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Durham County Challenge Cup
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Another Jekyll and Hyde performance, as the same team who won so well at Northern League First Division West Auckland last week went down to a 2-1 defeat at Wearside League outfit, Jarrow FC.
Take nothing away from Jarrow, they were a committed and hard working group of players, and a credit to their club, but nonetheless with the amount of possession we had in the game we really should have come out comfortably on top. RCA had a good start as well, with decent possession from the kick off eventually leading to a very well worked Lee Owens goal after only seven minutes. Young Michael Chapman got down the left after a good passing move orchestrated by Buddy Halliday, and delivered an excellent cross which was well finished by Lee coming in on the back post.
But a few minutes later a mistake by Dava Lee, who will have nightmares about his attempted crossfield ball, led to Jarrow equalising after good quick passing and a solid finish. 1-1 after 12 minutes.
The rest of the first half saw mostly RCA possession, with good chances for Jennings and David Tait, but with Jarrow always dangerous on the break.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, we had most of the ball, got plenty of crosses in, but couldn't get a finish, while Jarrow always looked to exploit the pace of their front men on the counter.
A scramble on 50 minutes saw the Jarrow bar and post struck in quick succession, while on 55 minutes Jarrow struck the bar.
Lee Owens ran at the defence constantly, without always producing good balls for the forwards, and just before the hour, Hicker took off Tait and Sammons, both of whom were struggling with knocks, with Dean Goodwin and Glen Moan replacing them. Gaz Shields moved forward to replace Tait, and the pressure continued but without end result.
A break from Jarrow was always to be feared, and sure enough on 79 minutes their quick forward Craig Armstrong got away, two defenders clashed as they tried to tackle him and he coolly drew keeper Jon Minniss and slotted home. We huffed and puffed but it was not to be, so good luck now to Jarrow in the County Cup, and for us, all eyes now on the Vase next week!