Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Sunderland Sunday League
RCA Grangetown Florists got back into their stride with an, in the end, comfortable 4-1 victory over a hard working and determined Ryhope CW outfit.
RCA Grangetown had to once again adjust their team due to various factors and had to call up veteran utility player/keeper Steven 'Birdy' Hood to play in goal.
In near perfect conditions, but with a hard bobbly pitch neither side claimed any early dominence and it was not until the 25th minute that Hood had to save smartly from a close range header to keep the score at 0-0. Gradually though RCA Florists began to get a grip with Arkley in defence, Harrison in midfield and McQuillan up front beginning to stretch Ryhope's resistance and keeper Smith had to make two or three smart saves before Adam McQuillan pounced on a loose ball, after good work down the left and another save from Smith, to poke home at the near post after 40 minutes to put RCA Florists 1-0 up. They were not done though and further increased their lead in the 44th minute when a good passing move released Mick Wharton through the inside right channel and he cooly placed his shot across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give RCA Florists a 2 - 0 half time lead.
Any thoughts Ryhope had of a fight back were quickly put to bed after 5 minutes of the second half when McQuillan took a chance from just outside the box after a half clearance and the ball took a slight deflection of a defender and wrong footed keeper Smith to put RCA Florist three up. RCA Florists then toook control and McQuillan completed his hat trick with a confident right foot finish after 60 minutes.
RCA Florists and Ryhope introduced subs around this juncture and the game died a bit, but Ryhope were determined to get something out of the game and they duly pounced on some slack play from RCA Florists to score through a cool finish from Lewis Storey, to give a final score of 4-1 to RCA Florists.
Good luck to Ryhope who have established themselves in the Premier League this season.