Birtley Town 0 Sunderland RCA 3

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 22 March 2008

Full photo set

After defender Wayne Henderson failed a fitness test, manager Neil Hixon was again forced into making changes for today’s match at Birtley Town. Paul Stout was switched from the right back roll that he has enjoyed in his first couple of SRCA appearances, to central defence. Anth Laidler who finished the game at Marske in central midfield was switched to right back with captain Scott Richards returning to his normal role in the middle.

Although kicking off in very decent playing conditions, it was not long before the skies darkened and the wind began swirling. The early game pattern was similar to many of our away games this season with strong challenges from both sides and the SRCA midfielders were immediately showing that they were up for the challenge. In fact after 10 minutes it was the result of consecutive good challenges by Sammons that resulted in possession being gained via Richards who fed Lee Owens in down the right. Linking with Jennings corners were forced, the second of which resulted in Jennings heading from distance into the hands of the Birtley keeper. SRCA were growing in confidence and beginning to control the game and half chances fell to Owens and Newton who both shot tamely at the keeper. However after 24 minutes SRCA were not to be denied with good work again down the right resulting in the ball being crossed by Owens to the back post, finding Newton who half volleyed home giving the keeper no chance. 1 – 0 and on the way!

Straight from kick off the skies darkened further and snow was the order of the day. Both sides seem to grit their teeth and the football on display was no longer for the purists. On the half hour, Birtley made their first clear opportunity when the ball was passed between midfielders, then a piercing ball was played through the centre to number seven, Barrie Smith. He raced to the edge of the 18-yard box and pushing the ball a touch too far met the advancing Shields in goal who saved well, pushing the ball sideways for it to be cleared by central defender Stout. Birtley then resorted to playing longer balls, which were dealt with well by centre half Wardle.

On 40 minutes a late tackle on Davis by the Birtley winger went unpunished and the RCA full back went into the book for arguing with the decision. Things were a little frantic up to half time and Manager Hixon was keen to get the players inside to settle.

For the second half Gary Shields took to the pitch as replacement for Newton who had turned his ankle. The away team appeared to have fresh impetus and on 49 minutes Davis found Wells on the left who, running forward, played a swift one two with Shields and found himself running onto goal from the corner of the 18 yard box. Options were available in the middle, but Wells looked at goal and struck an unstoppable shot across the keeper and in off the far post. 2 – 0 and SRCA looking well likely now!

Confidence all over the pitch and all the football from SRCA as both full backs looked to join in and attack the home side. Davis on the left won a corner, Laidler on the right had a mazy run playing one-twos and also winning a corner. Richards was firing the crosses in and the Birtley keeper saving well. On 64 minutes Richards hit a long free kick which nearly deceived the keeper when he had to retreat quickly to palm over the bar. Another goal was likely and this came after 68 minutes. A ball was intercepted from a rare Birtley breakaway by Sammons on the half way line who hit a tremendous ball out to the left where Wells again cut inside and ran on to chip the advancing goalkeeper. 3 – 0 and game over.

On 70 minutes Gary Anderson replaced Wardle at the back, who walked off holding his groin. SRCA were still looking to get forward, this time down the right with Shields putting Owens through who hit a strong shot straight at the keeper. Birtley were becoming frustrated in not getting out of their own half and this showed when the centre half Sherlock attempted a 40 yard effort which was never going to find the net. On 76 minutes Adam McGuiness replaced centre forward Jennings and the same player was quickly involved in the best move of the match when five different SRCA players exchanged passes and advanced culminating with the ball arriving to Owens in the box who shot low, but the keeper smothered.

Birtley who had not done that much in 80 minutes seemed to enjoy their best spell in the last 10 and raised great efforts to pull a goal back. Shields pulled off two outstanding saves in the latter stages and the SRCA rearguard stood strong in defending resulting corners.

The referee blew to end a match in which SRCA showed good strength in readiness for Tuesday’s crucial away game at Ryton.