Ashington FC 3 Sunderland RCA FC 1

RCA's Adam McGuinness attacks during the first half of the match.

Saturday, 13 April 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Ashington: Grieve, O'Dea, Antony. SRCA:  Shaw.

Please click here for photos from the match.

Preparation for this important EBAC Northern League match was disrupted once again when Nicholas Kane was pulled out of the starting line-up with an injury sustained in the warm up. Gary Shields replaced him.

After the 5-1 defeat at Team Nothumbria SRCA were looking for an improvement. Marron switched back to a more familiar central defensive role and Drysdale moved to right back with Richards returning from suspension occupying the centre of midfield.

However all this was to no avail as Ashington swept RCA aside in the first 11 minutes taking a 2-0 lead.

RCA conceded a corner in the first minute and Grieve rose head and shoulders above everyone else to power in an unstoppable header.

Straight from the kick off Ashington were back on the attack and it took a superb save from Ball to prevent Walton from making it 2-0.

The only response was a through ball from Close to Clarke who, although firing in a shot which Dryden saved easily, might have done better to square the ball to the on coming Shaw.

In the 11th minute Ashington increased their lead when Godsmarck crossed in to O'Dea who calmly side stepped the RCA defence before slotting the ball home.

The "Colliers" went into comfort mode for the next 20 minutes, a lot of midfield passing, but no final thrust. RCA for their part were also finding it hard to make any inroads to a solid looking Ashington defence.

On the half hour mark Walton had another great chance, the ball was swept into the box by Johnson and from inside the six yard area Walton fired over the bar.

Minutes later O'Dea went on a run up the right, then cut inside before curling in a shot which went narrowly wide of the upright.

RCA's only real reply came from Close who picked the ball up 25 yards out before thundering in a shot which Dryden did well to save.

As half time approached a long ball out of defence by Greive sent Walton clear of the RCA defence and either by luck or good judgement Ball managed to save the ball between his legs.

Whatever was said to the RCA team at half time had the desired effect.

The introduction of Gordon for the aging and ineffective Clarke put instant pressure on the Colliers' defence. A free kick from McGuinness found Shaw who cut the ball back to Gordon and the striker fired narrowly wide.

RCA pulled a goal back in the 49th minute. Shields did well to stop the ball from going out of play, slipped it to Close who in turn picked out Shaw inside the area. Shaw looked up before curling a fiercly struck shot into the far top corner of the net.

The came was coming to life and when the inspirational Close won a corner on the right it almost set up the equaliser as Shields flicked McGuinness' corner kick just wide of the upright with Dryden beaten.

Two minutes later and Shields and Close were involved again this time Shields turned provider as his cross was met by Preston but the forward could only manage to head into Dryden's hands.

Unfortunately for RCA not taking their chances when they cam along was to cost them dear. A high ball into the RCA box was cleared by Marron, but the ball fell to Antony 25 yards from goal and he blasted in a shot which rocketed into the net past a bewildered RCA defence.

RCA were not finished and continued to press forward. A long clearance by Ball fell to Shaw who crossed in to Preston but he was stretching to far and fired over the bar.  

Both sides started to tire towards the end of the game and neither keeper was really tested in the final 10 minutes.

Once again our failings are defending set pieces, not closing down in vital areas and and inability to be direct in front of goal.

Positives to come out of the game: the performance in the second half was very encouraging, Shields on the right gave 100%, Close continues to lead by example, Gordon and Shaw both played their part especially in the second half and Drysdale has impressed in the games he has played, just doing the job he has been asked to do effectively.

As Paolo Di Canio has said of SAFC evey game has to be treated like a cup final from now until the end of the season. The same must apply to SRCA. The team has too much quality to be involved in relegation battle.

We probably now require nine points from five games to retain 1st Division status. Starting at Consett on Wednesday.