Norton & Stockton Ancients FC 0 Sunderland RCA FC 3

Saturday, 24 March 2012

STL Northern League Division 1

Flying high, like his team, RCA's Steve Jones leaps into play in the second half of the match

Scorers: RCA Davison (16) (81) Walton (45)

RCA remain on top of the STL Northern League Division 1 courtesy of this hard fought win making it 11 unbeaten and although not a vintage performance RCA were well worth the points at the end of the day.

The management made no changes to the starting liine up from the mid week match against Benfield, although Tom Berj was available and took the place of Liam Dunn on the bench.

A Davison brace and a goal on the stroke of half time By Walton were enough to see off "The Ancients" and once again the front two of Davison and Jennings performed magnificently, causing the opposition defence problems all afternoon. Jennings in particular seems to have found the sort of form that made him much sort after a couple of seasons ago.

The match was only thee minutes in when the referee stopped play and requested that Jennings leave the field of play as he was wearing cycling shorts that were a different colour to the team colours. Unfortunately for him the ball didn't go out of play for another five minutes and the referee quite rightly only allowed him back onto the field of play once the ball went out for goalkick. (Being waved back on is only allowed after a player leaves the field of play after treatment for an injury). This was probably the only bit of entertainment in a rather drab first 15 minutes as both teams sounded each other out.

The game then sprung into life when Atkinson fed the ball to Jones who carried it for 20 yards before sending in an inch perfect cross on to the head of Davison and the RCA leading scorer headed home past a stranded Porter in the “Ancients” goal.

Norton battled back and forced a corner when Jones was forced to concede as Alexander ghosted in at the far post. From the corner Alexander rose above the RCA defence to head towards goal, but Close was on hand to clear off the line. RCA stepped up the pressure with Walton and Oates combining on the right, Walton swung in a cross which found Davidson free at the far post but the RCA defender snatched at his shot and it went well wide.

Norton were unlucky not to get back into the game a minute later when a cross into the box from Martin caused panic in the goalmouth and in the scramble that followed Magowan prodded the ball towards goal and this time it was Beasley who cleared off the line.

The last ten minutes of the half were almost constant pressure from RCA as they built up momentum. A fierce drive by Walton 30 yards out went wide of the target, then Jones and Walton created another opening for Davison, but his effort went wide. In the last minute of the half Close found Davison in the box and he in turn played the ball to Jennings, but his shot was well saved by Porter. His clearance was won by Oates deep in RCA territory; he brought the ball down on his chest before playing a exquisite ball through to Walton on the half way line. The RCA winger collected the ball and outpaced the Norton defence before slipping the ball past the helpless Porter.

The second half opened as expected with Norton taking the initiative, Scott played a great ball into Jameson in the opening minutes, but the Norton forward was guilty of rushing his shot and fired over. Then a move involving Scott and Magowan ended with a great tackle from Paxton.

It took ten minutes of the second half for RCA to get to grips with the Norton midfield and then an effort from Walton sailed over the bar followed by a brilliant save from Porter as Davison and Jennings carved open the Norton defence with a breathtaking piece of skill. Davison turned the defender before finding Jennings who had time to chest the ball down before volleying at goal and forcing the save.

Norton’s best spell of the game was to follow, Martin took a freekick 30 yards out and Beasley was forced to head the wickedly curling cross over the bar. From the corner Gott headed over the bar. Within two minutes Scott picked up a loose ball inside the RCA half and ran at the defence before slipping the ball to Alexander who tested Atkinson from 25 yards out.

Norton were looking for a foothold into the game and continued to press forward. Substitute Huggins, returning after a long time out through injury, was instrumental in their next chance when he deftly turned the ball to Furness who returned the ball and he slipped in a telling cross which Alexander headed into the side netting. Five minutes later Huggins and Scott combined with the latter sending in a lovely ball to Magowan who headed back across goal forcing Atkinson into a great save at the second attempt.

RCA looked to have weathered the storm when Oates won the ball in midfield to head into the path of Davison who shot wide from 25 yards. Norton came back again and Scott, who was having an inspirational game, had an effort blocked by Paxton at the expense of a corner.

RCA wrapped up the game with nine minutes remaining when Man of the Match Jennings, controlled the ball on the edge of the Norton box before cleverly wrong footing two defenders by flicking the ball, with the outside of his foot, back into the path of Davison who steered the ball home from eight yards out to make it 3-0.

RCA could have had another as Shields raced clear of the Norton defence and passed the ball into the box for Walton, but Mulligan was able to get a foot to the shot and send it out for a throw in.

In the final minute Jameson forced a good save out of Atkinson.

RCA six points clear at the top, makes for an interesting finale to the season.