Spennymoor Town FC 1 Sunderland RCA FC 0

03 September 2011

FA Cup Preliminary Round

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

This was great match to watch and a credit to the STL Northern League. Had it been a boxing match then RCA would have won comfortably on points. However, Spennymoor go through to the next round courtesy of a thunderbolt of a shot from 25 yards out by Jamie Harwood. This was the one and only effort on target by Spennymoor in the 90 minutes.

RCA were thwarted in their efforts by some superb saves from Spennymoor keeper Craig Turns: two one on ones against Jennings and Shields and a penalty save from Davison.

RCA were again forced to make changes to the team with the suspensions of Barton, Owens and Beasley taking effect from today. Maddison returned to the heart of the defence, and Jennings, Davies and Ellison all started. Moors also made a number of changes with Chris Mason, Keith Graydon, Anthony Peacock and John Alexander all recalled for this match.

RCA statrted brightly kicking up the slope in the first half and only a brilliant save from Turns kept a ferocious Davies shot out diving at full stretch to push the ball around the post.

Moors were unable to get their passing game into full swing and this in the main was down to great determination in the heart of RCA's midfield.

Alexander did get past the defence after 25 minutes, but his shot was cleared by Jones.

Within a minute a long ball into the Moors box saw Davison rise to power a header inches over the bar with Turns beaten, then a surging run from Harwood ended with a great cross but no one was in the box and the ball went harmlessly wide.

The game was really flowing from end to end and was a great spectacle for the neutrals in the crowd.

As Moors improved their passing they looked to be pressing RCA back and it was during this spell of pressure that the winning goal was scored in the 33rd minute as Harwood's thunderbolt of a shot from the edge of the box went through a crowded goalmouth and into the back of the net, giving Hoggeth no chance.

RCA responded by taking the game to Moors. Jennings went close withh a snap shot which went wide and then Davison was unlucky when a tremendous shot was blocked by Peacock.

RCA were then awarded a penalty when a Davies ball into the box was adjudged to have hit the arm of Laws and the referee awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for RCA Turns was in scintillating form a made a great save from Davison. Before that Moors had a penalty appeal turned down when the referee missed a handball in the area.

In the second half RCA enjoyed long periods of possession but they didn't trouble Turns again until Jennings struck a superb shot from 25 yards that beat Turns, but crashed off the post and rebounded to safety. RCA were showing why they are on top of the league at the moment with some absolutely fabulous football and Moors to their credit were showing the determination that is their trademark.

RCA continued to dominate possession but were restricted in their efforts on goal. They were also susceptible to the quick counter attacking game from Moors.

RCA must have thought they had equalised when Davison fired goalwards and the ball hit Dodds and in the goalmouth scramble that followed Dodds was again on hand to clear the ball with Turns beaten.

Moors did create chances themselves when Laws had a half volley shot cleared off the line, then a great run by Johnston set up Ruddy who in turn laid the ball off to Peacock but his deft chip over Hoggeth landed the wrong side of the post.

The best chance of the second half fell to RCA's sub Shields, who beat the offside trap and looked
certain to score as he moved into the box but his shot was superbly saved by the feet of Turns.

RCA were left to rue the missed oppotrtunities in this match, but as one spectator stated as he left the ground "just look how far RCA have come in the last two years, and no superstars".

We have now set our own benchmark with displays like this and it is up to everyone associated with the club to help maintain this progress.