Sunderland RCA FC 2 Shildon AFC 2

Saturday, 13 August 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

The opening day of the new season saw RCA paired against Shildon and for those who witnessed last season's matches between the two clubs an action packed and competitive game was envisaged.

Both teams have been reformed over the close season although there were still a lot of familiar faces on view.

The game itself was action packed with RCA reduced to nine men after Beasley was dismissed for a mis-timed challenge after eight minutes and Barton followed him to the changing room after 38 minutes following a clash with a Shildon defender. However the remaining RCA men performed heroically and were only denied all three points when Shildon equalised in bizzarre circumstances in the 92nd minute.

This match report will not be able to do justice to a truly pulsating football match, but here goes.

In the first attack of the game a long ball from Beasley was expertly controlled on the chest by Barton, but his effort on the volley went sailing over the bar. RCA took heart from this and Finch had to be at his best to take a cross from Walton, with both Davison and Barton in close attendance.

Shildon’s first attack saw Scott skip past Halliday before firing in a shot which went wide of Hoggeth’s goal and a minute later Hoggeth produced a good save despite being kicked in the face by Gredziak.

In the eighth minute, Watson intercepted a pass from Jones and sprinted clear of the defender, Beasley spotting the danger raced across to put in a poorly timed challenge which resulted in the RCA captain receiving his marching orders. The resulting freekick saw a header from Hunter easily saved by Hoggeth. RCA hastily re-shuffled their remaining three defenders moving Jones into a central role in a 3-4-2 formation.

Shildon took control of the midfield, but RCA were still dangerous up front with the Shildon defenders unable to cope with the presence of Davison and Barton.

In the 19th minute Scott once again got free of his marker and played a one-two with Watson before firing straight at Hoggeth. His long clearance found Walton on the right and he cut inside before unleashing a shot which was bound for the top corner only to strike Hunter and rebound for a throw in.

The game was flowing from end to end. Despite the man advantage Shildon could not produce a clear cut opportunity in front of goal and were being frustrated by a very organised RCA defence.

Richmond and Johnson combined in the 35th minute to produce an effort on goal, but the looping shot cleared the bar for a goal kick.

The game took a dramatic twist in the 38th minute when a high ball down the wing was competed for by Barton who looked to win the ball, however the referee, Mr McCallum, adjudged that he had used his elbow to gain an advantage and dismissed the RCA player. With only seven minutes remaining in the half RCA reorganised again, but maintained a threat up front with Davison.

In the 43 minute a cross field ball from Maddison found Davison on the left, with only one defender to beat, he instead chose to cross the ball to the far post where Walton was on hand to steer a wonderful header past the bemused Finch.

1 - 0 at half time and still 45 minutes to go.

RCA brought on defender John Butler at half time for the attacker Davies in a clear indication that they were prepared to defend their slender lead.

Shildon started the second half in controlled fashion, looking to pry open the nine men of RCA, but they looked to have got their tactics wrong as time and again RCA were able to clear their lines and seemed to be able to find frontman Davison with ease.

It is a testament to the superb defending that it wasn’t until the 63 minute that Shildon had a worthwhile effort on goal when a thunderbolt of a shot from Hunter looked to be heading for the roof of the net only for Hoggeth to finger tip it over the bar.

From the resulting corner Hoggeth could only punch the ball under pressure and it fell to Gredziak who’s first shot was blocked by Maddison, the ball came back to him and Hoggeth saved with his legs and his third shot was cleared of the line by Butler to the relief of the RCA players and supporters.

Shildon continued to pile on the pressure, but in doing so were leaving themselves open to quick counter attacks, one of which saw Walton feed the ball through to Davison, but he fired wide.

Shildon moved Hunter into a more attacking role and he was unlucky once again with a shot which flashed wide of the upright. A shock looked on the cards in the 81st minute when RCA took a 2-0 lead, Davison won a throw in on the right and this was thrown to Walton who found space to get in a cross which Owens did well to head home despite the close attention of three Shildon defenders.

Whether RCA relaxed a little or Shildon’s luck changed is debatable, but they got a goal back within two minutes when Paxton was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range.

Shildon poured forward looking for the equaliser, but the resilient RCA defence were standing firm under a bombardment. Maddison was on hand to clear one effort from Byrne and a minute later was able to put in a brilliant tackle to deny the same player a shot on target.

In the second minute of injury time a long ball was sent into the box and looked to have been dealt with by the RCA defence, however the header struck the back of Hughes and bounced over the line for a goal to Shildon to make the score 2-2.

This was a game which had spectators, players and officials on the edge of their seats and the passion shown was admirable.

On Wednesday, RCA move on to another potential blockbuster at Consett.

As always we will look forward to meeting Shildon later in the season at their ground, four epic matches in two seasons bodes well for the next meeting between the two sides.