Ryton 5 Sunderland RCA 0

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Key changes were required by the SRCA Manager for this vital promotion match with both regular central defenders, Wayne Henderson and Paul Wardle, unavailable. Gary Anderson was brought into central defence for the first time under Neil Hixon’s leadership. Up front Gary Shields passed a very late fitness test and came in to replace Jon Newton who was sidelined through injury.

A crowd in excess of 100 was in attendance as SRCA kicked off and moved the ball around brightly, attacking down the right twice before winning a corner in the fourth minute. Gary Shields headed the Richards’ corner a yard wide at the front post. On the next RCA attack Shields appeared to be through and well onside only to be called back by the referee.

However the early good signs were extinguished quickly as Ryton looked to win possession at all opportunities and their midfield and forward movement began to cause problems in all areas for the SRCA team. Ryton won their first corner on eight minutes and a good header brought keeper Shields into action to push wide of the post. In fact three corners were won by the home team who were showing their intentions and SRCA were defending well. On 12 minutes the ball was cleared from the SRCA box to Laidler who quickly moved the ball to full back Davis who went on an eighty-yard sprint with the ball winning a free kick wide of Ryton’s penalty area.

Respite was short lived though as Ryton again pushed forward from the wasted free kick and in the 16th minute their captain, Forbes, played short one-twos before pushing the ball to forward Burrell, who turned quickly to hit a good shot from 18 yards which went in the corner past Shields: 1 – 0 to the home side.

The game tightened up for a while with the best opportunity coming SRCA’s way in the 25th minute with Lee Owens crossing well from the right by-line onto Jennings’ head which brought Shields into play, but on getting the ball above the keeper, it also sailed well over the Ryton cross bar. If anything this lifted the home team again who dominated with possession before a ball was knocked into the SRCA penalty box. The central defenders appeared to get a call from the keeper, but the indecision allowed Ryton number 10, McBride, to ghost in, spin and hit a terrific connection onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net: 2 – 0!

There was no time for SRCA discussions to take place as Ryton were upping the pace and the second goal appeared to galvanise them. Tackles were fast and furious and then a bullet was fired! Ryton midfielder Steven Shaw picked the ball up just inside the SRCA half, pushed forward and with few choices available, decided to strike the ball from clearly 35 yards. The ball ripped towards the target crashed against the underside of the crossbar and over the line. The celebrations summed up the quality of the strike and it was a real kick in the teeth for all involved with SRCA. 3 – 0 and half time needed quickly. Would there be any way back from this?

The second half could not be as bad as the first! Well Ryton set their stall out and were quickly getting men forward and into the away team’s penalty box, winning consecutive corners. Manager Hixon then replaced Laidler with another central defender, Purcifer, for his debut on 52 minutes. Ryton then won a free-kick very wide right, which was contentious to say the least.

The ball was then drilled in diagonally and low across the pitch to the front of the 18 yard box where the stooping centre forward Walton managed to glance firmly and this flew into the left top corner of the SRCA goal. 4 –0 and things were really hurting now. No time to bolt the doors though, as Ryton, knowing now that it was to be their night, bolted forward again winning a further corner. The corner was fired in and really poor marking allowed defender Parker to head into the net. 55 minutes gone and 5 – 0 down. It was going to be a very long night for SRCA.

On 60 minutes Gary Shields was booked for a late challenge that was no different to a number that had gone before. This brought a stiffer reaction from SRCA, who at last began to stand up for themselves and show more grit. Ryton appeared to be happy with what they were holding and sat back, which allowed SRCA to play. Middleton replaced Owens and McGuinness came on for Wells, as manager Hixon looked to salvage something from the game. A couple of corners were won and there was an unlucky header by Jennings as Ryton defended well. After winning a couple of free kicks, Richards drilled the ball in well, but the home keeper held out ably after glancing efforts.

The referee blew to end SRCA’s misery. It’s still in our hands, but a real tough run in. A top three spot is still achievable, but Ryton will no doubt be looking forward to their visit to Meadow Park in three weeks' time.