Sunderland RCA 3 Horden Colliery Welfare 2

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday 22 December 2007

With new signing Andy Jennings making his debut in the number nine shirt, RCA kicked off with a promising start, but Horden were quickly back and could - should - have scored with their first break. RCA defender Paul Moss did enough to make the Horden forward pass the ball instead of shooting. The resulting cross was somehow cleared when a goal looked certain.

On ten minutes, RCA got a free kick on the left 25 yards out from the Horden goal. A good cross was cleared for a corner kick, but RCA failed to capitalise as the referee blew for a Horden free kick.

On 15 minutes Horden missed their second clear chance. An under hit back pass meant that the Horden forward got the ball ahead of keeper Craig Shields, but he could only shoot high and wide when more composure would have given him a clear chance against the out of position keeper.

Andy Jennings did not have to wait long to take his first goal for RCA. On 25 minutes a good cross from the right saw Andy rise at the far post to head just over the line.

Five minutes later and Andy Jennings had his second turing the ball into the net from six yards following good work from Lee Owens, who beat a player of the right and then crossed from the by-line.

A minute later RCA keeper, Craig Shields made a good save following a Horden corner.

Five minutes into the second half saw Andy Jennings turn provider as he broke clear on the left and crossed for Gary Shields, who was in acres of space, to score easily past the isolated Horden keeper. 3 - 0 did not reflect the balance of play and Horden fought back. On 74 minutes, an excellent shot hit the bar and rebounded for the Horden substitute to strike the ball firmly from close range, giving Craig Shields little or no chance.

In the 83 minute things got more nervous still for RCA, who were playing too deeply and inviting Horden on to them. Good work from a Horden corner saw them peg RCA back to 3 - 2.

On 87 minutes the stage seemed set for Willie Crew, returning to his old club, to seal a draw for Horden, but Craig Shields pulled off a terrific save from his well hit shot.

There was further danger on 89 minutes when Paul Moss conceded a free kick 22 yards out, but all Horden could do was sky it.

The final whistle came as a relief to RCA. How Willie Crew would have loved to mark his return to Meadow Park with a goal, but it was not to be his day. Instead it was RCA fans who went home happy for Christmas. Well done Andy Jennings - scoring two and making the third - not a bad debut!