Wednesday, 28 September 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
RCA's team had a familiar look about it for tonight's visit to Stokesley Sports club. Ian Maddison was recalled to central defence and new signing Kieran Edwards was given his debut when Scott Richards informed management that he would not be in time for the kick off due to work committments.
The night had a peculiar feel to it, a lovely warm evening more in keeping with mid July not the dying embers of September.
RCA started like a house on fire and should have been in front in the opening minute when Walton raced clear and his first time cross was met by Stewart whose shot rebounded of the underside of the bar into the path of Davison, but the RCA striker lifted his shot over the bar.
On cue the floodlights went out and the match was held up for 10 minutes while running repairs were carried out. The game resumed when all but one of the lights were operational.
RCA were almost caught in the fourth minute when a slick move on the right saw Upton cross for Porritt who seemed to have acres of space; he took to long lining up his shot and Jones was able to deflect the ball for a corner.
Stewart cutting in from the left fired straight at Hutchinson and the ball fell to Walton who squared the ball to Davison who turned a fired in a shot which went narrowly over the bar.
Stokesley mounted another attack through Upton and when the ball fell to Murphy he struck a tremendous drive which brought a terrific save from Hoggeth who turned the ball round the post. The resulting corner was well met by Murphy, but his downward header was easily saved by Hoggeth.
RCA started to exert real pressure on the Stokesley defence who were finding it difficult to cope with the slick passing game.
In the 15th minute Walton once again set up Stewart, but he fired straight at Hutchinson. This was to be a dress rehersal for the goal that seemed inevitable. a crossfield ball picked out Walton who crossed to Stewart and this time he made no mistake hammering the ball low into the bottom corner.
It was one way traffic now with Hoggeth a virtual spectator. However the resilience of the Stokesley back four meant that they were still in the game.
McGuinness almost made it 2-0 when a surging run ended with a thunderbolt of a shot from 35 yards which was magnificently saved by Hutchinson and his quick reflexes denied Davison as he pounced on the rebound.
A minute later and a long throw from McGuinness was flicked on by Stewart to Walton who fired over from 10 yards.
The pressure intensified as half time approached and when Jones forced a corner it was the signal for RCA to commit men forward, from the corner Maddison rose head and shoulders higher than anyone else to power in header which Hutchinson could only watch nestle in the back of the net.
RCA were not finished and in the 43 minute (seems to be a pattern developing around this time) they went 3-0 up when a forward run by Jones saw his well struck shot saved by Hutchinson but Davison was on hand to tap in from five yards.
RCA introduced Jennings in place of Davison and Stokesley brought on substitute keeper Hubbard for Hutchinson.
RCA seemed too relaxed as the second half got underway and Stokesley sensed it. Porritt, who had moved to outside left seemed to be getting a lot of the ball and was causing RCA problems. In the 48th minute Porrit cut inside, laid the ball to Holbrook who's shot went narrowly wide. RCA responded with a clearance to Stewart who crossed into the area and the unmarked Walton from inside the six yard box somehow managed to miss the target.
Stokesley were making a game of the second half and when the ball fell to Upton his first time effort went narrowly wide.
RCA brought on Richards for the influential Close.
Within a minute a pass from Richards found Stewart on the left and his cross was headed over the bar by Edwards who looked to pull up sharply clutching his thigh and he was replaced by Carling.
A pass of sublime quality from Ellison, split the Stokesley defence and fell inch perfect to Walton and he made no mistake this time slotting the ball past Hubbard.
RCA's makeshift midfield were loosing their grip on the game and Stokesley, for the first time on the night were actually on top. During this period Hoggeth was called upon to make a great save from Murphy and when the ball fell to Melvin he looked certain to score as he fired the ball at an empty net but Maddison was on hand to head away and the ball rebounded off a Stokesley player for a goal kick.
Porritt then cut inside again and unleashed a shot which went wide and a minute later it was his pass to Melvin who created room for himself before firing in a low grasscutter which beat Hoggeth and settled in the bottom corner.
From cruise control to panic stations in the space of 5 minutes RCA did not look like a top of the table team and only the some good defensive work by the industrious Ellison made sure that Stokesley did not add to their tally. Ellison once again found Walton on the left and his cross was met by Stewart who steered it into the net. Panic over, midfield re-organised Ellison supurb, business as usual.
Jennings finished off the scoring in the dying seconds of the game converting a cross from Richards.
Not one of the best games in the world to watch and certainly we have seen better performances than that witnessed in the second half.
The journey home had a feeling of deja-vu as we went on a little jaunt through the wilds of Middlesborough, lost our way a little, but were very soon back on the right track and heading home, happy with another three points and a healthy goal difference.