Brandon United 0 Sunderland RCA 4

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Wednesday, 5 March 2008

A couple of changes were made to the RCA forward line that started on Saturday against Norton. Gary Shields was unavailable due to a family bereavement (all our thoughts are with you Gary) and Jonny Newton pulled out at the last moment through sickness. As Lee Owens was suspended, Neil Hixon was forced to shuffle the pack opting to bring Andy Middleton (wide right) into the starting line up for the first time in months and playing Ash Davis on the left.

RCA certainly had the better of early exchanges as both Davis and Middleton were enjoying space on the flanks culminating in good crosses in the 10th and 15th minutes, ending in headed efforts from Jennings and a shot by Richards. Brandon cleared their lines from three corners and were proven to be no shove over as they competed very well in all physical challenges. Although RCA were having most of the play, Brandon were looking to break at any opportunity playing some very neat football. After their best spell of play on 18 minutes the ball was exchanged quickly from defence to attack and Brandon left winger Ian Pritchard was unlucky when breaking into the RCA box, beating two defenders before pulling his shot wide across Minniss.

After a scrappy five-minute period a long ball was hit from the half way line from Henderson towards the penalty spot. Jennings ran forward to beat the offside trap and gleefully headed over the advancing keeper on 23 minutes. From the Brandon kick off RCA quickly looked to gain possession with a couple of strong challenges by Sammons who took a bad knock after winning a couple of fifty-fifties. On 25 minutes the ball was crossed out wide right to Middleton who pushed the ball past the left full back only to be pulled down. The ball was knocked in by Richards, the keeper punched out, then a defender headed out to Ash Davis who slammed the ball home to make it 2 – 0; it looked like game, set and match. RCA were stroking the ball about confidently and Brandon looked a little subdued. However just after half an hour Scott Richards pulled up with hamstring trouble and Paul Sammons was also struggling with a knock. Dean Goodwin replaced Scott on 32 minutes. Andy Middleton seemed to be involved in a lot of the nights proceedings and was proving too fast for the Brandon defence. (He was not rewarded for his efforts as he took a defender’s clearance right in the proverbials and will have to check today if his family allowance is still in tact! Certainly will be feeling blue this morning.

Brandon then enjoyed their best spell with some very good football, but struggled when getting into the RCA box. Against the run of play the ball was pushed out to left full back Sean Davies who from inside the Brandon half launched a long ball into the Brandon six yard box; the Brandon keeper seemed to lose the ball in flight and under pressure from Jennings pushed the ball into the net. One for the dubious goal review panel but for me should count as Davies’ first for RCA.

Robert Clarkson entered the fray as a replacement for Sammons on half time.

The second half petered out as Brandon reformed their defence and RCA whilst in control could not break them down.

The wind got up to make playing football more difficult, but Jennings was guilty of a couple of glaring misses and was holding his hands up to his service providers. In particular he will regret the opportunity on 60 minutes of beating two defenders, passing the keeper, but then hitting the shot at an empty target weakly allowing the keeper to recover. Not to be denied though: on 70 minutes some good play down the left resulted in the ball getting crossed to the back post to find Jennings, who fired home to his and the away supporters relief.