Horden CW 1 Sunderland RCA 1

skilltraining Northern League

27 December 2008

'It was a good result. I would have settled for a point before the game. - Manager, Neil Hixon

'This keeps our run going - undefeated in six games.' - Chairman, Owen Haley

Sunderland RCA earned a well-deserved draw with Horden CW at Welfare Park.

On a gloomy December day, RCA lined up with their now customary 3-5-2. Horden were quick to show and had good midfield possession without really troubling RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth, although they used dead balls effectively. At the other end, RCA mounted some good attacks.

On ten minutes a good move down the left ended with Mark Davidson taking a good cross shot, which the Horden keeper did well to dive to his left to save. Fifteen minutes later a good corner from the left was spilled by the keeper, but eventually Horden cleared their lines. On 35 minutes an RCA free kick led to the ball being cleared for a left wing corner, but this was cleared by Horden. With half time a minute away the referee seemed to miss a blatant handball by Horden and then awarded a dubious free kick to Horden on the edge of the RCA penalty area. The ball was pushed left and the resulting well taken shot was parried by Gary Hoggeth, but Horden followed up to force the ball home.

Horden threatened early in the second half, winning a corner from the kick off, which was only half cleared and Gary Hoggeth had to gather the following cross.

On 52 minutes RCA were unlucky not to equalise when the ball broke to Andy Jennings whose early taken shot came back off the cross bar with the keeper well beaten. A minute later and Horden were threatening again with a strong shot causing Gary Hoggeth to dive to his left, parry and gather the ball at the second attempt. On 60 minutes Andy Jennings had the ball near the Horden corner flag. Harried by two Horden defenders there was the usual cry of 'He's going no where!', but he was. Very skilful footwork beat the two defenders and Andy ran into the box squaring the ball across the six yard box. Unfortunately the final touch was just missing.

Four minutes later, more skillful work from Any Jennings led to a left wing corner. On 68 minutes RCA finally got the equaliser their play deserved. Micky Lawson, who had come on as substitute for Andy Reay three minutes earlier, threaded the ball through for the on-rushing Mark Davidson, whose powerful run beat two defenders. Running through the centre, Sparky fired powerfully past the Horden keeper.

On 73 minutes it looked as though RCA might take the lead as a throw in on the right led to a powerfully hit shot, but straight at the keeper. Horden exerted sustained pressure in the last ten minutes of the match and came closest when they headed against the cross bar from a right wing cross on the 86th minute.