager Neil Hixon named an unchanged side from the eleven that earned a comfortable 4-1 victory over Jarrow Roofing BCA in midweek.

Shildon began the game positively and in the opening stages looked the better side. Sam Gavie, who’s two goals had been crucial in beating RCA in the league meeting between the two sides earlier in the season, was looking dangerous down the Shildon right. His pace and quick feet, giving him the ability to either go down the flank or cut inside, was causing the RCA defence problems.

RCA’s main first half threat was coming from set pieces. Keith Graydon’s delivery in a 15 minute spell where RCA earned a number of corners and free kicks was excellent but RCA’s attacking presence in the Shildon box was unable to find the crucial touch.

Gavie would be the catalyst in Shildon’s opening goal. The winger carved his way into the RCA 18-yard box and went down after a push from Harrison Davies. Some of the spectators seemed to think it was a soft penalty claim but contact was made and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. Craig Price step up to take the penalty and converted the ball confidently past Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal.

As the second half began the balance of play was tight. A goal from RCA would give them the emphasis whereas the feeling was another Shildon goal may put the game to bed. Shildon created the first opening. Getting in behind Steve Jones Darren Hollingsworth found time to shoot. Hoggeth dived to cover his near side but the ball went out of play off the outside of the post.

Shildon’s second came just after the hour mark. Some resolute RCA defending sent the ball out of play for a corner. The outswinning delivery from the right hand side was deep and the RCA defence misjudged it. Jamie Harwood had hung unmarked at the far post and the ball landed at the perfect height for him to volley towards goal. The ball travelled through a crowd of players without anyone getting a significant touch before smuggling under Paul Talbot, who was guarding the post, and crossing the line.

The second goal did not dishearten RCA who, perhaps as a result, began to look a little more uninhibited in attack. A good spell of possession on the edge of the Shildon 18 yard box provided half chances for Smith, Logan and substitute John Toft but the Shildon defence was proving tough to break down.

RCA finally found an opening with around 20 minutes left on the clock. Joe Walton and Steve Jones linked up well down the RCA right and Walton committed the Shildon left back, cutting inside. Jones had carried on his run, into the space created by Walton, and found himself behind the Shildon backline as the ball spun over. Keith Finch rushed off his line to close the angle down but Jones intelligently lifted the bouncing ball over the Shildon keeper in an excellent finish that halved the deficit.

The majority of the attacking threat was coming from RCA now. After a set piece was hazardly defended by the Shildon back four Carl Beasley, who had been hoping for a delivery to the back post, collected the ball. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and delivered a low cross into the box. The ball failed to beat the first Shildon defender who looked to have handled with his first, controlling touch but the referee waved away the adamant RCA protests.

RCA were finding a lot of possession in front of the Shildon defence but a clear-cut chance still eluded them. Chris Smith, who had come on to replace Davies nearly levelled things late on. Passing the ball around the hard working Shildon midfield Graydon moved the ball out to Smith on the left. Keeping the ball close to his feet he stepped away from the first challenge and cut inside. Smith launched a curling effort towards the far post that forced an excellent save from Finch.

Despite the pressure RCA were unable to find the equaliser and the visitors held on for all three points.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

It promised to be a difficult away trip. Dunston UTS were on a high after reaching the last-16 of the FA Vase when they overcame Runcorn Town with a 3-1 victory away to the North West County’s First Division side. Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon made two changes from the side that lost to Shildon at the weekend. The unavailable Steve Jones was replaced by Scott Richards with James Oates dropped back to fill in at right back and Chris Smith replacing Harrison Davies on the left side of midfield.

RCA started quickly. Keith Graydon fed the ball into Richie Logan who had dropped deep off the defence. Logan turned and ran at the Dunston centre back pairing of Michael Robson and Ben Cattanach. Easing passed the first defender Logan looked up and weighted a perfect threaded pass through for the inside run of Joe Walton. Dunston keeper Liam Connell advanced from his line as Walton took one touch to set himself before striking a clean shot that beat Connell and clipped the top of the upright.

RCA were putting heavy pressure on the Dunston goal and the breakthrough looked inevitable. Controlling the ball on the right Richards was fouled by a clumsy tackle 30-yards from goal. Graydon casually went over to take the freekick and placed the ball perfectly onto the head of Leon Carling on the edge of the 6-yard box for the defender to score.

RCA were passing the ball around Dunston and looking comfortable in possession but after 15 minutes Dunston found a way back into the match. In their first attack of the game Dunston caught RCA with an incisive break away. Picking the ball up on the left Lee McAndrew ran Oates down the flank, outpacing the RCA defender before cutting back onto his right and floating a ball in between Carling and Carl Beasley. Andrew Bulford had pulled off his man and found himself in the space in between the two defenders and stooped to direct the ball into the corner of the net.

The goal gave Dunston more emphasis and they began to exert their presence on the game. Playing to their strengths, the pace on the flanks and the physicality of their play, Dunston began to utilise their wide men and make RCA defend balls into the box. It was from this tactic that Dunston nearly took the lead Bulford again getting his head on a ball into the box. His effort beat Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal but some good positioning from Carl Beasley aloud him to clear the ball away from the line.

Just before half time Logan picked the ball up deep and turned to attack the Dunston defence. Working his way past the first challenge from Robson with a clever one-two with Martin Smith Logan found space between the centre half’s and with Robson now trailing Logan burst passed Cattanach and into the box. Bearing down on goal Loagn was about to pull the trigger when Cattanach ran across the back of him making contact. Logan went down but Referee Mr. Neil Sharp waved away RCA’s adamant claims.

After the interval Graydon really began to orchestrate play in the centre of the park. RCA had begun the second half in the same manner as they had started the first passing the ball well and putting pressure on the Dunston goal.

It would be Duntson who would take the lead though. McAndrew, again, broke away down the left after latching onto a long ball out of defence and with men up RCA were looking exposed. Taking Oates to the byline McAndrew cut back onto his right and crossed into the box. Beasley attempt to win the header leaving space in the area but misjudged the flight of the ball. The cross went over his head and hit off the back of Carling falling perfectly for Steven Pickering to fire home.

The feeling was perhaps RCA would struggle after conceding against this tough Dunston side, the same way as they did in the first half. RCA, however, looked strong after the goal though and continued playing in the same manner as before. The game was end to end for a five minute spell. Hoggeth was forced to make two excellent saves to stop Dunston increasing their lead and Logan’s running across the line was causing all sort of problems for the Dunston defence.

Walton, also, was becoming a menace down the right flank with the Dunston defence struggling to get near him. After outpacing Terry Galbraith Walton fed the ball inside to Martin Smith. With quick feet Smith stepped out of the way of the first challenge on the edge of the area and, with the shot inviting, elected to look square to Logan. With defenders quickly on him Logan was forced to check away from the shot and play the ball into the box for Richards. Richards’s eventual strike was blocked and the ball ran tamely into the hands of Connell.

Minutes later Walton earned a foul on the right after turning Galbraith. Graydon again stepped up to take it and the delivery, curling to the back post, was inviting for Beasley who aimed his header down to beat Connell.

Knowing Walton had the beating of the Dunston left back Graydon and Richards were picking him out with a ball to feet at every opportunity. Walton created the chance that should have put RCA into the lead. Beating Galbraith Walton pulled the ball back to Martin Smith who with his first touch squared it to Logan. Six-yards from goal Logan struck a tame shot, which was comfortably pushed away by Connell.

RCA got the winner with around with around ten minutes remaining. Awarded for an infraction about 20-yards from goal, Chris and Martin Smith worked a simple freekick rolling the ball to Graydon who fired the ball low into the back of the net.

With Dunston committing men forward RCA were finding gaps in behind. Richards threaded a through ball into the channel for Walton to chase. Getting there easily before the defender Walton drove on before squaring the ball to substitute Paul Taylor. Unmarked Taylor took it first time but his effort hit the top of the crossbar and went over before the forward realised he had been flagged for offside.

Dunston hit the bar late on but an equaliser would have been cruel on RCA who, after an eternity of stoppage time, welcomed all three points in lieu of a fixture against league leaders Consett at the weekend.