Thursday, 3 May 2012

STL Northern League Division 1

Sunderland RCA completed a fantastic season of football with a home win against FA Vase finalists Dunston UTS.

With leading goalscorer Mark Davison struggling with a stomach strain the manager brought back the livewire that is Gary Shields to partner Andy Jennings up front.

Dunston, as expected, made a number of changes to their squad, after their chances of winning the title were eradicated on Monday night when they were defeated by Spennymoor who claimed their third title in a row.

After the rain of last week the pitch was looking remarkably well for this rearranged League match with Dunston UTS.

With nothing but pride to play for the two teams set out to entertain a small, but nonetheless knowledgeable crowd.

RCA were first on the attack with a well worked move which saw the ball played from Close to Jones who cut the ball back to Walton who fire his shot over the bar from 25 yards. Five minutes later and a slide rule pass from Close found Jones bearing down on goal but Cattanach was able to get a block tackle in and the ball rebounded to safety.

Dunston eventually found their feet and a McAndrew cross had to be headed over the bar for a corner by James with Preen in close attendance, from the corner Swailes managed to get in a powerful header which was blocked and cleared by McGuinness. Within a minute Cattanach sent Preen clear with a superb 40 yard pass and it was only a brilliant recovery from McGuinness which prevented Preen from shooting home. Once again from the corner Swailes rose highest to head goalwards but his effort was cleared off the line by Paxton.

In the 24th minute Shields picked the ball up 35 yards out and attacked the Dunston defence before cutting the ball back to Davidson inside the area but the RCA winger hit his shot wide from a great position. The game became bogged down in midfield as the two defences got on top and little goalmouth action was evident. It was becoming a typical end of season 'nothing to play for' match. This all changed just before half time when a long ball from McGuinness fell between Jennings and Robson, Jennings was able to hold off the challenge of Robson before volleying the ball into the net giving Clark no chance from 12 yards.

At half time Walton was replaced by Jardine and Shields was dropped back into a midfield role. The second half started with Dunston, kicking down the slope, putting pressure on the RCA defence and it took a good save from Atkinson to deny Craggs. In the 50th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box and Shields curled a lovely shot just wide of the far post. Back came Dunston with Craggs starting to cause problem down the right, he cut inside Mcguinness and then sidestepped the tackle of James before firing wide. Two minutes later and McAndrew on the left was given time to send in a cross which was headed into the side netting by Cattanach. Dunston were starting to get on top and on the hour mark were unlucky not to equalise when Herron set up Goddard, but the Dunston striker was only able to direct his effort straight at Atkinson.

Having weathered a five minute onslaught RCA fought back and Jardine made the Dunston defence work overtime when he pounced on a through ball from Paxton, beat two defenders before checking his run. Dunston were able to get bodies back and the attack was repelled when Jardine's pass to Davidson was intercepted. This run seemed to give RCA confidence and Jennings forced a great one handed save from Clark and the keeper was able to collect the ball at the second attempt with Shields closing in on the ball.

In the 80th minute Dunston equalised with a goal of true simplicity. A poor ball by Davidson was intercepted by Hume; he passed the ball to Brooking who crossed to the far post where Hume was able to head back across the goalmouth to Herron who scored from inside the six yard box.

Dunston almost claimed the winner three minutes later when Davidson was once again guilty of a sloppy pass, this time intercepted by Young who slipped the ball to Bulford and his pass found Craggs, but he shot weakly wide of the post.

As the game entered the final minutes Shields received a pass from Close, was able to create space before sending in a great cross which beat the Dunston defenders and keeper to land perfectly on the head of Jardine and from six yards out the RCA striker was able to head home his first goal for Sunderland RCA in the last minute of the last match of the season.

This was not the best game of the season, but another RCA win sees them finish in fourth place with 88 points and who would have predicted that before the start of the season.

It has been a remarkable season for all concerned at the club - players, management team and committee - and we have been well supported this season with our average gates going up once again. We can only hope to emulate this next season and try and improve our performances in cup competitions. Thank you for your support this season and we look forward to another successful campaign in 2012 - 13.