Marske United 2 Sunderland RCA 2

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Given that for midweek games team sheets have to be in at 6.45 for a 7.30pm kick offs, it was rush time for many at SRCA to get to Marske. Many of the committee, Neil and George, plus players were supporting Gentoo employees who had volunteered to carry out works at our home ground to improve Meadow Park ready for the Northern League inspection later this month.

Fortunately most arrived on time other than Scott Richards who could not get to the ground until 7:20 and was on as substitute. So from Saturday’s line up Anth Laidler replaced him in central midfield whilst Craig Shields returned for Minniss in goal (after a lengthy lay off). Veteran Gary Ventress who last played in goal for the club over three years ago was on the bench as reserve goalkeeper.

Sky TV were in the ground with cameras having previously interviewed League Management and staff about the new proposals to rid bad language from the Northern league. Lively indeed!

And rushing we were straight from kick off, ball pushed to Ash Davies at left back he played a 35 yard pass up the left to David Wells, he ran 10 yards on and fired a terrific ball to the back post. Lee Owens who had raced up the right was there and volleyed unstoppably, keeper getting a hand to, but no chance of saving. The fastest goal I have ever witnessed from SRCA and barely 20 seconds on the clock. 1-0 to us and what a start!

It seemed to unnerve Marske, the team with the best goals against record in the division. However both teams could find no pattern with the home side showing good movement and willing. After five minutes it was they who started gathering momentum and sending balls to the flanks quickly, which resulted in the winning of two early corners. The centre forward Thompson was proving to be a handful as he fired two headers in, one just a metre over the SRCA bar. All the possession was with Marske at this stage, but quite unbelievably on 10 minutes RCA got hold of a loose ball in the centre circle via Laidler who pushed it quickly forward to Jennings; he reverse passed in space to Newton on the right, who ran with the ball about 10 yards before drilling a low 25 yard screamer down to the keeper’s left and into the right corner of the net. Screams from the away crowd, Newton’s debut goal and overcome, he pulled his top off, swung it around his head…and was promptly booked. 2-0 and all our supporters were too excited too care.

The goal lifted Marske though who controlled the game again and for the next 15 minutes they dominated with some fantastic ground football with all round movement. Three corners won and SRCA were defending with true grit. Clearly becoming frustrated with the away defending the Marske centre forward Johnson spoilt his team’s good rhythm by making an off-the-ball challenge on our left full back Ash Davis. The referee approached his linesman and both agreed elbow was raised, debated for two minutes, then the ref raised yellow. Very surprising and the centre forward had been given a let off. SRCA lifted their game and realised that they would have to stand up for themselves. Pushing forward SRCA were improving, but only had one corner as reward for their efforts.

After 35 minutes Marske were making progress again and enjoying possession on both flanks and on 37 minutes, after good play on the left, the ball was hit against the RCA left post with a cracking effort from Thompson. RCA were unnerved and it was no surprise when Marske pulled a goal back on 39 minutes, but the goal was a real soft one to concede. Some good passes on the 18 yard area resulted in the ball been played to Skelton who appeared to take the wrong option in shooting when well marked, however the mishit shot appeared to deceive Craig Shields in goal, who was partially unsighted as the ball squeezed past to make it 2 – 1. Football was restricted until half time as both clubs tackled hard, but were not giving up any territorial advantage.

The second half commenced similar to the way the first ended and the first real chance fell to Jennings who hit an excellent shot from distance, but this cleared the home bar. A couple of corners were won by the away team, but both sides were refusing to give in as the referee commenced blowing for trivialities and the free kick awards going with the home team.

On 65 minutes Neil Hixon showed his hand and brought on Scott Richards and Gary Shields replacing Paul Sammons and Jon Newton. SRCA were lifted with both immediately gaining possession of the ball and exchanging excellent passes down the right side. RCA had three corners in quick succession and Richards was hitting excellent balls, which Marske were scrapping to defend. The improvement in play meant that Lee Owens was finally coming into play and he raced past the left full back with ease. One-way traffic now and RCA looked like a new force. Jennings was also receiving the product of this good play and on 76 minutes played in from the right he beat the full back, looked up at goal but pulled the ball sideways instead of shooting. A great opportunity wasted.

However the game was broken down again with SRCA winning good challenges, but the referee was giving needless free kicks, generally against RCA. Unbelievably Richards, who was now controlling the midfield, got pulled up when winning an excellent 50:50 and was booked. This took the wind out of the RCA sails as no team was now finding any headway. For the next 10 minutes the game was flat and it appeared that there would be only one winner. However in the last five minutes needless fouls were given away giving possession to the Marske team. The clock was ticking, but then in the fourth minute of injury time, Davis gave away a foul close to the bye line on the left. Marske raised the troops forward, then the long ball was hit to the back post, Shields was deceived by the flight and the ball was headed by central defender Taylor, who gleefully planted it over the advanced keeper. 2 –2: a real sucker punch! SRCA kicked off and immediately won a free kick 25 yards from goal. Richards chipped in, Jennings challenged keeper, ball in net – but the ref blows for a foul and then full time.

Football can be kind and cruel. Reminds us that we still have a long hard journey before the season ends.