Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup - Quarter-Final
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
A classic cup tie in Cumbria as RCA came back with two late goals to snatch a tremendous 4-3 victory.
Manager Neil Hixon rang the changes in light of the tough games coming up, with Andy Middleton coming in for a start wide right, Adam McGuiness wide left and Andy Jennings, Paul Sammons and Lee Owens starting on the bench, Gary Shields and Jon Newton brought pace and control up front and Steve Purcifer started the game at centre half for the cup tied Paul Wardle.
RCA began brightly on a cool clear night, but Penrith had the best of the early chances with a header and shot in the first five minutes before Anth Laidler, who grafted ferociously in midfield all night, shot over from a free kick, followed by a dangerous cross shot from Andy Middleton, and a good effort from Gaz Shields as RCA showed they meant business and settled to their work.
It was no surprise therefore when RCA took the lead in the 20th minute with a quality finish by Shields from a Scott Richards free kick. Penrith were stung into action and began to press, but keeper Craig Shields and his defenders will think they should have done better as the hosts turned the game upside down with two goals in three minutes, both back post headers which should have been dealt with in the 29th and 32nd minutes.
RCA were rattled by this, and Penrith dominated from then to the break with only a Scott Richards free kick, which flew over, coming back from RCA.
2-1 to Penrith at half time.
Hixon had obviously had words as RCA came out strong for the second half, and it was no surprise when the referee gave a 50th minute penalty for a blatant block on Jon Newton after a superb Ash Davis run from deep. Gaz Shields, who was excellent all night, was never going to miss, despite the antics of the Penrith coach, making a fool of himself behind the goal. Absolutely disgraceful.
2-2 and game on.
This was now a cracking cup tie with both sides wanting to win without the dreaded extra time or penalties. End to end stuff, and then a bizarre goal as Craig Shields was deceived by the softest of shots from a Penrith striker, and could only watch as it trundled into the net. 3-2 to Penrith on the hour, and looking bleak for RCA.
Neil Hixon had made a double change just before this bringing on Paul Sammons and Glen McCartney for the injured Scott Richards and Steve Purcifer, and now he went for broke, bringing Andy Jennings into the fray for Jon Newton and going with three up front, with Adam McGuinness joining Jennings and Shields. RCA were now the stronger but could not break through, despite surging runs from Ash Davis getting forward as well in support of the front men, who were now well on top of the home defenders.
The game was now frantic until, with 10 minutes to go, Andy Jennings showed what he is all about with a superb turn, run and shot from the edge of the box which gave the home keeper no chance, 3-3. RCA tails were up now and the winner came in the 88th minute, as Adam McGuiness challenged for a high ball punted forward, and as it broke into the box the keeper was wrong footed and Paul Sammons sprinted forward to gleefully run it into the net from three yards. The referee played five minutes of added time, and the ball was rarely out of the RCA penalty area during it, but the lads were resolute and held on for a famous win, and our first semi-final for many a year!