David Gordon launches a trademark attack down the wing for RCA. With David and Adam McGuinness, RCA are a formidable left wing force.

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Saturday, 11 August 2012

Please click here for photos from the match.

Please click here for video highlights from the match.

The 10 men of SRCA left it until the last 30 seconds of this FA Cup match to force a draw and the unlikely scorer of the equaliser was goalkeeper Neal Atkinson.

During the close season the management team have been very busy trying to build virtually a new team as players have been lured away by the promises of better recompense. The new players will need time to adjust to each other, but on today's display they have nothing to fear and proved that team spirit counts for a great deal in this league.

The following report is taken from the Sunday Sun:

GOALKEEPER Neal Atkinson scored a dramatic equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game to keep Sunderland RCA’S FA Cup dream alive.

Moments after pulling off a magnificent injury-time save, Atkinson worked more heroics at the other end of the field to earn the Wearsiders a replay at Meadow Park on Tuesday night.

RCA, who played for 56 minutes with 10 men, looked to be on their way out of the competition when they trailed going into added time.

For a split second, it appeared their hopes had ended when Ashington’s Phil Bell looked certain to score.

But somehow Atkinson kept the ball out.

And with the clock ticking down, deep into injury time, Neil Hixon’s side won a corner.

Keeper Atkinson went up with the rest of his team-mates.

Gary Shields’ kick was spot on and when Colliers’ goalkeeper Karl Dryden could only parry the ball, Atkinson was there to drive the ball into the net.

Immediately the game was restarted, the referee blew the final whistle, much to the relief of the visitors.

Hixon said: “I thought the players were magnificent bearing in mind that we had Brian Close sent off after just 34 minutes.

“The lads gave it their all and were rewarded with a last-ditch equaliser.

“Now we’ve got it all to do at our place on Tuesday.”

It was Close who opened up the first scoring opportunity for Andrew Appleby, but his effort was cleared.

A minute later, Ashington’s James Taylor became the first player to go into the referee’s notebook.

Tommy English almost opened up the RCA defence. At the other end Mark Hudson fired wide after good work by John Butler, before Close was shown a yellow card on 31 minutes.

Three minutes later he was given a second and immediately shown red.

The Colliers were now in the driving seat. A corner by English was headed just wide by Andy Dugdale and on the stroke of half time Marc Walton chipped Atkinson, only to see his clever effort clear the crossbar.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, RCA were limiting the hosts and it was not until the 70th minute that Ashington broke the deadlock. Gareth Williams and Walton combined to set up Gareth Bainbridge and he fired under Atkinson. His strike looked likely to win the game but there was still time for Atkinson to have the last word with his double heroics.

Colliers manager Gary Middleton said: “I thought we were comfortable all through the game but RCA just kept coming back. They played for almost an hour with 10 men so it’s not going to be easy in the replay but I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

MOM Neal Atkinson.

 

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

The hoodoo of the FA Cup continues at RCA with this defeat against Ashington. The euphoria of Saturday's last gasp equaliser completed eradicated with a woeful second half performance that saw Ashington take complete control and run out worthy winners.

Ashington progress to the next round of the FA Cup and will face an away match against Marske United FC. 

The first 10 minutes saw a similar pattern to Saturday's match with both teams looking nervous and edgy, the first shot of the game came on 5minutes when a laong crossfield ball by Cave found the unmarked Taylor but he snatched at his first time effort and it went well wide of the target.

RCA's first chance of the half came on 10 minutes when Youldon and Close combined to set up the overlapping Jones, in space inside the goal area he opted to shot but his curling shot went narrpwly wide with Dryden beaten.

The game was coming to life now and Taylor for Ashington was causing problems with his surging runs, in the 12 minute, he received a lovely pass from Dugdale but was unable to find the target hooking his shot wide.

Back came RCA, a through ball by Hudson found Guerin-Lokonga, the RCA forward laid the ball off to Youldon but his shot was well saved by Dryden. 

Cave carved open the RCA defence with a great run and cross to the edge of the area where Johnson hit the ball first time and Atkinson was forced to save.

In the 20 minute Ashington must have thought they had taken the lead when Taylor latched onto a pass from Bell and thundered a shot against the foot of the post and the ball was scambled away for a corner. From the resulting kick Taylor was once again left unmarked but, with a free header his effort went over the bar.

RCA responded to this pressure with some of their own, Youldon received the ball out wide, played the ball to Jones who's cross eluded Dryden and fell to Guerin-Lokonga who brought the ball down before volleying over the bar.

Within two minutes RCA were in front as they produced a great passing move, starting with Hudson and close winning the ball in the centre of the park the ball was swithed to the right to shields who crossed to the far post where Guerin-Lokonga once again brought the ball down, this time he laid the ball off for Gordon who volleyed a low rasping shot into the bottom corner of the net.

RCA continued to press and a Gordon Cross was met at the back post by Shields but he was unable to take advantage and shot into the side netting.

A poor back pass by Paxton put RCA under pressure as Bell collected the ball in front of Atkinson before squaring the ball to  Walton but his shot was blocked by Preston.

As the  half came to a conclusion both teams had half chances probably the best falling to the head of Bell but he headed over. He could be excused this miss as he had his head heavily bandaged after a collision a few minutes earlier with one of his own players.

The second half got off to an explosive start, RCA should have gone 2-0 up when Youldon found himself free inside the 6 yard box but somehow managed to completely miss the ball with the goal at his mercy.

A minute later and a cross from Gordon found Guerin-Lokonga but he could only direct his header wide of the post.

In the 49 minute Ashington were awarded a contravertial penalty for what looked like holding. Unfortunately Walton didn't seem to have his shooting boots on tonight and fired well over the bar.

The game started to get bogged down a little with RCA inexplicably reverting to a long ball game against two of the tallest Central defenders in the league. Ashington to their credit were trying to play through midfield and had in fact succeeded in taking control of that area of the pitch.

The pressure was mounting on the RCA defence but they looked like they were cabable of repelling the Ashington Forwards.

However in the 70 minute with the Ashington team appealing for a freekick for a late challenge on Dugdale, the referee played advantage and the ball was quickly passed to Taylor who made no mistake from 20 yards out.

Within a minute a Trough ball from Antony found bell inside the box but the tall striker mishit his shot straight at Atkinson.

In the 73 minute in a carbon copy of the previous move Bell this time made no mistake, curling the ball round the keeper and into the net.

The only response from RCA was a cross from McGuinness which was headed wide by Guerin-Lokonga and a half chance to substitute  Jardine.

Ashington were in controla of the match now and RCA looked tired. Antony should have made it 3 -1 but mishit his shot when one on one with the keeper and Bell had a shot late in the game that his the top of the crossbar.

Ashington on tonight's performance were well worth their win.

MOM David Gordon

Jamie Davis attacks down the right wing in the second half against Consett on Saturday, 18 August.

Northern League Division 1

Saturday, 18 August 2012

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA started their EBAC Northern League campaign in the same vein as last season with a 2-2 draw against a well drilled and organised Consett outfit.

The manager brought in new signing Abubaker Salim on the right wing and started Dale Jardine up front as support to Aristote Guerin-Lokonga.

The match will be remembered most for the amount of missed chances by both teams. It would not have been a suprise if the game had ended 6-6.

Consett took advantage of the slope in the first half and pushed RCA back from the off and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 6 minute when Davidson found Bell with a 50 yard pass which split the RCA defence in two. The Consett defender crossed into the path of Mackay who’s shot was blocked by Preston but the ball rebounded to Smith who made no mistake from 10 yards out.

RCA started to get into the game and were unlucky not to equalise when McGuinness sent a lovely pass into the path of Gordon, he slipped the ball to Jardine who dribbled into the box before passing the ball to Guerin-Lokonga but he fired over the bar.

The threatened equaliser arrived courtesy of a penalty, Close receiving the ball from Jones turned in the area and was tripped by Scorer. Hudson made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-1.

A minute later and Guerin-Lokonga latched onto a long clearance and looked odds on to score but Martindale had other ideas with a well timed tackle which cleared the danger.

Martindale was soon in the action at the other end as RCA’s defence back off and allowed him a clear run at goal, fortunately for RCA his shot was deflected wide for a corner. The corner kick was met in the box by Scorer and his well struck shot was brilliantly saved by Atkinson.

Consett looked to be getting a hold of the game when a curling shot from Davidson was saved by Atkinson and a minute later Mackay in a good position shot over the bar.

RCA were finding it difficult to get hold of the ball and when they did Consett were quickly closing them down and not letting them settle on the ball.

A long throw from Atkinson found Salim and the RCA winger slipped past the first defender before being brought down 25 yards from goal. Close took the freekick quickly and although he found Hudson who volleyed the ball over the bar he was adjudged to be offside.

RCA seemed to have weathered the storm and were coming back into the match, a Jones freekick to the far post was cleared by Martindale but only as far as Close who laid the ball in to Jardine who blasted his shot over the bar.

The game was shifting from end to end and chances were being created and wasted at both ends, a shot from Robson deflected into the arms of Atkinson, the a shot from Teasdale being saved by the keeper. At the other end Salim found Guerin-Lokonga in the box and the strikers shot was blocked by Martindale and Jardine bustling his way into the box saw his effort saved by Jameson.

The breakthrough came in the 41 minute when a Jones throw in was picked up by Salim, he crossed to Guerin-Lokonga and his rasping volley was well saved by Jameson, the ball looped up into the air and Jardine was on hand to acrobatically fire the ball into the roof of the net.

The second half opened with a great save from Jameson from a close range header by Jardine.

From the corner Salim was dispossessed on the edge of the box and the ball was cleared up field to Teasdale, he played a quick 1-2 with Mackay before shooting, his effort took a deflection off close and then another off the head of McGuinness before settling in the top corner of the net.

McGuinness was in the thick of the action a minute later when he missed the ball completely when making a clearance and the ball fell to Teasdale who set off for goal however McGuinness redeemed himself in recovering to make a wonderful tackle to clear the danger.

A move between Jardine and Guerin-Lokonga  ended with the ball falling to close but he fired over.

Teasdale was causing all sorts of problem for the RCA defence and in the space of 5 minutes had chances saved by Atkinson.

As the half wore on RCA started to make inroads into a shaky Consett defence, Guerin-Lokonga combines with Youldon on the left to set up a great opportunity for Close but the RCA captain could only steer his shot wide under pressure from Jameson.

A minute later and RCA produced a great move as Hudson passed to Gordon who slipped the ball inside to Guerin-Lokonga then back to Hudson who split the Consett defence with an inch perfect pass but close sent his shot narrowly over the bar.

As the pressure continued to mount Youlden had a shot blocked by Scorer and the rebound fell to Davis who fired in a tremendous shot which was also blocked by Scorer.

RCA looked the more likely to break the deadlock at this point and were unlucky when a corner from Hudson was met by Jordon but he could only steer his header over the bar.

Guerin-Lokonga was unplayable in the last 10 minutes of the game as time and again he took the ball to the Consett defence, dribbling past players and on two occasions setting up great opportunities for RCA to find the winner.

The first was a great cross into the path of Hudson who met the ball well to drill in a powerful shot but Jameson somehow managed to get a hand to it and the ball went over the bar.    

The second saw him dribble round 3 defenders before pulling the ball back into the path of Jones but the RCA defender could only steer the ball over the bar.

Late in the game Mackay proved that Consett were still a threat when he burst past two defenders but put his shot well wide of the upright.

This was a really entertaining game with thrills and spills aplenty. If this is anything to go on the rest of the season promises to be one to look forward to. RCA supporters don’t forget the Heartache tablets it looks like it might be a bit of a rollercoaster season.

MOM Aristote Guerin-Lokonga.

 

Northern League Division 1

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Another hard fought game between two well matched sides. Is this the format for the rest of the season? Because if it is then we are in for a brilliant time. Win lose or draw it is going to be exciting.

Durham City's return to the EBAC Northern League after their escapades at the higher levels of the FA pyramid, although welcoming in respect of the league, has been much less welcoming on the field of play with two defeats in two games.

SRCA kept faith with the same starting eleven as Saturday, with the only change to the squad being the inclusion of Adam Ward for the injured Jamie Davis.

The game was only four minutes old when McGuinness provided Gordon with the first opportunity to test Lewis in the Durham goal; the teasing cross into the box was well intercepted by the keeper and his throw out led to a counter attack down the left that resulted in Cutts being fouled.

Home-Jackson took the freekick, swerving the ball toward the bottom corner, but Atkinson managed to get a hand to the ball and turn it away for a corner.

After this scare SRCA took hold of the game pushing Durham back into their own half. A shot from Guerin-Lokonga was deflected for a corner which was taken by Hudson, his deep cross was punched towards his own goal by Lewis but Stoker was on hand to clear.

SRCA took the lead in the 17th minute when a long ball out of defence by Hudson split the Durham defence and fell to the feet of Jardine who shrugged of the challenge of two defenders before blasting the ball past Lewis.

With SRCA in the ascendancy it looked like Hudson had made it 2-0 when he curled a sweet freekick inches wide of the upright with the keeper beaten.

Durham’s Home-Jackson and Thompson worked an opening, but Home-Jackson could only fire a weak effort which was easily saved by Atkinson.

Harboard was replaced by Ellison in the 23rd minute and the effect was immediate. His first pass found Thompson who cut inside, continued his run unchallenged before unleashing a terrific shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The game livened up now with the ball being switched from end to end. Guerin-Lokonga and Jardine did well to set up Hudson despite strong pressure from the Durham defence but the midfielder volleyed his shot over the bar.

As the first half came to a close, it was Durham who were on top with Thompson causing all sorts of problems. He had a long range shot saved by Atkinson before laying the ball into the path of Hindmarch, but the Durham forward’s shot was blocked by Close and fell tamely to Atkinson.    

The second half was almost a reverse of the first half with Durham in command for the first 15 minutes of the half.

However, it was SRCA who had the first real chance of the half when a freekick to the back post was headed back across goal by Jardine. The ball fell to Hudson, but he was unable to keep his shot down sufficiently and the ball sailed inches over the bar.

This was the start of the Durham onslaught, and only some heroic defending by Preston, Close and co kept them at bay.

A corner to the back post saw Irving in space power in a free header which McGuinness did well to clear off the line.

A minute later and Home-Jackson picked up the ball mid way in the SRCA half and dribbled past four defenders, bursting into the box before unleashing a shot which Atkinson was pleased to see go wide of the target.

Thompson and Cutts both squandered great chances to give Durham the lead before, against the run of play RCA took the lead in the 68th minute. Gordon swung over a corner which was easily dealt with by Madden, the ball fell to Jones wide on the right, the full back swung in a beautifully weighted cross which was met by Preston with a flying header which gave Lewis no chance as it rocketed into the net.

Durham were not finished and five minutes after the goal, Thompson turned the SRCA defence inside out before firing just wide of the target.

The whole ground erupted a minute later when the same player in a carbon copy move went even closer hitting the side netting with his shot and the ball looked to go into the net. Unfortunately it was not to be.

Durham started to tire and as they did SRCA went on the counter attack and really should have sealed the game up when Close had a chance but fired wide, then Youldon laid the ball into the path of Shields and, with only the keeper to beat, the SRCA substitute directed his shot wide.

A minute later and Youldon again got beyond the last defender to provide a great cross which Gordon completely mis hit and the ball drifted well wide.

“Three points are in the bag” was the philosophical quote of the SRCA manager. “Four points out of two hard games is good going, seems very similar to last season, deja-vu, spooky isn’t it.”