Tuesday, 12 March 2013
EBAC Northern League Division 1
Scorers: Penrith: Jardine, og: SRCA: Dixon
I am not sure what it is about playing Penrith at the new Stadium at Frenchfields Park, but we never seem able to get a team out. Last season 11 turned up when we were doing well this season 12 turned up, one of whom was the injured goalkeeper Craig Shields who was forced to play due to the lack of another recognised keeper.
There were obviously a number of first team players missing but the management team were still able to put out a strong looking team.
On a near perfect pitch RCA started with a bang, a through ball from Marron found Cutts who laid the ball inside to Dixon who struck a perfect shot over the outstreched arm of Jamieson and into the roof of the net.
Penrith pushed forward and RCA were forced to defend in numbers.
In the 14th minute a free kick taken by Allison was headed away by Marron for a corner. The corner was taken by Jackson and Jardine, ghosting in at the far post was able to score unchallenged.
Penrith took a hold of the game and only some good defending kept them at bay, it wasn't until the 28 minute that Shields was called into action, turning a fierce drive from Gullen round the post for a corner. Once again the corner was taken by Jackson and this time it was Davidson who was afforded a free header but it flew over the bar.
Within minutes Penrith were back again with Gullen getting down the wing to send in a great cross which evaded everyone and landed at the feet of Allison inside the six yard box but the winger somehow managed the blast the ball wide.
It is fair to say that Penrith were having more of the possession in the first half and it was Shields that was the busier of the two keepers.
In the 40th minute a stinging shot from Jackson brought a truely great save from Shields as he parried the ball over the bar from point blank range.
RCA eventually forced a corner in the 43 minute, Cutts took it and Wardle powered in a header which was saved by Jamieson, the ball fell to Close who clipped in a delightful cross which was saved by the penrith keeper under pressure from Guerin-Lokonga.
As the players walked of at half time it was noticeable that the Penrith keeper was struggling and so it was that he was replaced by Brass who was making his debut.
RCA, as in the first half, stared with great purpose, Dixon skipped past two defenders before delivering a great cross to the near post which Wardle clipped towards goal only for Brass to pull off a good save.
Two minutes later he was called into action again when a freekick taken by Clarke looked to be creeping in at the far post Brass managed to get a hand to the ball and gathered it in under pressure from Monson.
Penrith responded witha freekick of their own, taken by Allison, his shot was headed away by Marron and Holliday following up could only fire the ball straight at Shields.
Shields looked to take a knock a few minutes later as a good move between Connelly and Holliday ended with the latter firing wide and Shields who had closed down the forward got up clutching his injured shoulder. Not a good sign for RCA.
RCA were actually now the team in the driving seat and were pushing Penrith back, a Shot from Clarke was easily saved by Brass at the expense of a corner. Cutts took the kick and Marron rose highest to head toward goal but Brass once again saved.
A clever move between Dixon and Monson released Clarke just inside the area, the striker looked to curl the ball into the net but Brass was equal to it and saved easily.
Clarke tested the keeper twice more in quick succession and each time the keeper made the saves look easy.
RCA forced another corner in the 82 minutes and Cutts fired it into the area, Guerin-Lokonga met the ball perfectly but could only direct it narrowly over the bar.
In the 86th minute, against the run of play Penrith were awarded acorner after Gullen's shot had been deflected wide. The corner was sent into the six yard box where it appeared to strike Preston and shot into the net.
There was no way back for RCA and the game pettered out to the final whistle.
RCA probably should have got a draw out of the performance tonight; there was no lack of committment from the players on display and it was only unfortunate that an injury to our keeper Craig Shields probably cost us a point.