Saturday, 1 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA travelled across the Pennines to Penrith and returned with all three points, thus maintaining their unbeaten record and remaining top of the league. The game turned out to be a hard fought affair with not a great deal of entertaining football, but a lot of honest endeavour from both teams.

The winning goal, coming in the 58th minute, was a superbly executed header by Davison.

Although RCA started brightly they found it difficult to break down Penrith’s well organised defence and as the game settled down after 10 minutes it was Penrith who started to make in-roads into the heart of RCA defence.

A succession of corners by Penrith produced no end result but when a cross from Ainsworth was punched clear by Hoggeth the ball fell to Allison but his shot went well wide. Within a minute they had created their second chance of the game when a through ball from Bowman found Davidson inside the area but he mishit his shot over the bar.

RCA created their first real attempt on goal after 17 minutes when a high ball into the box by Ellison was flicked on by Davison to Stewart who chested the ball back into the path of Davison but his shot went wide of the target. With both defences on top the game became very scappy and there was little pattern to the game. The home team looked to be very strong in both defence and midfield but lacked the finesse up front. However it was RCA who finished the first half the strongest, A free-kick taken by Stewart caused the first real panic in the Penrith defence as they scrambled to clear, the ball fell to McGuinness on the edge of the box and he fired his first time effort over the bar. Ainsworth then produced a little bit of magic, cleverly beating a succession of RCA defenders with a great dribbling run before forcing a finger tip save from Hoggeth.

Suddenly the game had woken up and a through ball from Richards found Stewart in acres of space and his cross was met by Davison but he could not keep the ball down and his header went over the bar. A minute later and Ellison, who was starting to get to grips in midfield, sent a beautiful ball into the path of Stewart, he advanced into the area before unleashing a terrific shot which in turn produced a stunning reaction save from Holland. The resulting corner was met by the head of Maddison but Holland was again on hand to save and bring the first half to a close.

RCA upped the tempo at the start of the second half and within 2 minutes had forced a corner. Stewart took it short to McGuinness and his cross was picked up at the back post by Beasley whose clever chip beat Holland but drifted just over the bar. A minute later and Stewart ran onto a cross field ball from Jones and his powerful shot looked destined for the bottom corner until Holland somehow managed to get a hand on it and turn it away for a corner.

The moment of pure skill arrived in the 51st minute when McGuinness worked the ball to Stewart on the right, he passed the ball inside to Richards who curled the ball into the area where Davison rose to delicately steer the ball just inside the post and out of the reach of Holland. RCA were rampant now and a long throw from McGuinness found Richards who laid the ball into the path of Ellison but he struck his shot wide. McGuinness then went on a surging run which ended in a thunderbolt of a shot from 35 yards which Holland did well to keep hold off.

Penrith were reeling from this onslaught, but with Ainsworth and Coleman on the pitch they were dangerous on the break and this was shown to good effect in the 68 minute when Coleman headed into the path of Ainsworth and hit well struck shot from 25 yards out was brilliantly saved by Hoggeth.
A minute later and the two combined again, this time to set up Gray but he fired well wide of the target. To the relief of the RCA defence Coleman was replaced by Gill.

Holland was again brought into action when Walton burst into the area and drilled the ball straight at the Penrith keeper.

A lovely piece of skill by Ellison saw him tip-toe past a number of tackles on the edge of the area before finding space inside the area but his shot flew high over the bar. Holland, after such a good display, almost became the hero at the other end when his long clearance, following a RCA corner, found Davidson in space inside the RCA final third and only some desperate defending by Ellison and Jones prevented him from getting into a goal scoring position.

This type of defending is what is setting RCA apart from other teams at the moment, there are no lost causes.

A surging run by Stewart on the right wing saw him cut inside before shooting but his effort was blocked by Gray.

Both teams looked to have given their all as the game entered the last five minutes and no further chances were created.

Another hard fought win by RCA and a good display by Penrith who made it difficult for the lads all afternoon. As Mr Hixon said, “sometimes you have to grind out results and win ugly and that’s what we have done today”.

Tuesday, 04 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

The old cliche that there are no easy games in the Northern league has been well demonstrated in RCA's last two games. Marske came with a game plan, tore it up after five minutes and proceeded to give us a lesson in attacking football. Bruised, Battered and Bewildered at half time and lucky to be only 1-0 down things couldn't get any worse? They did as Marske went 2-0 up. With 20 minutes to go super substitutions made, throw caution to the wind and see what happens. RCA score two could have scored more in final throw of the dice but are really lucky tonight to come away with a draw. Marske will bemoan the fact that, but for some magnificent goalkeeping by Hoggeth, they should have won this match comfortably in the first half.

RCA once again started a game slowly only this time they were punished as Marske took the game to them.

Within three minutes Marske had taken the lead when a cross from Bradley to the far post found Brunskill who headed back across goal for Wheatley who made no mistake from five yards out. A shocked Meadow Park then witnessed a display of excellent passing and gritty determination from the Marske players which had the RCA team chasing shadows. It wasn’t until the 17 minute that RCA put together a cohesive attack when Davison won the ball on the right and crossed into the box but Ellison in a great position 10 yards out fired the ball high over the bar.

Marske immediately went up the other end and Brunskill, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turned quickly and got in a tremendous shot which Hoggeth did well to keep hold off. Hoggeth was called upon two minutes later as a Marske corner was cleared by Oates it fell to Wilson 20 yards out and his rasping shot was brilliantly saved by Hoggeth but the ball fell into the path of Gell who fired his shot at an empty goal from 5 yards out but Hoggeth somehow managed to get both hands on the ball and turn it away for a corner. Unbelievable double save.

From the resulting corner kick Ormorod got in a powerful header but once again Hoggeth was equal to the task.

It had been almost constant pressure from Marske up until this point so it was a relief to see the ball at the other end and Stewart forcing a corner which was taken by Walton to the far post where Beasley's header looked all over a goal but Willey managed to produce a wonderful save and Roberts cleared.
Brunskill had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 when he picked the ball up inside the area but fired wide of the target.

RCA were starting to create a little more as the game wore on and Stewart was unlucky with a 25 yard shot which had the keeper beat but thundered just past the post.

Few chances were made in the closing 5 minutes of the half as the game got bogged down in midfield and mistakes by both teams in the final third made it relatively easy for the respective defences.

Marske started the second half as they had started the first and should have been 2-0 up within three minutes of the restart when a cross from Burton found Mcgill in space but he directed his header wide of the upright. However, it was not to be and RCA responded straight away and a great run from Walton saw him clear in the Marske area, he squared the ball to Davison who curled in a shot which went narrowly wide.

The game was opening up now and in Marske’s next attack the ball was rolled to Raw but his shot was turned round the corner by Hoggeth. The resulting corner from Bradley saw Hoggeth punch clear but the ball was returned into the box by Brunskill, in the ensueing goalmouth scramble McGill kept his head and cool as you like despatched the ball into the net.

2-0 down and seemingly no way back for RCA.

Queue substitutions, Owens and Jennings on for Oates and Cuthbertson, formation change to 3-3-4 or 3-2-5? Not really sure but never mind it seemed to do the trick as within a minute Walton’s cross to the far post was headed into the side netting by Owens.

In the 70 minute a cross from Stewart found Walton inside the 6 yard box but his volley was well saved by Willey. Marske were not to be denied and forced four corners in succession each one dealt with by the RCA defence.

The quick thinking of Hoggeth, throwing the ball to Ellison on the halfway line, split the Marske defence and Ellison was able to pass the ball to Stewart inside the area but he shot into the side netting.
Marske were awarded a freekick 40 yards out and Raw chipped in a perfect ball for Brunskill who volleyed goalward but once again Hoggeth was on hand to save, the ball fell for McGill but his shot was cleared off the line by Jones.

RCA were throwing caution to the wind and when they were awarded a free kick 35 yards out everyone but Hoggeth and Close went forward. Ellison crossed to the far post where Maddison rose to head across the face of goal and Stewart with the deftest of touches guided the ball past Willey.
From the restart RCA regained possession and the ball was played out to the right where Jennings beat a defender before setting up Stewart but the wingers shot was tipped over the bar by Willey.
The game had moved full circle in the space of 5 minutes and Marske were finding it difficult to come to terms with the new look attack of RCA and it was no surprise when Owen slipped past a tackle before passing to Davison inside the area and the RCA leading goalscorer drifted past two defenders before slotting the ball home 2-2 and game on.

Marske responded with a golden opportunity when Raw sent Brunskill clear but Hoggeth was brilliant again and pulled off yet another save to deny the visitors. Both teams had claims for penalties turned down as they went in search for the winner on both occasions it looked as if there was no intent on the part of the defender. The match finished all square which did not really reflect the performance of Marske who would feel that they should have won comfortably. However I am sure that they would have settled for a draw before the game, as for RCA the reason that they remain unbeaten in league is their desire and passion to keep this run going and also the team spirit which has been evident from the start of the season. No prima donnas just a bunch of honest, hardworking players.

Saturday, 8 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

The thirteenth league game of the season proved to be unlucky for RCA as they lost their unbeaten record to West Auckland Town in this dramatic STL Northern League match. RCA reverted to a 4-4-2 formation with Jennings coming in to replace Ellison and fit again McGuinness in for Oates.

West Auckland started the game with a bang scoring after two minutes when Francis fired them ahead after the RCA defence could only clear the ball to the edge of the 18 yard area. RCA hit back, and in the 10 minute a cross from Stewart found Jennings, but he fired wide of the target. A minute later Richards picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and went on a run beating two defenders before laying the ball in to Jenning who turned sharply but once again shot wide.

As the game progressed RCA started to get their passing game going and Walton and Jones combined to set up Stewart whose powerful shot was excellently saved by Barlow, West Auckland's impressive young keeper.

At the other end RCA defence had to be on their mettle as West counter attacked at speed and in the 25th minute Hindmarsh burst past Jones to send in a dangerous cross which was met at the far edge of the box by Banks but his shot went well wide.

On the half hour Stewart cut inside his defender before sending in a tantilising cross which was well met by Davison but his header went narrowly over the bar. In a repeat of this move two minutes later Davison's header hit the base of the post and went wide.

The pressure was building on the West defence and the best move of the half started with Walton passing the ball to Davison who back heeled it to Stewart who then laid it off to the advancing Walton who tried to place the ball in the bottom corner, but only succeeded in putting it inches wide of the upright.

The goal that had been threatening came in the 37 minute when Stewart once again threaded the ball to Jennings in space inside the area and this time the forward took full advantage to smash the ball home.

West, who had shown only glimpses as an attacking force after scoring in two minutes suddenly woke up and equalised within six minutes when they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box. Brown stepped up and fired the ball low into the bottom corner to stun the home team.

A minute later and it could have been even worse as Hindmarsh beat the offside trap and only some stirling work by Maddison and Mcguinness stopped him from scoring and the ball was forced away for a corner. From the resulting corner kick Hall rose to power in a downward header which was brilliantly saved by Hoggeth.

Two minutes into the second half and young Daniel Hindmarsh had to be carried off the field in agony following an innocuous challenge, reports suggest that it could be ruptured ankle ligaments. The game was delayed for five minutes while he was attended to and an ambulance was called. Everyone at RCA trusts that he has a speedy recovery.

RCA went looking for the equaliser and a great cross from Walton flashed across the face of goal with three RCA forwards all unble to apply a finishing touch.

West extended their lead, against the run of play, on the hour mark when sub Moffat headed into the path of Brown who drilled a superb low effort into the bottom corner. If RCA were shocked at going 2-1 they were devastated at being 3-1 down and a mountain to climb. In the 68 minute RCA were denied what looked like a clear penalty as Hall tripped Jennings inside the box but the referee waved away the protests. However, in the 72nd minute RCA were awarded a penalty when sub Owens was brought down by Hall, Owens picked the ball up and slotted it past Barlow.

RCA took control of the game and should have equalised when Davison set Stewart up but the winger fired into the side netting, then a lovely through ball by Ellison found its way to Owens but his shot was well saved by Barlow.

Moffat had a great chnace to put the game to bed when Brown crossed into the box and Moffat controlled the ball but fired straight at Hoggeth.

In the dying minutes RCA had two great chances to equalise the first when a shot from Davison was deflected for a corner and the scond in the last minute when Ellison sliced the ball wide from a couple of yards out.

RCA will feel that they deserved more out of the performance and on another day they would probably have won comfortably, but take nothing away from West who stuck at it for 90+ minutes and the scenes of jubilation that greeted the final whistle from the West team showed how much the win meant to them.

RCA will take away a lot of possitives from this game, they continue to create chances, their passing and movement is still good and they are moving the ball to the forwards a lot quicker.

Saturday, 15 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Man of the match, Marc Ellison carries the ball forward to mount another SRCA attack.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA stayed at the top of the league after staging a tremendous comeback against Whitley Bay at Hillheads. Undeservedly 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go they secured the win with a scintillating display of attacking play that had the 600+ crowd mesmerised. Goals by Lee Owens (2) and Bryan Stewart in a 10 minute period rescued all three points. The overall team performance was breathtaking.

The question on everyones lips was how RCA would respond to their first league defeat at the hands of West Auckland last week. The response by the players was emphatic in this superb display.

The manager made two changes to the side beaten last week, bringing in Ellison and Owens for Richards and Jennings.

RCA almost had a dream start as Stewart dribbled past two defenders before crossing into the box where Davison forced a save from Hayes. The resulting corner, taken by Stewart, found Davison free at the back post, but he could only direct his header over the bar. With RCA making the best start to a match for a number of weeks, Whitley Bay were forced to defend very deep and in the eighth minute Stewart cut in from the left wing before unleashing a terrific drive which brought yet another save from the young keeper.

Whitley Bay were finding it extremely difficult to get the ball out of their half as RCA continued with their relentless forward play. Stewart was having a field day on the left wing and when he dribbled past three players and squared the ball into the path of Close it should have been 1-0, but Close mishit his shot wide of the goal.

A through ball by Ellison found Davison inside the area and he turned and fired goalwards, but once again Hayes was there to make an important save. It was 15 minutes before Whitley Bay contributed in an attacking sense when Reid crossed into the box looking for Chow but Hoggeth was alert to the danger and collected easily. A minute later and that man Stewart once again crossed into the area and Owens headed just over the bar from 8yards out. RCA were building up the pressure and when Ellison won the ball in midfield he clipped in a delightful cross which Davison met with a great header by Hayes pulled off a truely amazing save turning the ball round the post.

Whitley Bay, relatively quiet up until the 23 minute suddenly burst into life and it was Kerr who orchestrated from midfield as he first fired in a shot which Hoggath did well to turn for a corner, which Maddison was forced to head behind for a second corner. When the ball came into the area Bell rose highest and his downward header was deflected goalwards by Kerr, but Jones cleared off the line.
The momentum looked to have swung Whitley Bay's way as they won yet another corner and this time Hoggeth elected to punch clear, the ball fell to Kerr who's shot was blocked by Ellison and the ball ran loose to Chow who also had his shot charged down by Maddison.

In the 33rd minute Whitley Bay took the lead when Reid fed the ball to Kerr and the Bay striker hit a screamer of a shot from 35 yards out which hit the bar and rebounded into the path of Scroggins who made no mistake firing into an empty net from eight yards. RCA, although stunned by this goal, mounted another assault on the Whitley Bay goal, but were unable to really penetrate a well organised defence, Owens was unlucky with a good run but his final shot lacked any power and was comfortably saved by Hayes.

The closest RCA came in the final five minutes of the half was when Stewart cleverly turned the full back before cutting the ball back for McGuinness but his curling effort was always going just wide of the far post.

Whitley Bay came out of the dressing room on fire and only a superb save by Hoggeth from Robson kept the score at 1-0. Within a minute Williams, on a rare excursion forward, fired in a shot which went wide of the upright.

In the 50th minute Bell fired over from 20 yards out and a minute later a long clearance from Hayes saw Bell challenge for the ball with Hoggeth and the Bay forward won the duel to nick the ball past the keeper before squaring the ball to Scroggins for a simple tap in from two yards. Game over one would have thought, but RCA showed their character and reacted in the only way that they know how, by attacking.

Ellison sent Stewart away down the left wing and his low cross was mis-judged by Hayes who could only parry the ball into the path of Owens who made no mistake from 10 yards out. Game back on. RCA threw caution to the wind and Cuthbertson forced a corner which Stewart crossed towards the far post and, with no apparent danger, a Whitley Bay player punched the ball away. Up strode Owens to tuck away the penalty.

A minute later and the comeback was complete when man of the match Ellison once again made a slide rule pass to Davison inside the area. Davison looked to be fouled by Timmons, but the ball broke to Stewart who capped a great display by firing in from eight yards.

RCA looked back in control and started to pass the ball about trying to dishearten the Bay players, but to their credit they never gave up chasing and Scoggins and Bell both had chances to equalise, but their respective effort went wide of the target. In the closing minutes Jennings had a chance to kill the game off but he fired narrowly over the bar.

The game finished as it had started with RCA on the attack. Overall a very good performance and a well deserved three points.

Saturday, 22 October 2011

FA Vase 1st Round Proper

The Bedlington keeper punches clear as RCA try to come back from 2 - 1 down.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA were away to Bedlington Terriers FC in FA Vase in what was billed by many to be the tie of the round in the North East.

The management team were forced into a number of changes as Ian Maddison failed a late fitness test, Carl Beasley’s wife was in labour, leading scorer Mark Davison was on holiday and the shock news that Marc Ellison wanted to move to Shildon meant he had ruled himself out of the game. John Butler, Andrew Cuthbertson and Andrew Jennings were brought in as replacements with Steven Jones moving inro a central defensive role.

After last week's excellent display against Whitley Bay more of the same was expected.

From the first whistle Bedlington went on the attack and forced a corner in the first minute. The ball was whipped into the area and Flynn sent a powerful header over the bar. Hoggeth was called upon a minute later when Shandran cut the ball back to Bowey on the edge of the box and his low shot was saved at the foot of the post. Bedlington danger man Shandran was on hand again this time having a go himself, but the ball flew wide of the far post.

As the game settled down RCA started to make inroads into the Bedlington defence and a flick from Jennings found Owens, but his effort was scrambled away. Jennings then did well to retrieve the ball near the goal line, but his cross was easily cut out by Novak.

Both teams were playing some good football at this point, but it was Bedlington who looked to be posing the greatest danger when going forward.

It was Graham who gave Bedlington the lead in the 20th minute when a ball over the RCA defence found Graham one-on-one with the keeper and he produced an inch perfect chip over Hoggeth and into the empty net.

RCA’s problems were doubled a minute later as Graham headed the ball into the path of Hubbard who fired home a first time volley from the edge of the box. The Terriers at this stage looked in great form and RCA were being blown away by the attacking play of their opponents. They almost went further ahead when a cross from Elliott found that man Graham again on the edge of the box, but this time his first time effort came back off the Bar and was cleared.

RCA came back towards the end of the half and Walton got in a good cross which found Owens at the far post, but the RCA striker needed to long on the ball and was closed down by Elliott.

At half time Bedlington were certainly worth the two goal lead and RCA never looked like a table topping team.

The second half started with Bedlington straight on the attack and it only took five minutes of the second half for them to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty when Jennings was alleged to have caught Novak - very dubious as the defender went over very easily. Shandran stepped up to score his 20th goal of the season, sending Hoggeth the wrong way in the process.

This looked to rejuvenate RCA and they, for the first time in the match, got going as an attacking force and it was Jennings who scored when he deflected a Walton shot into the bottom corner.

RCA, possibly thinking of the comeback last, started to put pressure on the Bedlington goal. Walton crossed into the box and found Stewart at the far post, but his effort was well saved by the Keeper. Within a minute Owens got the better of Flynn for the first time in the match and his effort went narrowly wide, a second goal at this stage of the game would have put a different complection on the game.

As the half wore on RCA were the more dominant and only a finger tip save by Morton denied Richards his firct goal of the season.

With time running out RCA threw caution to the wind and went all out attack leaving only two defenders to look after the three man attack of the Terriers and they paid the ultimate price when they were caught well into injury time as a ball across the edge of the box found English in space, and with only the keeper to beat he produced a clinical finish.

Bedlington deserved to go through on this performance and good luck to them in the next round.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA relinquished their status at the top of the league, falling into third spot behind West Auckland Town and Dunston UTS, who leap frogged into second spot courtesy of a dismal first 45 minutes by RCA.

The return to the team of Beasley, Maddison and Davison did little to stop the flow of excellent football produced by Dunston, who found themselves 1-0 up inside the first minute and continued to batter RCA for the remainder of the half.

A different RCA team emerged from the dressing rooms for the second half and could well have salvaged a point. However it was not to be and but for some brilliant keeping by Gary Hoggeth the scoreline could have been much worse.

Dunston started this top of the table clash at a terrific pace and forced the first corner within 30 seconds of the whistle when Maddison blocked a shot from Dixon. The corner was whipped in by McAndrew and was met by the unmarked Young who flicked his header through a crowd of players and into the net. It could have been much worse four minutes later when McAndrew skipped past two defenders before crossing into the area where Dixon rose to power in a header which rattled the crossbar.

RCA composed themselves a little as they tried to get to grips with the pace of the game and when Owens slipped the ball to Davison, his shot rebounded to Cuthbertson whose first time effort was blocked by Robson.

The waves of pressure from Dunston started again in the 20 minute when a slide rule pass from Craggs found Bulford on the right and he cut the ball back into the path of Shaw who curled his shot wide of the upright. Two minutes later and McAndrew crossed the ball to Dixon but, under pressure from Beasley he fired over the bar. Things did get worse in the 26th minute when RCA lost the ball in midfield and after a succession of ricochets the ball fell to the lively McAndrew who ran to the by line before crossing the ball into the box for Craggs to head home from six yards. Dunston were well on top and went looking for the goal that would kill off the game, but the more they attacked the more gaps they were leaving in their defence and on the half hour McGuinness tried to exploit this with a lovely cross into the area, after a quick break away, but Davison's header went wide with Clark beaten. RCA's best chance so far came when Jennings crossed to the far post and the ball was headed back into the danger zone by Owens but Walton was unable to connect with the ball and Dunston scrambled the ball clear. Back came Dunston through that man McAndrew again, his cross found Craggs who’s header looked destined for the top corner but Hoggeth somehow managed to tip the ball over the bar.

As the half entered its last five minutes, RCA, for the first time, started to exert some real pressure on the Dunston defence. Walton burst through two defenders and fired in a low shot which Clarke did well to push round the post for a corner. Owens floated the ball into the box and for the first time Jennings got to the ball first, but his downward header was scrambled off the line by Galbraith for another corner. The third corner was whipped in and headed away by Robson but only as far as Maddison who blasted his shot wide.

The start of the second half was almost a replica of the first, except that Bulford fired wide and there was no early goal to Dunston. Whatever was said to the RCA players at half time worked as they started to get their passing game together and when Cuthbertson found Walton with an exquisite pass the RCA winger cut inside before unleashing a shot which went narrowly wide. Then came the moment that gave RCA hope, a pass from Jennings found Owens inside the box and as he tried to turn the defender he was fouled and a penalty was awarded; cool as you like Owens picked himself up and fired high into the net to throw RCA a lifeline.

How the game changed as Dunston became nervous at the back and RCA powered forward, a slick interchange between Close and McGuinness saw the latter fire in a trade mark left foot shot which went narrowly wide. Within a minute a cross from McGuiness was punched clear by Clark with Davison only inches away. The ball fell to Robson who in turn found Bulford in the centre of the park and he threaded the ball through to McAndrew who beat Hoggeth, but saw his shot cleared off the line by McGuinness.

Clarke was again called upon in the 70th minute when a flick from Jennings found Shields who pulled the ball back into the path of Davison but although the ball took a deflection Clark was able to turn it round the post. The corner was cleared by Swailes, but fell to Cuthbertson who found Owens on the left wing, he crossed into the six yard box for Davison but Swailes was again on hand to block the shot and the defence cleared the ball.

As the game entered the final five minutes RCA pushed forward and Dunston counter attacked to great effect. A cross from Shields was met by Owens, but he could only steer the ball into the arms of Clark. His huge clearance found McAndrew who squared the ball for Bulfard three yards out, but miraculously Hoggeth saved; the ball rebounded to Dixon who looked certain to score, but Hoggeth was able to gather the ball and set up another RCA attack.

This game once again demonstrated the team spirit at RCA. However, we have to stop giving teams two goal leads before we start to play.

Saturday, 29 October 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA captain Carl Beasley ensures that the Tow Law winger turns back towards his own goal

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA once again showed their inability to start well and lost control of the game in the first half, although it took two superb saves from Robinson in the "Lawyers" goal to keep the score at 2-1. In the second half RCA could not breakdown a very resolute Tow Law defence and for all their possession and control they could not find the target to equalise.

The Lawyers stated their intent within two minutes of the start with a well worked passing move which saw Jamieson feed the ball into the path of Davison and his well struck shot from 20 yards was tipped over the bar by Hoggeth. RCA responded with Stewart picking up the ball from a throw in cut inside the defender before unleashing a terrific drive which was brilliantly saved by Robinson in the Lawyers' goal. Two minutes later, Jake Henderson looked to fall awkwardly on the slippery surface and was escorted off the pitch with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. While down to 10 men the Lawyers struck when a cross to the far post found Jameison who headed the ball back across the face of goal and Dixon was on hand to volley home from close range.

Not content with this the Lawyers started to play some really good football and RCA had to dig deep to stay with them.

Slightly against the run of play RCA got an equaliser when Shields picked up the ball mid way in the Lawyers' half, carried the ball 20 yards before passing to Owens whose shot was well saved by Robinson, but the rebound fell kindly for Stewart and he tapped in from three yards. The game went into a bit of a lull as both teams battled to gain the initative but neither seemed to have the ability to get a stranglehold on the game.

The Lawyers eventually took the lead with the simplest of goals, a cross into the box from Robson was headed home unchallenged by Luke Thompson. A minute later and it could have been worse for RCA as Halliday picked up a loose ball and fired the ball inches wide. At the other end Davison struck a beautiful free kick inches over the bar with the keeper beaten. Then came the turning point in the game, as the match entered the final minute of the first half, a brilliant run by Shields into the box ended with him passing the ball to Owens, his shot was heading for the top corner, but Robinson somehow managed to tip the ball onto the bar, the ball rebounded to Shields who chipped the ball onto Davison's head and the forward looked in disbelief as Robinson managed to palm his header over the bar. An unbelievable double save which gave the Lawyers a big boost just before half time.

RCA began the second half as they finished the first and laid siege on the Lawyers' goal. A Beasley freekick was met by Davison, but once again Robinson saved only to see the ball go straight to Owens two yards out, but the RCA forward mishit his attempted shot wide.

The Lawyers were forced to defend in numbers as RCA mounted attack after attack. Stewart was unlucky with a shot which went over the bar then a brilliant cross field ball found Shields on the left and he cleverly slipped the ball to Stewart but he could only direct his shot straight at Robinson. Cuthbertson got in on the action with a curling shot which went narrowly wide and Oates was unlucky with a header which was saved by Robinson.

In the 65th minute Hoggeth was called upon to save from Robson as the Lawyers broke away for the first time in the second half.
Jennings, on for Owens, showed some silky skills as he danced past three defenders to get into a shooting position but then blasted the ball high over the bar. The same player then received a wonderful ball from Shields inside the area, he turned but once again fired over the bar.
The Lawyers were now defending desperately as RCA piled more and more players forward in an attempt to get the equaliser, the pressure was relentless but the final product always seemed to be missing and when they did break through the superb Robinson was on hand to make the saves and calm everyone down.

The final five minutes where hectic and frustrating for RCA as they pushed forward and chance after chance went begging, Stewart, Walton and Jennings all had half chances and on another day they would have converted at least one of them. Unfortunately it was not to be. Nobody could deny the commitment and the endeavour that was on display, especially in the second half, but there was also a determination and grittiness from Tow Law Town which in the end gave them the three points