Norton and Stockton Ancients 1 Sunderland RCA 3

Goal scorer Jamie Clarke holds the ball up at the end of the match with captain Brian Close available for support.

16 February 2013

Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Guerin-Lokonga, Clarke and Cutts

Please click here for photos from the match.

Despite going a goal behind early on RCA eventually won quite comfortably on a beautiful day in Norton. RCA dominated the game from start to finish and could, and probably should, have won by a goal or two more. The only real disappointment on the day was the price of the beer in the Norton clubhouse, £3.29 for a pint of Carling!

The other major concern was the fact that RCA could name only two subs, due to injury and absence for various reasons. Now that the weather appears to have cleared up and we can expect to be playing at least twice a week from now to the end of the season, it seems as if further reinforcements are bound to be needed.

The first of those reinforcements, Jordan Dixon, just signed from Durham, made a very pleasing debut, showing good pace and skill out wide, and might have marked his first appearance with a goal, before having to be satisfied with an assist. At the other end of the age and experience scale Scott Richards was man of the match for your correspondent, being the pick of an excellent midfield three, with Elliott Cutts and skipper Brian Close also performing very well. The back four looked solid, with Ross Preston and recent signing Tom Marron developing a good understanding after some early alarms, and Buzzeo and McGuinness were very solid at full back, apart from one eccentric throw in from "Buzzer" which caused his team mates some concern. Up front Jamie Clarke and Aris Guerin-Lokonga were lively all afternoon. RCA's second goal, with Aris beating his man out wide and sending in an excellent cross for Clarke to score with a spectacular overhead kick was probably the pick of the goals on the day for the spectators, although their first, finished from close range by Aris after a lovely passing move, was one for the football purists. Craig Shields in goal was competent on the few occasions he was called into action, but mostly enjoyed the sunshine.

The game started with RCA well in control, before an eighth minute attack saw Norton take the lead with what looked a very easy goal, cutting through the defence with a couple of passes, before a simple finish.

When Norton repeated the move and nearly scored again some of us started to worry, but that was largely that for Norton in the first half, as RCA pressed forward continually, and exposed the keeper with several good moves. Richards, Close and Cutts had complete control in midfield.

The only problem was with forwards continually getting themselves caught offside needlessly, but even so it seemed like the pressure must tell. Clarke flashed a shot wide after a good turn, and Aris fired over, before the first RCA goal came in the 23rd minute after a beautiful move left Aris with a simple tap in.

Five minutes later he contrived to fall over his own feet when in an even better position, and as chances were missed it looked like being level at the break, before Jamie Clarke rolled back the years, and potentially put his back out, with a superb overhead shot right on the stroke of half time.

After the break RCA came on very strong and it was only a matter of time before it told.

Young Jordan Dixon broke through with only the keeper to beat and when forced wide did well to hold his nerve and play Elliott Cutts in to finish at the second attempt in the 55th minute.

That was it really, RCA eased off, Norton tried hard but never really looked like scoring, and the game petered out tamely enough. Good points, much needed, and a cheerful ride home!