Saturday, 3 December 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA right back Adam McGuinness clears the ball in the first half of Saturday's game against Newton Aycliffe.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA went back to the top of the first divison with a heart fought victory against a very good Newton Aycliffe team. Few teams will come away from Newton Aycliffe Sports club with three points this season.

It took two terrific first half strikes by Davison and Benjamin to secure the win and break the hearts of the home team who had enough chances to at least have secured a draw.

RCA made one change to the squad who won convincingly in mid week, Paxton replacing Henderson in central defence.

Newton Aycliffe started well forcing RCA to defend in numbers, however it was not until the eighth minute that the home side really threatened, when a defensive mistake gifted the ball to Gardner, who squared the ball to Jardine, but the Aycliffe striker fired wide of an empty net. RCA looked to have weathered the storm and were making in roads into a very shaky Aycliffe defence.

Gardner had his first sight on goal in the 18th minute as he whacked a 25-yard half-volley goal wards, but Atkinson saved comfortably.

In the 20th minute a cross from Walton was headed over by Benjamin, as RCA started to take control of the game. Two minutes later and the lively Benjamin turned inside the defender to fire in a shot which Pocklington got a foot to and conceded a corner. Walton took the corner and Davison running across the face of goal was able to flick the ball into the net, the ball taking a slight deflection off Campbell.

RCA went further ahead when a long ball found Benjamin on the edge of the box, he controlled the ball superbly before turning his marker and then drilling an unstoppable low drive past the despairing dive of Pocklington and into the far corner or the net.

For all their endeavour Aycliffe could not find a way to breach the RCA defence and did not look like scoring. RCA, at 2-0 up, looked reasonably comfortable.

Aycliffe started the second period on fire as they went at RCA and within a minute Campbell forced a great save from Atkinson and following up in the goalmouth scramble he could only force the ball over the bar with Oates and Close closing him down. RCA were once again having to defend deep and in numbers as Aycliffe asserted some pressure and Atkinson was called upon again to make a finger tip save from Gibson after some good work by Jardine. From the resulting corner Craddock rose highest in the area to meet Broom’s corner, only to see his effort cannon back off the face of the crossbar and Oates managed to clear to safety.

This was to be their last real effort on goal as RCA got to grips with the midfield and started to attack at will. Benjamin latched onto a through ball from Cuthbertson, rounded the keeper, but fired into the side netting. Shortly afterwards RCA were forced to make a change as Davison was substituted, hobbling off after a late challenge left the RCA forward with a badly swollen ankle.

Cuthbertson once again showed his vision as he found Owens with a sublime pass with the outside of his foot. Owens' cross into the box was narrowly headed over by Benjamin and minutes later the ball fell to Cuthbertson who, from 35 yards out, struck the ball goalward and it took two attempts for Pocklington to get the ball under control.

As the game petered out Broom, who had been very effective on the right, beat McGuinness before cutting the ball back for Jardine, but once again he fired over the bar.

RCA must be pleased to come away from Aycliffe with a clean sheet. We have also found a midfield partnership that works brilliantly and complements a great strike combination. Long may it continue.

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

On a bitterly cold night, Sunderland RCA showed the battling determination and team-work that has been the hallmark of their season thus far. They continue to astound even their most ardent admirers with their unbelievable away form. Unlike the two Manchester teams, who crashed out of European competitions last night, RCA showed that they have players who can respond when the going gets tough.

What a revelation Andrew Jennings was, brought in to replace the injured Mark Davison, his presence up front contributed greatly to the success of the team. Once again when the chips were down up steps Brian Close, leading by example and typifying RCA's belief in themselves this year.

For 25 minutes of this game RCA were under extreme pressure from Bedlington as the home team looked to repeat the 4-1 drubbing dished out earlier in the season. Stewart, wide on the right, was causing problems and maybe should have done better when, after five minutes, he cut inside McGuinness before tamely shooting well wide of the target. A similar move two minutes later saw Stewart pass the ball this time into the area to Shandran who was closed down quickly by Oates and the striker fired over the bar.

The home supporters didn’t have long to wait for their prolific striker to get on the score sheet, a sublime through ball from Carr evaded the RCA defence and Shandran ghosted in behind Oates to steer the ball past Atkinson.

In the 23rd minute, dangerman Shandran picked up the ball on the edge of the box, turned and crossed into the area; it took some excellent defending by Jones to turn the ball over his own crossbar when under pressure from Baptist. Eventually, RCA responded and in the 25th minute a cross into the box by Walton found Jennings who turned and fired in a low shot which was saved by Pickering. Within a minute Pickering was called into action again when Benjamin found room on the left and his on target shot was parried away by the keeper and Flynn tidied up.

The tide was turning as Close and Cuthbertson got hold of the midfield. A superb move in the 30th minute should have resulted in a goal as Walton, Cuthbertson, Close and Owens combined to get the ball into the area where Jennings was unlucky to see his shot narrowly miss the target with the keeper beaten. Back came Beddlington, Stewart clipped the ball into the path of Shandran who laid the ball off for Bowey, his shot was somehow saved by a combination of Atkinson and Oates and the ball fell kindly into the arms of the RCA keeper.

RCA scored from the subsequent clearance as Atkinson launched a long ball upfield. Owens was able to get a neat header into the path of Benjamin and the RCA striker made no mistake from eight yards out. Five minutes later and RCA could have made it 2-1 when an Owens freekick went inches over the bar.

If the first 25 minutes belonged to Bedlington then RCA commanded most of the remaining 20 minutes and the game was evenly balanced.

RCA continued their comeback with a great second half display that had Bedlington reeling from the 50th minute when Jennings controlled the ball and set up Benjamin, but his effort was well saved by Pickering. Three minutes later and Benjamin set up Close, but his effort went wide.

On the hour mark there was a brilliant piece of improvisation as Bengamin brought the ball down with his left foot then clipped it forward towards Walton on the edge of the box. The RCA winger managed to play a one two with the shin of the Bedlington defender before blasting the ball past Pickering.

With a number of substitutions made Bedlington started to get back into the game. A free kick by Stewart was headed over by Carr and a Shandran header was saved at the second attempt by Atkinson. Shandran, who was still causing some problems, had a shot deflected for a corner by McGuinness and then RCA went down the other end and had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away.

In the last minute of the game Bedlington almost secured a draw when a cross into the box found Elliott, but he skewed his shot wide.

RCA deserved all three points for a brilliant second half performance.

Saturday, 10 December 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA forward Andy Jennings opens the scoring in the first half of the match.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA entertained Billingham Synthonia at Meadow Park this afternoon and were looking to maintain their push for a top six place. The management team were again forced to change a winning team by bringing in youngster Liam Dunn to replace Steven Jones at right back. After their mid-week success at Bedlington, RCA were sitting on top the the pile and everyone in the league will be looking to shoot them down; Synners were no exeption and anyone who thought this was going to be an easy game were to be sadly mistaken.

As early as the second minute, RCA had a chance when Cuthbertson played the ball foeward to Benjamin and his shot was well saved by Synners’ keeper Moody, who got a hand to the ball and then reacted to smother it under pressure from Jennings. Synners found their feet and a cross into the box by Gardner was saved at the feet of Dalton, who was spoken to by the referee for his follow through, the ex-RCA man was then booked a few minutes later for an innocuous challenge.

RCA opened the scoring in the 10th minute when a ball to the edge of the area from Walton saw Jennings beat Moody to the ball and the RCA striker was on hand, as the ball bounced free, to stroke it home into an empty net.

Synners’ regrouped and almost immediately a right wing cross from Earl caused problems in the RCA defence. Oates headed clear, but the ball fell to McWilliams who crossed into the area, but Dalton could only head wide of the target.

A good move between Close and Cuthbertson saw the ball played to Jennings and his shot was acrobatically saved by Moody and although the rebound was heading goalwards he was able to recover and complete the save. Synners’ tried to up their game and a move between McWilliams, Earl and Blyth resulted in the striker firing in a low drive which was destined for the bottom corner until Atkinson, scrambling across his goal line, managed to get a hand on the ball and turn it round the post for a corner. From the corner the ball fell to Gardner, but his shot which deflected wide by Cuthbertson who was injured in the process and had to be replaced by Shields. RCA were forced to rearrange their midfield and it seemed to have the desired effect as Walton in the centre of midfield found Jennings on the left wing his first time ball to Benjamin was supurb and then Benjamin passed to Owens who was bearing down on goal from the right wing but the usually reliable winger fired wide.

On the half hour mark, RCA once again broke down the left and this time a well delivered ball to the left side of the area was headed into the path of Owens who again found himself in space and had time to pick his spot as he fired into the corner of the net.

RCA were looking to extend their lead as half time approached and Alex Benjamin had a couple of chances, firstly firing over in the 36th minute and then forcing a wonderful reaction save from Moody before lobbing the rebound onto the roof of the net. Synners responded well with McWilliams picking out Earl inside the area but again Atkinson saved at the strikers feet.

RCA could not believe that they did not score a third goal when McGuinness drifted a corner to far post. Jennings headed the ball back across the face of goal, the ball struck Benjamin on the back of the leg and the Synners defence were able to clear. The half finished with a Gardner cross from the right to Earl, but he was unable to get a good connection on the header which went over the bar.

The second period opened in explosive fashion as Walton threaded a ball through to Benjamin, who controlled it and appeared to have taken it round the keeper, however Moody somehow managed to get a fingertip to it and Horseman was able to clear. Within a minute a cross from Shields was headed clear by Wray with Jennings in close attendance.

Synners came back at RCA and in the minutes as lovely pass from Dalton found Blyth inside the area, but McGuinness was able to clear the danger. Then a defensive mistake let in Blyth again and this time the striker hit the side netting with a snap shot from 10 yards out.

RCA were building up pressure on the Synners defence, a succession of corners needed to be well defended as RCA threw bodies into the box looking for the goal that would secure the game, but the Synners defence stood firm, with both Wray and Hillerby outstanding.

Synners came forward searching for a goal, but when they got past the defenders they came up against Atkinson who was in top form. Gardner had one effort charged down. Benjamin had another effort in the 70th minute when he latched onto a defensive clearance before trying to chip Moody, but his effort went agonisingly wide of the upright.

Synners’ threatened again in the 80th minute, but again Atkinson was left untroubled as Liddle sent Earl through, but his shot was easily saved by the keeper. Then a Dkiouak ball in from the right saw the ball cleared with Earl bearing down on goal.

RCA, who had utilised the height of Jennings to great effect all afternoon, once again employed this method and the big striker forced a corner. McGuinness fired in the near post cross and Close got a head to the ball but it cannoned off Horsman for another corner, this time Jennings rose well to head down, but the ball lacked power and Wray was able to clear up field.

The last chance of the game came to RCA when Jennings, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired in a shot which was deflected wide for a corner. The corner was partially cleared to Jennings on the edge of the box, but he fired well wide of the goal.

A very entertaining and competitive match, played in the right spirit and RCA earned another three points with their philosophy of hard work and team work reaping dividends.

The opposition's view: click here for the match report on the Billingham Synthonia web site.

Friday, 16 December 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

A superbly struck Stephen Flockett own goal in the 93rd minute gave RCA a share of the points on this dreadful night.

The experiment of playing on a Friday night was somewhat scuppered due to the weather conditions and it was only the dedication of a few hardy members of the management team and supporters that made the pitch playable. The 63 supporters who did brave the weather were rewarded with an exciting game which had everyone on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

With Andrew Cuthbertson injured and Alex Benjamin somewhat surprisingly transferred to Jarrow Roofing, RCA brought in recently signed Mark McLeod and Mark Davison returned after injury to spearhead the attack.

RCA entertained Billingham Town who are languishing third off bottom in the league, but whose recent performances have given renewed hope to the faithful. A late inspection by referee Paul Brown deemed the pitch playable and the match was on.

RCA took advantage of the slope in the first half and were immediately on the attack with Owens going past the full back to deliver a cross into the box but both Jennings and Davison were unable to connect and the ball went for a goal kick. A minute later and this time it was Jennings supplying the cross and Crossman was forced to head over the bar for a corner The same player cleared the corner kick to Onions who ran unchallenged before crossing into the area but Atkinson was alert to the danger and plucked the ball out of the air with ease.

A freekick on the edge of the box was taken by Davison, but he fired straight at Briggs in the Billingham goal.

RCA almost opened the scoring in the 19th minute when a cross into the box by Owens found Davison who controlled the ball well before turning and shooting into the side netting. RCA were awarded a freekick a minute later in an identical spot from the one which Davison took earlier this one was taken by Owens who fired over.

Control of the game was firmly in RCA's hand at this point as they forced a succession of corners, the first taken by McGuinness saw Crossman defending well to head away for another corner. Again McGuinness crossed into the box and this time it took a fingertip save to force another corner. This one was taken from the other wing by Walton, but his cross into the box was cleared by Butterworth and the resulting shot from Owens went well wide.

RCA finally took the lead in the 27th minute when danger man Owens fired a low drive into the box and Jennings with the deftest of touches beat the Briggs at the near post. Two minutes later and the same combination produced a great save from Briggs. It was all RCA as they went looking for goal number two and Jennings forced another save from Briggs on the half hour.

Billingham Town having weathered the storm, or maybe come to terms with the pitch, started to assert some pressure on the RCA defence who had hitherto had very little to do. O’Brien went on a run before crossing to the far post where Onions rose above the RCA defence but headed over the bar. Two minutes later and Onions became provider as he slipped the ball into the path of Butterworth and his effort from 12 yards had Atkinson scrambling to save.

In the 40th minute Billingham were level, a freekick was floated into the six yard box by Cronesberry, Atkinson chose to punch and the ball fell to Owens whose shot was blocked by Oates, the ball fell for Onions 18 yards out and he hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal. In the last five minutes of the half Billingham took control and were unlucky when a Cronesberry freekick went narrowly wide.

Both teams looked eager to get the second half started as they both appeared after 10 minutes in the dressing room or maybe it was just that it was a bitterly cold night and they wanted the match started to try and warm up.

RCA had the first real chance of the second half as Walton raced clear from a Close pass, one on one with Briggs, Walton fired on target but the Billingham keeper managed to get a foot to the ball and steer it wide for a corner. Owens took the corner and found Davison at the back post but his header was cleared up field to Martin who held the ball up before bringing in Onions, but Paxton was alert to the danger and cleared the ball.

On the hour mark Billingham town took the lead when a cross into the box was initially cleared by Oates, who collided with Martin, with both men down inside the six yard box, the ball fell to Owens who fired the ball back into the box and it looked to come off one of the players lying on the floor before nestling in the bottom corner of the net.

Billingham looked to close the game down and kept it very tight at the back and for all their endeavour RCA could not breach the resolute Billingham defence.

In the 85th minute substitute Flockett had a great chance to put the game out of reach as he fired in a shot from the edge of the box which struck the crossbar and went over.

RCA must have thought that they had equalised in the 88th minute when Jones crossed to the far post, both Jennings and Davison went up, who ever made contact saw the ball hit the inside of the post before travelling along the goal line and Gamble cleared.
The final twist in the tail came in the third minute of injury time. Owens went to go past O’Brien inside the area, the full back made a great tackle and the ball spun to Flockett who was facing the wrong way and the Billingham substitute mishit his clearance straight into the bottom corner of his own goal.

RCA rode their luck at time tonight and in the end were rewarded for their endeavours with a draw. Billingham can take heart from this performance and kick on from here; they are a good team who maybe need a little bit of luck.

Monday, 26 December 2011

STL Northern League Division 1

RCA continue to struggle at home with another below par performance in very windy conditions. It has to be said that South Shields adapted to the conditions better than RCA and in the end probably deserved to win although the story could have been a lot different if the referee hadn't turned down a cast iron penalty call a minute before South Shields opened the scoring. (Where was Howard Webb when we needed him?)

RCA were forced to make a number of changes to the team, Jones was replaced at right back by Oates, Beasley came in to central defence and Cuthbertson returned after injury in the heart of midfield.

In the opening five minutes of the game RCA were unlucky not to be 2 - 0 up as Walton cut inside before unleashing a shot which went narrowly wide. A minute later Jennings slipped the ball to Walton inside the area, but Cunningham in the Shields goal was aware to the danger smothering the ball at the winger's feet.

Shields started to dominate possession and a through ball from Fitzpatrick found the lively Morrin on the edge of the box; his on target shot was excellently saved by Atkinson. Two minutes later Shields were awarded a freekick some 20 yards out. Wightman lined up the shot, but curled his shot well wide. Wightman was at the centre of Shields next attack utilising his long throw to cause panic in the RCA defence who could only clear the ball back to the striker, but he fired wide.

In the 19th minute Close combined with Cuthbertson to get the ball wide to Owens who cut inside only to be brought down by Fraser, it looked inside the area, but despite the RCA protests the referee awarded a freekick outside the box. The freekick was fired into the wall by Davison and eventually into the arms of Cunningham. Cunningham quickly sent the ball to Smith who found Morrin with an inch perfect pass and the Shields winger crossed into the box for Wightman to finish off the move sliding the ball past the despairing dive of Atkinson.

Shields continued to take the game to RCA and Colvin was unlucky with a cross shot which flashed past the far post. RCA, tried to develop their play keeping the ball but it was difficult in the windy conditions and more often than not attacks were being broken up in midfield. Both Owens and Walton had great crosses into the box but Davison and Jennings were unable to connect and the Shields defenders cleared up.

In the 36th minute RCA should have equalised when Walton found Oates inside the area his cross was fired goalwards by Davison bringing a superb reflex save from Cunningham. The ball fell to Oates inside the six yard box, the RCA defender, instead of shooting, decided to pass the ball to Jennings who mishit his shot and the ball was cleared off the line.

Shields finished the half on top as RCA defended valiantly to keep the score to 1 - 0 at half time. Morrin and Wightman both had chances to increase the scoring but Atkinson did well to push the ball for corners on both occasions.

RCA took the game to Shields at the start of the second half and it took some outstanding defending to keep them at bay. As first Walton set up Cuthbertson 15 yards out, but the midfielders shot went wide. RCA forced a number of corners. McGuinness found Jennings with the first, but he headed over. Then a long corner to the far post was headed into the side netting by Oates.

The longer the half went without an RCA equaliser the more frustrated they became and Shields were always likely to make things difficult on the break.
In the 64th minute Shields went further ahead when they were they were awarded a freekick on the halfway line, the ball was floated to the far post and Fraser slotted home from close range. RCA once again picked themselves up and tried to get back into the game putting Shields defence under constant pressure but they were unable to breach the resolute defending of Scope and Fraser. RCA substitute, Shields almost scored with his first touch of the ball but his shot took a wicked deflection and went for a corner.

In the 87th minute Cuthbertson gave RCA a lifeline when he fired in from 20 yards after a goalmouth scramble. For all their huff and puff RCA did not create another clear cut chance and it was at the other end that Barclay missed a great chance to make it 3 - 1, but he fired wide.

Shields new management team of King, Picton and Di-Lella seem to have worked a bit of magic with the Seasiders and they have them defending very well. RCA will go back to the drawing board and look forward to the next match.