Sunderland RCA 3 Norton+Stockton Ancients 4

David Gordon attacks down the left in the first half of the match.

Northern League Division 1

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Click here for photos from the match.

Despite scoring three times at home Sunderland RCA suffered their first league defeat of the season when defensive mistakes were punished by the clinical finishing of Norton & Stockton Ancients strikers.

The management team were forced into a number of changes with Jones and Preston both injured and Jardine unavailable due to work commitments. Butler was called up to play in place of Jones, Oates reverted to centre back to replace Preston, Close came into midfield and new signing Gavin Barton took over up front to replace Jardine.

The match started in beautiful sunshine and RCA were soon on the attack, with Appleby causing the Norton defence into a hurried clearance which was picked up on the half way line by Close, he played a forward pass to Hudson who clipped an exquisite pass to Davis on the right edge of the box, he cut inside before crossing the ball beyond Howarth and into the path of Appleby who slotted home from close range.

Norton struck back with a well worked move that saw Brown win the ball on the left before crossing for Hume but the Striker could only head straight at Atkinson.

However, in the 11 minute a defensive mix up between Close and McGuinness saw Martin take full advantage, sliding between the two players before sending in an inch perfect cross and this time Hume headed powerfully past Atkinson to equalise.

RCA stormed back on the offensive but were thwarted by some good work by Harbron and Crossman.

The lead was restored in the 20 minute when a cross from Butler was palmed clear by Howarth but it fell to Davis who evaded two tackles before passing to Gordon who crossed to Barton at the far post, hid first effort was saved by Howarth, his second struck Harbron but fell kindly back to him and he made no mistake volleying into the roof of the net from close range.

RCA looked on top at this point and both Appleby and Barton had great chances to increase the lead when clean through but on both occasions the shots were hurried and went over the bar.

Norton for their part were hanging on with a determination reminiscent of our defence last week at Whitley Bay.

In the 36 minute, a long clearance from Lilley should have been dealt with by Butler but he headed the ball straight to Brown, who skipped past the tackle before sending in a cross to the far post where the ball wasn’t cleared and Woodhouse was on hand to stab the ball home.

Two minutes later and RCA’s defence was shambolic as Norton tore through the middle, and Woodhouse was once again left unmarked to strike home.

It could have been worse in the 40 minute when Dalton picked up a ball in midfield and thundered in a shot which went narrowly wide.

RCA equalised in the last minute of the half when both Appleby and Barton burst past Norton’s defence, Appleby pick up the loose ball and tried to curl it past the keeper but Howarth was able to get a hand onto the ball but could only steer the ball onto the head of Barton who made no mistake from 6 yards out.

Half time 3-3 and all the goals were scored through poor defending.

It took 15 minutes for the second half to liven up as both teams came out to determined not to concede.

RCA kicking down the slope and with a slight wind could not make their superiority tell and although Barton had a great chance his header went tamely wide.

At the other end Crossman played in a lovely ball to Woodhouse, but he mistimed his header.

In the 74 minute as Cross from Butler was headed onto the bar by Barton and Wells headed the ball over the bar for a corner with Guerin -Lokonga, bearing down on goal.

The Killer goal was a brilliantly executed strike by full back Lilley, He started the move with a pass to Hume who flicked it into his path and he unleashed a terrific volley which gave Atkinson no chance at all.

RCA hit back with  Guerin-Lokonga going close then Hutchinson had a half chance which was smothered by Howarth but really it was all too little too late.