Sunderland RCA FC 1 Billingham Town FC 0

Centre forward Ross Preston in action in the second half of the match.

Saturday, 06 March 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Clarke.

Please click here for photos from the match.

Another hard fought win against a team, like ourselves, struggling at the wrong end of the league.

With goalkeeper Foden suffering a torn glutean maximus (whatever that is) muscle and out for the rest of the season the RCA management installed able deputy Jonathan Ball between the sticks for this very important Northern League relegation battle.

Billingham for their part had won five out of their last six games, only losing to Spennymoor Town.

In the early stages neither team seemed able to settle into a rythme and the hard uneven pitch was adding to the problems encountered by the player as the ball bounced erratically.

It wasn't until the 16th minute that a chance was created when a long ball was missed by the RCA defence and Brunskill turned but mistimed his shot.

Five minutes later, Garbutt dispossesed Shaw and sent a 50 yard pass into the path of Flockett who fired in a shot which was deflected for a corner.

RCA were pricked into action by this and Close fed the ball through for Clarke whose shot was charged down by Butterworth, only as far as McGuinness who curled a lovely shot narrowly wide of the upright.

As the game wore on it became clear that neither team looked capable of finishing in front of goal.

Preston, playing in an unfamiliar forward role chased down a ball from Wardle, winning the ball in the corner he played in Shields who picked out Clarke with a deft chip but the RCA striker could only head his effort wide.    

The rest of the first half staggered uneventfully to half time with both teams guilty of poor passing and woeful shooting.

The second half started a lot better than the first half, in the opening minute a good run and cross by Macdonald was well held by Ball in the RCA goal with Brunskill on hand to pick up on any mistake.

Close picked up the ball in midfield before squaring it to Marron who ran 20 yards with the ball before unleashing a shot which flew over the bar.

The impressive Preston closed down Butterworth and the ball sprang to Close who passed wide to Shaw who looked to lob Molyneux, but only succeeded in passing the ball into the keeper's hands.

A cross into the box by Brunskill was easily dealt with by McGuinness, but the ball fell to Selby who fired in a shot just wide of the upright.

Billingham were starting to get a foothold into the game and were awarded a freekick 22 yards out. Butterworth stepped up and blasted in a dipping swerving shot which Ball did exceptionally well to turn round the post for a corner.

Back came RCA with Shaw bursting down the left and forcing a corner off Gaston. Shields took the corner and Wardle's downward header was blocked by Risbrough and scrambled away for another corner by Wray. Again Shields took the corner and this time Wardle headed wide of the upright.

The only goal of the game came in the 71st minute and was simplistic in its construction. Close ran down the left wing to deliver a left foot cross which somehow eluded three Billingham defenders before reaching Clarke who scuffed the ball beyond the reach of Molyneux and into the corner of the net.

Billingham were stung into action and Brunskill was guilty of a glaring miss as he picked up a cross from Flockett but his hastily taken shot went harmlessly wide.

RCA had a great chance themselves to sew up the match when Preston won th eball and gave it to Shields who crosses into the box, but Risbrough intercepted the ball before it reached Shaw.

In the final flurry by Billingham, Butterworth pushed forward and had an effort which went high over the bar.

Not a game for the purest as passes went astray and there was no real impetus to the game, but from RCA's perspective it was three well earned points.

Team Northumbria on Monday will be a different kettle of fish and we will need to be a lot better than today.