Northern League Division 1

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Photo © Geoff Watson.

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Northern League Division 1

After the Lord Mayor’s show seems to be a phrase that is constantly occurring with the performances of RCA and so it was for the first 45 minutes of this Northern League match. It seems that RCA and the Two Blues are destined to meet each other at least 5 times a season and the games are always tense affairs. Tonight’s match was no different.

Having progressed to the second round of the FA Vase at the expense of Bishops on Saturday RCA should have been favorites to win.

Both teams fielded changed teams from the ones that started on Saturday.

The initial period of play was very evenly contested with neither side seeming to get on top and both defences well on top.

 Bishops took the lead in the 18th minute in controversial circumstances, Johnson looked to be fouled on the right touch line, the assistant waving his flag indicating the foul, the referee clearly blew his whistle only to then signal play on, the ball fell to Harwood, who fired the ball into the net with the RCA players offering no resistance..

The match officials conferred and to the surprise of most of the crowd,  the referee awarded the goal.

The game dejenerated into a midfield battle as neither team seemed able to settle after this appalling refereeing decision.

RCA nearly snatched and equaliser when a long range effort from Halliday had Johnson scrambling after he dropped the ball and Southern nipped in, the keeper bravely dived at the RCA players feet and in so doing received a blow to the head.

Five minutes after the break and Bishops lost their second keeper to injury in eight days after Johnson and Barton collided and Johnson was unable to carry on.

Gareth Ayers came off the bench to take over between the sticks and was soon in action as he palmed Richards’ long range shot over the bar.

RCA should have at least come away with a draw as they bombarded the Bishops goal in the last 15 minutes but shots from Southern  Barton and Guering-Lokonga were all well saved by the substitute goalkeeper who had an inspirational game.

Barton did get the ball in the net but this time the referee did call back play and award a free kick to RCA even though Southern seemed to ride the challenge to send the ball into the path of Barton.

Not a good night for the officials

After the match the referee apologised to the RCA management and players after the game, admitting his error in awarding the goal. Unfortunately he can not reverse the decisions he made tonight and it will be a long hard season for him.

Jamie Fryatt, who has signed from Sunderland West End, attacks during the first half of the match.

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Northern League Division 1

Goal Scorer: Sunderland RCA FC  Southern (pen).

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA's starting line up was once again shuffled to bring in new signing John Parker to partner Ross Preston in the heart of the defence.

It took a late penalty converted by substitute David Southern to decide this competitive Ebac Northern League match.

RCA’s management team have been hard at work over the last week securing the services of players after transfer listing six players.

The new look team for today’s match at Dunston included centre back John Parker, who renews his partnership with Ross Preston at the heart of the RCA defence.

Dunston, who started the season shakily have steadied the ship recently and were unbeaten in their last six matches.

Both defences were on top from the off with Preston and Parker holding Bulford and Teasdale while Guerin-Lokonga and Barton were equally well marshalled by Swailes and Cattanach.

Dunston started well with McAndrew and Craggs causing a few scares early on.

In the 15th minute RCA were awarded a corner after some good work by Guerin-Lokonga; the corner was partially cleared, but fell to Richards who shot wide.

Dunston came back at RCA and in the 25th minute Parker was called upon to block a shot from Bulford with Preston tidying up to clear up field where Gibson was fouled. The winger got up and took the free kick which Connell fumbled under pressure from Preston and the ball fell to Barton who took the ball on his chest but saw his shot deflected wide by Cattanach.

Five minutes later and the game livened up as a shot from Craggs seemed to hit Forster on the hand, claims for a penalty were turned down and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box and the shot was blocked by RCA’s defensive wall.

A lovely through ball from Bulford to McAndrew in the 40th minute was equalled by a brilliant recovery challenge by Parker who managed to make up five yards to send the ball for a corner. Dixon met the resulting corner a firm header which went over the bar.

Guerin-Lokonga looked to have slipped his marker for the first time in the 43rd minute and was fouled as he looked to get in a shot. Gibson took the free kick from 20 yards out and his shot went inches over the bar with the keeper stranded.

The second half was much like the first with both defences doing well.

In the 50th minute RCA should have taken the lead when a corner from Fryatt reached Forster at the back post, but the RCA defender missed the target from two yards out.

A long clearance from Preston found Guerin-Lokonga unmarked, but the RCA forward shot wide when a crossfield pass may well have found Southern who was free inside the area.

Dunston having made substitutions nearly made RCA pay when Herron played in a ball which Preen met at the front post but he headed wide of the target.

RCA took the lead in the 80th minute as first Guerin-Lokonga looked to have been fouled, but managed to slide the ball to Gibson who was tackled from behind and  the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped substitute Southern to blast the ball into the net with Connell diving the wrong way.

Dunston threw everything but the kitchen sink at RCA in the final ten minutes and on 85 minutes McAndrew thundered a shot against the post and Parker was on hand to clear. As the clock ticked down Preen had another effort deflected for a corner by Fryatt and Swailes headed over the resulting corner.

RCA can look back on this week and probably say that refereeing decisions have both gone for and against them.

The big plus to take out of today is that our new look defence did look solid throughout the ninety minutes.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Northern League Division 1

Goal Scorers: SRCA  Guerin-Lokonga, Barton  Newton Aycliffe :  Hughes, Tarling.

The weather was miserable and so was the performance, bottom club Newton Aycliffe were well on top for the majority of this game and only some heroic goalkeeping by Neal Atkinson kept them at bay.

Their was only one change to the team,who performed so well at Dunston, with the inclusion of Gary Shields for the injured Nickolas Gibson.

Disaster struck as early as the 2nd minute when a woeful back pass by Henderson was intercepted 25 yards out and Hughes was able to carry the ball 10yards before smashing the ball past the helpless Atkinson and into the bottom corner.

RCA were almost allowed straight back into it as a misplaced pass from Young let in Shields, but Butterworth was able to get back and block the shot.

It coud so easily have been 2-0 when Young sent a great ball into the path of Earl who rounded Atkinson but was forced wide, he then squared the ball to the advancing Young who blasted the ball goalward only to see the recovering Atkinson pull off a tremendous save. Injuring himself in the process, there was a lengthy delay while he received treatment.

Hughes was causing all sorts of problems for the RCA defence and the Aycliffe 5 man midfield were well on top for the first 25 minutes.

RCA were resorting to the long ball to try and cut out the Aycliffe midfield but the ball was easily cleared by their defence.

RCA first real effort came when Guerin-Lokonga picked up a loose ball on the left wing, cut inside and then stabbed in a low shot which Pocklington was able to turn round the post for a corner.

This seemed to lift RCA and when Halliday won the ball on the half way line he slipped in a lovely ball to Guerin-Lokonga who dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a terrific shot across Pocklington and into the net.

For the first time in the game Aycliffe looked to be on the back foot and RCA were putting some serious pressure on the Aycliffe defence, Barton had a half chance which he fired wide and Shields also had a shot which was easily saved by Pocklington.

In injury time a cross from Fryatt was turned away for a corner which Halliday took. the ball was swung deep to the far post and was met by the unmarked Barton who headed into the net from 10 yards out.

Unbelievably RCA 2 Aycliffe 1 at half time.

RCA started well in the second half and Guerin-Lokonga was a real threat with his pace causing problems at the back for Aycliffe.

A good move between Guerin-Lokonga and Richards was blocked out by Butterworth at the expense of a corner,  Aycliffe looked like they hadn't learned the lesson from the first half as Barton rose once again unmarked but this time his header flashed over the bar.

Within a minute RCA should have gone 3 -1 up when another corner was sent over to the far post and this time it was defender Forster who ghosted in but from three yards out he also sent his header over the bar.

Aycliffe looked a little shell shocked, but were not in the mood for lying down.

RCA were defending well and looking threatening on the break with Guerin-Lokonga and Barton trying to get in behind the Aycliffe defence.

It all changed when Aycliffe made a double substitution with Mellanby and Woodhouse coming on in attack and RCA looked happy to defend deep and break quickly.

A long ball out of defence from Atkinson was headed into the path of Fryatt who, from 25 yards out, thundered in a shot which although dipping went over the bar with Pocklington stranded.

As the game entered its final phase Aycliffe started to ramp up the pressure and in the last 10 minutes, they create a number of chances.

Earl crossed in for the unmarked Young inside the area, but his effort was hit straight at Atkinson. A minute later and Tarling cut out a pass and found Young on the right, his cross was volleyed over the bar by Mellanby.

Young who had threatened all night fired in a shot from 25 yards out forcing a save from Atkinson. The RCA goalkeeper then launched a long ball into the heart of Aycliffe's defence and only some good defending and a bad bounce denied Guerin-Lokonga his second goal as the ball veered away from him with only the keeper to beat.

In the 85 Close produced a slide rule pass to Hughes, but the winger was once again denied by the man of the match Atkinson.

In the second minute of stoppage time, a hopefull ball by Mellanby to the back post was met by the outstretched leg of Tarling and the Aycliffe skipper somehow managed to guide it into the net

There was still time for RCA to respond and they almopst made Aycliffe pay when a cross shot from Richards was defelected by Close towards the top corner of his own goal but Pocklington was able to get across and save.

RCA were lucky to get away with the draw tonight but it seems to be the way with the team at the moment. Great against the good teams in the league and medeocre to poor against the lower teams in the league.

Positives from tonight: Atkinson was supurb, solid performances from both Parker and Preston and Guerin-Lokonga will always be a threat up front. but why oh why do we put him on the keeper for set pieces when he has scored three of his six goals coming off the back post from corners.

Saturday, 27 October 2012

Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Newcastle Benfield Ormston (2) Young.

Sunderland RCA's terrible home Hoodoo continues with a defeat to Newcastle Benfield FC at Meadow Park.

In a woefully below par first half RCA fell behind 2-0 after some poor defending gifted Benfield the goals. With this initiative they never looked back and although RCA improved in the second period it was never enough to get back into the game.

Benfield, under new manager Tony Woodhouse, started the game really well keeping posession and making RCA work extremely hard to get the ball.

In the seventh minute their possession football paid off when Pounder received the ball on the left, played a one two with Kane before crossing into the box where Preston, although first to the ball, only directed his header to the feet of Ormston who guided the ball past Atkinson and into the net.

RCA were finding it difficult to get hold of the ball and when they did they couldn't string two passes together. 

Benfield were attacking relentlessly and it was no suprise when, in the 20th minute a good ball into the box from Young found Benjamin, as the Benfield forward tried to turn he was fouled by Parker and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Ormston strode up and placed the ball to the left of Atkinson who managed to get a hand to it, but could only palm it into the net.  

In the 26th minute RCA created their first attampt on goal when Guerin-Lokonga rounded Leighton before shooting low but Grainger was able to get down and parry round the corner. Benfield sucessfully defended the corner and set up yet another attack.

Although RCA were getting a lot more of the ball they were not having any success in the final third of the pitch with Coulson and Leighton in no mood to concede anything today.

Benfield also looked like they were ready to rest on their laurels until half time as the game drifted into a midfield stalemate. The only chance fell to Preston in the 42nd minute when a corner was headed away by Coulson and Preston's snap shot went narrowly wide.

The second half saw an improvement in the RCA team as they committed more to attack and in the 50th minute Southern played in Gilbert and the RCA full back produced a great shot which brought an even better reaction save from Grainger.

Ex-Sunderland AFC and Durham City player Home-Jackson making his debut replaced the under par Barton and almost scored with his first touch of the ball, a cross from Gilbert was headed down by Guerin-Lokonga into the path of Home-Jackson who chose to head the ball goalwards, Grainger was able to react and was fortunate that the ball came straight at him.

Within a minute Fryatt was unlucky with a dipping shot which went narrowly over the bar.

Benfield weathered this early onslaught by RCA and in the 71st minute extended their lead when a Grainger goalkick was missed by Richards in midfield and the ball ran through to Young who was unmarked 25 yards out and he made no mistake firing the ball past the helpless dive of Atkinson.

The RCA team were physically shaken by this goal and although they rallied and Preston saw one thundering header richocette off Leighton when it was heading for the top corner and Guerin-Lokonga had a shot brilliantly saved by Grainger the effort was a little to late to make a difference and Benfield were the team who ran out worthy winners in the end.

This is the first time this season that the team have been beaten by more than one goal and might be the kick up the behind that they needed before next week's matches at Billingham Town on Tuesday and Saturday.   

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Durham County Challenge Cup - First Round

Goalscorers: SRCA:  Home-Jackson, Parker, Guerin-Lokonga, Marshall (2) Billingham Town: Davies (3) Butterworth.

Seldom in my years of watching football can I remember nine absolutely wonderful goals in one game and all added to a great night of drama at Bedford Terrace.   

If the EBAC Northern League game on Saturday is half as entertaining as this Durham Challenge Cup tie then we are in for another cracking match.

RCA welcomed back Jamie Davis after a long absence with a calf injury, they also included new signing Jordan Marshall and recalled Wayne Henderson and Craig Shields.

The manager also reshuffled his formation opting to play 4-3-3.

From the off RCA took the initiative as Fryatt conbined with Southern to set up a chance for Marshall, but the debutant snatched at his shot.

RCA were playing some good football with Davis looking comfortable in a central midfield role dictating the flow of play. Guerin-Lokonga had the best chance as a clever ball from Davis fell at the striker's feet and he took aim but blazed his effort wide.

Billingham were themselves looking dangerous on the counter attack with Davies posing a threat on the left and it was he who opened the scoring against the run of play. A freekick midway between the half way line and the 18 yard area was driven in to Davies who controlled it, backheeled it past the RCA defence before powering home an unstoppable shot past the helpless Shields.

RCA responded and only some desperate defending by Town kept them at bay. 

A surging run by Guerin-Lokonga saw him past the last defender but forced wide, he cut the ball back to Southern who in turn slid the ball to Home-Jackson on the edge of the box and he curled in a superb shot which took a slight deflection on its way into the top corner of the net.

Within five minutes it was 2-1 to RCA a corner on the left was taken by Southern who drilled a perfectly flighted ball into the box and rising head and shoulders above everyone else, Parker was able to power the ball past the despairing dive of Molyneaux.

RCA were in almost total command now with Town's only outlet being Davies. Gibson and Butterworth were working hard with little joy as they were well marshalled by the RCA defence. On the few occassions that they did trouble the defenders the final ball was not quite right.

Town had Molyneaux to thank for the score remaining at 2-1 when he pulled of a great save from Davis and Cossavella tidied up as Guerin-Lokonga looked to pounce.

The second half started as the first half had finished with RCA pushing forward and Town on the back foot.

In the 50th minute a great move saw Southern send Marshall down the right wing. He went past the defender before showing great composure then crossing low into a crowded area where Guerin-Lokonga was first to the ball to shoot low into the bottom corner of the net.

There was more joy for RCA eight minutes later when Davis picked up the ball inside his own half, dribbled past three players before playing a great reverse ball to Marshall who took one touch before hooking the ball towards goal only for Cossavella to get across and block the shot for a corner. Southern took the corner which was headed clear, but only as far as Marshall who faced with a crowded box somehow managed ro drill the ball home with the keeper rooted to the spot.

4-1 up, game over you would have thought. Town hadn't read the script, a clearance from Molyneaux went straight to Davies who was fully 40 yards from goal and as the ball bounced in front of him he hit it and it thundered into the roof of the net past Shields to make it 4-2.

Back came RCA and a great run down the right by substitute Beasley saw his cross charged down by the hand of Perry and the referee pointed to the spot. In the auguments that ensued Perry was shown a second yellow card and  a little unfairly dismissed.

Up stepped substitute Barton to fire in a weak shot which Molyneaux saved comfortably down to his right before sending Davies on his way again, the Town winger passed the ball to Butterworth who was fouled on the edge of the area. Up stepped Davies and completed his hat trick with a low shot past the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

The game was on fire now as the Town tried desperately to create an equaliser and RCA were clinging on to a slender lead which only 10 minutes ago was looking comfortable.

With time running out another great through ball found Butterworth and the Town Striker volleyed the ball home to make it unbelievably 4-4 and extra time.

Extra time was played at a reasonably high tempo given the pace of the first 90 minutes but neither keeper was really tested and it looked like the 10 men of Billingham were going to take the game to penalties. Then in the 117th minute a corner taken by Southern was met by Preston, defended by O'Brien but the ball fell to Marshall on the penalty spot and he finished with a tremendous shot that gave Molyneux no chance.

An entertaining game if you weren't the RCA management team who must have been tearing their hair out.

Some players were given a chance to prove themselves tonight, some took the opportunity but others didn't when the going got tough the lungs gave in. Extra training apparently not.

Finally, when will we learn that the game isn't over until the final whistle? I have lost count how many times we have capitulated in the final ten minutes of games.

Positives from tonight: Davis looked good and hopefully will be available for Saturday, Marshall did ok and scored two goals.