Newcastle Benfield FC 1 Sunderland RCA FC 0

RCA forward Aristote Guerin-Lokonga contests the ball in the first half of the match.

9 February 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA went to Newcastle Benfield and for the second time this season they were facing a Benfield team with a new manager, Steve Bowey and Gareth McAlindeon taking charge of their first game.

RCA gave league debuts to Thomas Marron and Patrick McClean, younger brother of James McClean the Sunderland AFC winger.

It was to be an inauspicious debut for McClean as he limped out of the game after 15 minutes with a dead-leg sustained in the 10 minute. Marron on the other hand gave a man of the match display.

If possession won you games then RCA would have won this game handsomely, unfortunately being unable to convert possession into goals has been our downfall all season and when things are not going well we revert to the Wimbledon "lump it and see" method of attack which most defences in this league can cope with easily.

RCA started brightly and took the game to Benfield without really creating any chances and Leighton and Brown seemed in no mood to let down their new manager who was also leading by example in the centre of the park.

In the 10 minute a heavy challenge by Williams left McClean on the floor, McGuinness took the free kick and Clarke's header fell to Guerin-Lokonga but his shot was blocked and fell easily into the arms of Grainger. Within five minutes young McClean's debut was over as he slumped to the floor unable to continue.

In the 17 minutes a right wing corner from Bowey was headed behind for another corner by Buzzeo as Norris looked odds on to score.

A run by Kane saw him feed the ball to Monson but he was caught in possession and the ball was sent forward to Bowey who played in Ormeston but Marron was able to get across to put the ball out of play for a corner. Bowey took the corner and the inswinger caught RCA out, Leighton headed againt the bar and in the ensueing goal line scramble, Young got a foot to the ball to stab it home.

The game became literally bogged down in a midfield battle, as the ground started to cut up the play became scappy with little in the way of enterprise by either team.    

RCA created the next real chance when Guerin-Lokonga won the ball 30 yards out and fed the ball to Clarke who controlled the ball before lashing it unceremoniously high and wide from 10 yards out.

This sparked a mini revival in play as Benfield struck back, Norris outpaced Buzzeo, and as Preston came across to cover the wing fired in a cross to the far post where Young was left unmarked 6 yards out but the striker managed to haed over with the goal at his mercy.

As the game moved into injury time Benfield were awarded a dubious penalty as Clarke seemed to win the ball before being kicked by Ormeston who fell to the ground. Nevertheless a penalty was awarded and up stepped Young to take the penalty, Graham saved the kick with his outstretched foot and the ball was cleared by Marron.

4 minutes into injury time Guerin-Lokonga had the Benfield defence at six and sevens as he cut inside the box but, with both Clarke and Monson in great scoring positions, he decided to go for goal and his shot was mre like a back pass to Grainger.

The second half belonged to RCA possession wise but once again their lack of quality in front of goal was evident for all to see.

In the 50 minute a long ball from McGuinness found Guerin-Lokonga but he didn't test the keeper from 15 yards firing the ball wide of the upright.

Benfield were reduced to defending deep and trying to break quickly through Norris but he all to often ran the ball out of play and the counter attacks came to nothing. When they did get the ball into the centre Marron and Preston were more than a match for their attack. 

RCA looked dis-jointed with no width and 4 players congested in a tight and very boggy midfield.

In the 61 minute Kane slipped past a defender before unleashing an effort from 25 yards which Grainger saved easily.

5 minutes later Benfield created their first effort of the second half when the ball was cleared from Leighton to Brown, he was allowed to get in a shot from 25 yards out which struck the inside of the post and rebounded, luckily for RCA, to Buzzeo who cleared up field.

Some poor decisions from the officials did nothing to help a scrappy affair, as the whistle seemed to be constantly blowing for little or no reason leaving player from both sides bemused to say the least.

RCA huffed and puffed their way through the remainder of the game and although they had plenty of chances none caused the Benfield defence much cause for concern as shots from Cutts, Home-Jackson and Kane were all off target.

Late in the game substitue Graham had a great chance for Benfield but sent his effort over the bar.

RCA might feel that they deserved something out of this game but to be honest they have to learn to play as a team and not a bunch of individuals.

It is beyond my comprehension that players can not play in a disciplined way for the team, this might mean playing in an unfamiliar role and out of position but at the end of the day it is the results that matters not individual displays.