Sunderland RCA FC 1 Billingham Synthonia FC 3

RCA's Nick Cane in second half midfield action.

Saturday, 27 April 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goal Scorers: SRCA: Gordon:  Synners: Close og, Newby, Huggins.

Please click here for photos from the match.

The woes of RCA continued. When you are near the bottom of the league things always seem to conspire against you: today, an own goal and three penalties (one missed) all to Billingham Synthonia. When your luck is out it is well and truely out.

RCA kept the same team that played so well against Whitley Bay in midweek although the shape of the team looked a little unfamiliar at kick off as they looked to play with three at the back.

In the opening minute, as with the match on Tuesday, a ball into space behind McGuinness almost created a goalscoring chance but J Wilson's cross was intercepted and cleared by Preston.

Then a ball from Liddle released Cattermole on the right. His cross was met by Jameson, but his shot was charged down by Wardle.

RCA were awarded freekick 25 yards out and Close took responsibility firing narrowly wide.

In the 5th minute Synners' opened the scoring Jameson picked up the ball on the right, ran 15 yards with it before sending in a low cross which was turned into his own goal by Brian Close.

Five minutes later and it was 2-0 Foden came tearing out of his goal and in trying to clear the ball collided with Jameson, the referee awarded a penalty and Newby made no mistake from the spot.

Synners were flowing now and two minutes later Liddle found McWilliams on the left he played in Jameson who shot wide of the upright.

As Synners continued to push forward they looked likely to score at will, but some stirling work at the back kept them at bay, however RCA can count themselves lucky that a further penalty was not awarded when Jameson looked to be caught inside the area.

RCA started to make progress up the field and Close clipped in a ball to Gorden who's shot went wide of the upright.

Then Shaw dribbled his way inside the box before passing inside to Kane, but his shot was blocked by Abel.

In the 38th minute RCA pulled a goal back. McGuinness's long ball found Shaw on the left and his cross found Gordon whose first shot hit the post, but he made no mistake with the rebound rifling it into the top corner.

Apart from the goals no keeper had been called upon to make a save until the 40th minute when N Wilson's effort forced a reasonably easy save from Foden.

From the kick off of the second half RCA pushed forward looking for the all important equaliser, but it was Synners who had the first real chance when Porritt had a shot blocked by Redman, the ball was picked up by McGuinness who sent Kane away down the left, He cut the ball bac k and then lobbed Grifiths, but Newby was able to get back head away for a corner.

RCA piled on the pressure at this point and continually threatened the Synners' goal. When Kane received the ball on the edge of the penalty area he lined up his shot but it went just wide of the post.

As the second half settled down Synners started to produce some attacks of their own, most notably when J Wilson found Cattermole on the edge of the box and the Synners captain fired in a shot which was superbly saved by Foden turning the ball round the post.

While RCA continued to threaten they were unable to trouble Griffiths in the Synners goal. A snap shot from Shaw was probably the closest that they came.

Time was running out for RCA and they threw caution to the wind as the pushed more players forward looking to get something out of the game. 

In the 89th minute Synners broke forward and Liddle slipped the ball to Cattermole and he was caught by McGuinness and another penalty was awarded. Newby stepped up again, but this time shot wide of the target.

Was this the change in fortune that RCA had been hoping for? They poured forward again and once again were caught on the break in the 93rd minute when Synners were awarded their third penalty of the game as Wardle was adjudged to have fouled Liddle inside the box. Huggins took charge of the kick this time and made no mistake.

Another decent performance from RCA players, but once again poor decision making has let them down and Synners have taken full advantage.

Next up for RCA will be Billingham Town, the re-arranged match due to the playing of an ineligible player in the game that RCA won 1-0.