Sunderland RCA FC 0 Newton Aycliffe FC 0

Saturday, 3 March 2012

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA's left winger Adam McGuinness in the first half of the match

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match

Sunderland RCA entertained fifth placed Newton Aycliffe FC in this top of the table clash. Only one change was made for the match with Berj replacing the injured Briggs in the centre of midfield.

In a game were both defences emerged on top once again RCA were guilty of dominating for long periods of the game without the strikers being able to score.

This was expected to be a tight game in much the same vein at the previous encounter this season at Moore Lane. Both teams are enjoying very good seasons with a chance of finishing in the top six.

RCA took the early initiative when a surging run by Walton was stopped at the expense of a corner by Craddock. McGuinness sent an in swinging corner across and it was punched out by Richardson only as far as Davison, but his volley was blocked by John Close.

Within a couple of minutes Walton once again ran at the Aycliffe defence this time he fed the ball to Davison on the right wing, Davison fired the ball across the 6 yards box towards Shields but the RCA number 10 was inches away from connecting to open the scoring.

Having survived that scare Aycliffe fought back with Tarling sending in a great pass to Mellanby he in turn set up the ball for Wilson, but his goalward shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Brian Close. RCA were awarded a freekick two minutes later which James took, firing in a low shot which took a deflection and was finally cleared off the toe of Davison by Craddock.

The game was starting to liven up now and Aycliffe came close when Tarling set up Wood and he forced a great save from Atkinson. At the other end a McGuinness cross was punched out by Richardson only as far as Davison who was brought down by Gray just outside the area. Davison got up and took the freekick but Richardson was aware of the danger and made an easy save.

As both defences started to get on top chances were in the middle part of the half were almost non existant as each attack was quelled by the respective devences. Paxton and Oates with Brian Close held the Aycliffe attack at bay and the same could be said at the other end where Craddock and Jogn Close were outstanding.

However as the half come to and end there was a dramatic five minute period, McGuinness who had been relatively quiet was givenn the ball by Berj and the RCA winger cut inside the defender before manoeuvering the ball onto his left foot to drive the ball low, unfortunately, Richardson was in supurb form and pulled off a terrific save.

A final flurry from Aycliffe saw Oliver fire wide from a good position and then the moment of the game thus far when Gray sent a speculative ball forward, Wood controlled the ball before slipping it sideways to Wilson who produced a delicately placed shot which looked to be dipping under the crossbar and would have had it not been for the brilliant intervention of Atkinson in the RCA goal as he somehow got a finger tip to the ball to divertit over the bar for a corner.

The second half was much the same as the first with RCA probably having the lion share of possession but the Aycliffe defence looking reasonably comfortable in dealing with the threat in the final third.

Brian Close had a 30 yard effort which went well over the bar and Jones bursting through beat the last defender but his cross went past everyone in the box and was cleared up field.

A left wing run by James saw the RCA defender beat two players before crossing to the far post where Walton looked odds on to break the deadlock but once again an acrobatic save from Richardson kept Aycliffe in the game.

Aycliffe almost snatched a winner when Gray threw the ball to Byrne, his clever through ball caught the RCA defence out and Gray was able to get to the by line before cutting the back to Wood, he sidestepped the tackle of Oates before blasting the ball goalwards, Atkinson made the save at the near post but the ball bounced clear to Owen who pounced on the loose ball but was guilty of firing over with the goal almost at his mercy.

As in the first half the game seemed to come alight in the final five minutes and when RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box it looked in an ideal position for either Davison or James to strike at goal. Both players stood behind the ball. It was James who stepped forward and hit a terrific shot which took a wicked deflection before hitting Richardson on the knee before sailing high over the bar. The first shot was going in, the deflection was going in and how the ball went over the bar from a foot out was unbelievable.

The game ended 0-0 and it has to be said that both keepers get great credit for that scoreline.