Jarrow Roofing BCA FC 0 Sunderland RCA FC 3

12 November 2011

Northern League Division 1

RCA left back Ian Davidson wins the ball to begin an attack

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA got back to winning ways at Boldon Colliery on Saturday, halting a run of three league defeats, which had been punctuated with two cup wins, and also kept a clean sheet for the first time since the 1 – 0 win at Penrith on 1 October, though had Roofing's finishing been accurate this would surely not have been the case. The three points maintain our league position as teams around us also collected maximum returns – it's tough at the top.

The team saw another début. Richard Paxton, who has moved from Shildon in a straight swap for Ian Maddison, started alongside James Oates in the centre of defence, with new boys Neal Atkinson, Ian Davidson and Alex Benjamin at goal keeper, left back and centre forward positions respectively. Steve Jones was our familiar right back, with a midfield four of Brian Close, Joe Walton, Andy Cuthbertson and Adam McGuinness, with Mark Davison the other centre forward. In the second half, Lee Owens came on for Ian Davidson, who had to come off because of a knee injury, with Adam McGuinness slotting into the left back slot, and Andy Jennings came on for Joe Walton, with Alex Benjamin moving right. Scott Richards, Carl Beasley and Kyle Donaldson made up the bench.

Jarrow Roofing started the match like a whirlwind, causing some panic in the RCA defence, but their shooting was not on target and RCA cleared their lines. On first blush it seemed like we would be in for a tough afternoon, but route one with an excellent kick down field from keeper Neal Atkinson, was well controlled by Mark Davison who turned and fired past the Roofing keeper. This early blow for the home side was quickly followed when another kick out from Atkinson broke to Adam McGuinness, unmarked in the left of the area, to slot home.

The quick brace must have shocked Roofing, but their spirit was far from broken and they kept plugging away in what was, although entertaining, a largely scrappy game. That said of the new players, Richard Paxton looks to be a solid presence in defence, Ian Davidson is clearly a good acquisition and Alex Benjamin certainly looks the part up front, with good running and control. Neal Atkinson looks to be a strong keeper who will command his area.

Although Roofing did not give up, any prospect of turning the match around was put to bed when Alex Benjamin beat offside to collect a through ball with only the keeper to beat. It was a classy finish with the ball neatly chipped over the keeper. A nice one to get off the mark with for RCA and more will certainly follow.

So, the team got us what we needed – a win and three points. There is more work to be done to get back the cohesion of the early season displays, but Neil and his team now have two weeks to work on that before we return to league action against Norton + Stockton Ancients at home on Saturday 26 November, followed by Guisborough Town, also at home on Tuesday and Newton Aycliffe away on the next Saturday. Just a bit to prepare for then! By that time the usual standard of match reporting will have returned.

A quick update on keeper Gary Hoggeth. Gary's GP now thinks that his hernia problem is not the cause of his discomfort and an operation is not needed. He is being treated for the cause of the pain. Good news - and a headache for Neil.