Saturday, 3 November 2012

Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Southern (pen). Billingham Town FC: Dunwell

Well it was back to Billingham Town for the second time this week and as in the first there was plenty of excitement, two penalties, bars hit, great saves and to add to the drama a little bit of controversy (when will the league direct us to install goal line technology).

Both teams made changes for this league encounter. The SRCA changes were Atkinson recalled in goal, Randhawa made the starting line up for the first time at left back and into the midfield came Close who took over the armband.

As on Tuesday the opening minutes were very much a time to get used to the feel of the game.

In the fifth minute a corner was awarded to RCA and Southern crossed to the near post were Davies flicked the ball over the heads of the Billingham defence to Parker at the far post, but the RCA defender could only poke the ball into the side netting.

Within a minute Home-Jackson picked up the ball inside Billingham's half, rode three challenges before releasing the ball to Southern who in turn curled the ball wide for the overlapping Marshall, his cross was inches too high for Guerin-Lokonga.

Not to be outdone Billingham responded with Davies picking the ball up on the left, checking his run before curling a great cross into the box for Martin who headed straght at Atkinson.

Only into the tenth minute and the fireworks really did start, a freekick on the left for RCA was taken by Southern who fired in a terrific curling shot which, although well saved by Molyneaux was well behind the line when he clawed it out, this was missed entirely by the assistant referee and RCA protests were waved away.

Southern was getting involved in most of RCA's moves and it was his one two with Close which set up Home-Jackson who mesmerised the Billingham defence with a deft chip which Molyneaux somehow managed to fingertip onto the bar and Cossavella cleared.

In the 20th minute a Billingham were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Butterworth fired in a great dipping and curling shot which Atkinsom did well to tip over the bar. RCA broke quickly from the corner and Randhawa was fouled, Southern took the freekick and it was headed down Marshall into the path of Parker but he shot wide.

The game was swinging from end to end and the earlier superiority of RCA was missing. Dunwell had a good effort easily saved by Atkinson. who quickly threw the ball to Randhawa and the full back, running at speed clipped in a great cross for Home-Jackson but he fired wide.

In the 30th minute Billingham should have opened the scoring when Butterworth slipped the ball inside to Macdonald and he sent in a delightful ball to Dunwell who fired wide. However a minute later he made no mistake. RCA's defence was left standing as MacDonald slipped free to sent in a perfect pass to Dunwell who made no mistake this time

RCA picked themselves up and another cross from Randhawa found Marshall unmarked inside the six yard area, but he headed wide.

The first half slipped away with no further chances being created.

The second half came to life after only two minutes when Davis skipped past two defenders before curling in a shot which went narrowly wide of Molynueax upright.

RCA continued to probe and press the Billingham defence but came across a defiant Billingham defence who made great use of the ball in counter attacks, utilising both wings to great effect.

The RCA captain Close was starting to become more effective in the midfield and he almost created the equaliser with a wonderful throughball to Southern, unfortunately the shot did not measure up to the pass wand went harmlessly wide.

However, 2 minutes later, Close was pushed to the floor inside the penalty area afer a surging run had taken him past the defender and the referee awardeda penalty. Soft or not up stepped Southern to drive the ball home despite Molyneuax getting a hand to it.

In the 60th minute Crossman sent in a cross which found Cossavella and his effort brought a reflex save from Atkinson turning the ball away with his feet.

Billingham were looking the most likely to score at this point and Dunwell had two great chances to kill the game off but sent his efforts wide of the target.

Harrison Davies bursting into the box looked to be held by Parker and the referee awarded a penalty, Butterworth took the kick and blazed it high and wide.

RCA having survived this scare took the game to Billingham again and the exciting Davis curled yet another shot just wide.

Butterworth after his penalty miss, went on a long run which saw him pick up the ball inside his own half and ended with him firing wide. The goal kick found Randhawa who swung in a hopeful cross, Fryatt made ground to meet the ball and his first time volley was deflected inches wide of the upright with the keeper stranded.

At the other end it was that man again Harrison Davies taking a freekick from just outside the, his shot skimmed the crossbar to the relief of the RCA players.

In the final minute of the game RCA had a chance to snatch all 3 points when Randhawa beat two defenders on the by-line before clipping in a cross onto the head of Barton but the RCA striker, usually so clinical  in these situations, managed to steer the ball wide of the upright from 1 yard out.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result although, like Tuesday, it could so easily have been 4-4.

On the plus side Close is back and Davis looks to have recovered from his injury well. Marshall, Home-Jackson, Randhawa and Cutts all need to work on their fitness.

Next up Spennymoor Town FC, out of the frying pan ……………………….

 

6 November 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goal scorers: SRCA : Barton Spennymoor : Walton.

Once again changes needed to be made to the RCA line-up with Gilbert and Forster recalled into the defence, Cutts making his home debut in place of Close and Gibson recalled to play out wide left.

I think the majority of home supporters would have taken a draw at the start of this game as Neil and his backroom staff, continue to redevelope the squad. They would certainly have taken a draw after 50 minutes when 1-0 down and facing a second penalty kick.

Liken this to a Rocky film, on the ropes backs to the wall and then a piece of inspiration comes from nothing, the penalty missed, a hard tackle on the half way line and RCA found the spirit and determination which has been lacking in recent performances. Suddenly they looked like a team with something to prove.

Spennymoor started by far the better and could have been 2 up inside 5 minutes as Ex-RCA winger Walton raced into space to fire in two cracking shots, the first saved by Atkinson and the second hitting the side netting, to be fair Atkinson looked to have it covered.

5 minutes into the game and it was Walton again, collecting a through ball from Dodds he turned and fired in a low shot which again went into the side netting.

In the 15 minute Spennymoor were awarded a corner which was taken by Phillips who swung the ball towards the far post, Atkinson came to collect and in doing so collided with a Spennymoor player and landed awkwardly, after 4 minutes of treatment he got back to his feet and recommenced the game only to go down again within a minute unable to continue and was substituted, Craig Shields taking his place.

 Moors’ were using the pace of Richardson to good effect and when Moore sent a long ball up field the attacker was first to the ball and his square pass was met by Walton who fired straight at Shields.

On the half hour another through ball this time from Graydon looked to be going out for a Goal kick but Richardson chasing after it was fouled by Parker and a penalty was awarded. Walton stepped up and fired in a low shot which Shields managed to save but Walton following up tapped home the rebound to make it 1-0 to the Moors’.

Spennymoor were dominating possession at this point and it was only a combination of determined tackling in midfield and good defending that kept the score at 1-0.

Phillips was starting to get some joy on the right and it was from one of his crosses that the next chance fell to Richardson but he fired well over the bar.

It wasn’t until the 39 minute that RCA had any sort of a chance when Richards won the ball and played in Cutts who then carried the ball forward before shooting over the bar from 20 yards out.

In the final minute of injury time Cutts again got into a good position and for the first time in the half Knight had to make a save as the shot from Cutts took a deflection, but the keeper made the save look easy.  

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Walton stealing in from the right wing and unleashing a wick shot which flew narrowly over the bar.

In the 50 minute another surging run from Richardson saw him get to the goal line and cross in, the ball struck the hand of an RCA defender and penalty number two was awarded. Inexplicably the penalty was taken by Phillips who thumped the ball against the post and Preston made a desperate clearance from the rebound.

RCA brought on Guerin-Lokonga for the ineffective Home-Jackson and straight away the forward caused problems when closing down Laws.

A long ball out of defence by Mason was chested down by Davison into the path of Richardson who’s first time shot went wide of the mark.

Within a minute Graydon picked up a loose ball in the centre of midfield and thundered in a shot which was well saved by Shields.

Graydon and Richards were involved in a very competitive battle in the centre of the park and it was no surprise when Richards was booked for a reckless challenge on the half way line followed by a booking for Graydon two minutes later for a similar tackle.

RCA seemed to take inspiration from the penalty miss and the competitiveness shown in mid field to at last start creating chances of their own, Guerin-Lokonga outpaced Dodds before sending the ball into the box for Barton but his shot was deflected over by Laws.

Fryatt picked the ball up on the half way line played a one two with Gilbert before sending a great cross field ball to Barton who just didn’t have the pace of Dodds and Moors were able to clear their lines.

This was easily RCA’s best spell of the game and in the 76 minute they equalised when Richards dispossessed Graydon and played the ball to Cutts who in turn found Fryatt on the right wing, he cut inside before sending in a beautiful cross which Barton managed to head home under enormous pressure from Laws.

Moors’ came back at RCA but never really troubled Shields and it was RCA who had the next chance as Guerin-Lokonga once again beat Groves before crossing to Barton at the far post, unfortunately he mis-hit his shot into the ground and it went wide.

Moors brought on Cogdon and he had an immediate effect with his direct running and pace, a half hearted appeal for yet another penalty was turned down by the referee when Richardson seemed to go down very easily.

In the final minute of the game another piece of magic by Cogdon saw him take on a number of defenders before sending in a cross shot which skimmed the bar and deep into injury time that same player fired in a shot which hit the post and rebounded to safety.

RCA did well to come away with a point and on the second half display few could argue that they didn’t deserved it. Moors’ should have been out of sight in the first half but a gritty determination saw RCA through to half time.

 

New signing Jordan Marshall tries to find a way past the Ashington skipper in the first half of the match.

10 November 2012

Ebac Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA : None.        Ashington FC: Walton, Taylor (2), O'Dea, Antony, Johnson.

Please cick here for photos from the match.

In this prelude to the FA Vase match next week RCA were forced into making five changes to the team that played so well against Spennymoor on Tuesday.

Jamie Fryatt was getting married and in attendance was Forster, Gilbert was missing, also attending a wedding, Richards suspended and Gibson injured were also unavailable , so in came Henderson, Beasley, Davis, Marshall and Southern.

RCA suffered their worst defeat under manager Neil Hixon at Meadow Park this afternoon, it was also in Neil's opinion the worst performance from an RCA team in five years. If it hadn't been for Atkinson then it could so easily have been double figures.

Ashington dominated from start to finish and RCA could not match their passing and movement.

Ashington started the game in emphatic style, passing the ball and causing RCA all sorts of problems in the opening five minutes, their passing and movement was frightening and RCA were left chasing shadows.

The opening goal after seven minutes was typical of the lack of concentration that was to dog RCA for the rest of the afternoon. A quick throw in was picked up by Walton, unmarked  on the edge of the box and he was allowed space to place the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes later it got even worse for RCA when a cross into the box was dropped by Atkinson, who looked to have been fouled, he was still protesting to the referee when Taylor picked up the loose ball and fired home.

It was one way traffic, downhill and with the wind, for Ashington as their made their superiority tell with wave after wave of attacks. In the 15th minute a shot from O’Dea went narrowly wide with the RCA defence just watching as he fired in from 25 yards.

In the 22nd minute Atkinson was forced into the save of the season when from eight yards out Taylor connected with a volley which was destined for the top corner of the net, but somehow Atkinson not only got a hand to it he had enough strength to take the ball clear of the goal and for a corner.

RCA were trying desperately to get a foothold into the game and Barton was working hard up front just to get a touch of the ball, he did have one effort on goal which was easily saved by Dryden.

Back came Ashington and a long ball by Lough was laid off by Walton into the path of O’Dea who fired in a low shot which was once again equalled by a brilliant save from Atkinson low down to his right turning the ball round the post for a corner.

Un the 29th minute another corner to Ashington was swung towards the near post and O’Dea, unmarked, met the ball superbly to flick in a header which gave Atkinson no chance.

A minute later and it was 4-0 as RCA capitulated completely and allowed Antony enough time and space to score and five minutes later a mistake by Beasley as the last man let in Johnson who rounded the keeper to fire into an empty net.

RCA huffed and puffed to no avail as Ashington seemed to take their foot off the pedal, but even given time and space on the ball they were finding it hard to string two passes together.

In the last minute of the first half Atkinson was forced to make another miraculous save again from Taylor who took one look at goal from 25 yards out and let rip, Atkinson in the right position made the save palming the ball over the bar.

Guerin-Lokonga, Halliday and Gary Shields replaced Marshall, Southern and Beasley in an attempt to halt the Ashington onslaught and in the opening minute of the second half it looked to have paid dividends when Guerin-Lokonga picked up the ball and ran at the heart of the Ashington defence before squaring the ball to Barton who slipped just before the ball came to him and Antony cleared.

Ashington’s response was to attack down the right with Johnson who passed to Taylor who fired wide.

RCA looking a little more threatening with Shields on the left, created the next opening when Guerin-Lokonga and Home-Jackson combined to set up Cutts but the midfielders shot was weak and easily cleared by Atkin.

In the 53rd minute the game was over as a competitive match as James Taylor picked up the ball, gave it to Johnson and his perfect cross was met at the far post by Glen Taylor and his looping header sailed into the net.

Home-Jackson produced a rare glimpse of his ability when he clipped in a shot but it went well wide of the upright.

For the first time in the game RCA were actually putting some pressure on the visitors goal and a good move between Shields and Barton, which saw the latter cross the ball into the box and it was only a fingertip save from Dryden that deflected the ball away from a Guerin-Lokonga certain goal.  

It was all to little to late for RCA and although they were starting to get better they never really created anything that troubled the keeper.

In the 70th minute a cross was driven in by Dugdale, saved by the feet of Atkinson and the ball spun into the path of Walton who headed over the bar.

The last 20 minutes were played out in almost a training exercise as both teams seemed resigned to the scoreline. In the last minute a blistering shot by Halliday was probably worthy of a goal but it was two yards wide of the goal.

All in all a bad day at the office and time over the next few days to reflect on the forthcoming cup games. It has to be said that the players who came in today did not do themselves justice and will need to improve dramatically.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

League Cup Second Round 

The Merry Go round of changes to the team was in evidence again in this League Cup second round match at a bitterly cold Tow Law.

RCA made six changes to the team so comprehensively beaten at the week end. In came Gilbert, Forster, Halliday, Shields (G), Close and Guerin-Lokonga. Out went Henderson, Beasley, Davis, Marshall, Cutts and Southern.

This radical change didn't seem to do the trick as once again we went into a commanding lead, looked comfortable and then let it slip away and near the end of ninety minutes it could so easily have been Tow Law who went it the draw for the third round.

Give Tow Law there due they played really well and made it difficult for us especially in the second half.

The game started with a strong wind blowing across the pitch which the players took some time to get used to.

It was the Lawyers who settled the quickest and they had the majority of the first 10 minutes, Wilson was first to have a strike at goal but his effort went wide of the post, two minutes later a shot from Turnbull was well saved by Atkinson as Tow Law pressed forward.

In the tenth minute they were awarded afreekick 25 yards out which Pattinson took, he floated in a lovely cross which Preston headed away as far as Harrison and the Lawyers full back snapped in a shot which went well wide.

RCA having withstood the early pressure RCA struck back and were unlucky not the take the lead when a great surging run by Shields ended with a delivery into the box where Barton managed to get a shot in which was in turn headed by Home-Jackson narrowly wide of the upright.

Tow Law responded through Pottinger who went on a mazy run, beating two defenders before cutting inside and unleashing a shot which was blocked by Parker.

With 18 minutes gone a freekick taken by Home-Jackson was headed down by Guering-Lokonga into the path of Barton who mishit the shot straight to Robinson.

With wind causing havoc with anything in the air both teams started to play the ball on the ground and this was causing further problems as the ball bobbled on the uneven pitch. It was great credit to both teams that  they were able to serve up a fairly entertaining match.

RCA took the lead in the simplest of fashions, a Home-Jackson corner found Parker, unmarked on the penalty spot and he blasted the ball through a crowd of players into the net.

Within three minutes it was 2-0, again a corner, this time taken by Shields was not cleared and as the ball looped into the air Barton got a head on it to guide it into the net.

The Lawyers were understandably deflated by this double blow and took some time to get back their composure.

Meanwhile RCA continued to threaten and it was only a well timed tackle by Brassell on Close that stopped the RCA Captain from getting through on goal.

The lawyers had a good chance just before the end of the half when Pottinger set up Watkinson but he shat straight at Atkinson.

The second half started in explosive style when in the 48th minute Thompson picked up the ball in his own half and was allowed to carry it for 30 yards before unleashing a terrific thunderbolt of a shot which flew into the top corner of the net.

RCA were awarded freekick in the 50th minutes and Shields took it quickly passing the ball to Halliday who found Parker at the far post his header went across the face of the goal and was missed by Guerin-Lokonga from 2 yards out.

Having rode their luck Tow Law came back with a freekick of their own in the 60th minute. Harrison found Brassell inside the area and the Lawyers captain turned and fired in a rocket of a shot to make it 2-2.

As the game wore on it looked likely that a mistake would cost one team dearly, although both teams had great chances to score, Parker for RCA was clean through, but slid his shot wide and Brassell also shot wide when in a promising position.

So to extra time, played at a more sedate pace nobody wanting to make a mistake and the creativity was being negated by some great tackling, stout defending and solid goalkeeping.

Only one real chance was created in the first period a shot from Southern was well saved by Robinson.

In the second period it was much of the same, a lot of hussle and bustle but nothing to test the keepers until the second of last minute when a corner by Southern was uncharacteristically, palmed away by Robinson and Henderson at the back post sliced his shot wide.

Penalties, love them or hate them they are very entertaining for the spectators.

First three penalties missed, up stepped Southern to open RCA’s account, Two more missed penalties before Brassell made it 1-1. Atkinson made it 2-1 before Thompson equalised. Shields scored with RCA's final penalty and Tow Law missed their last one putting RCA through to the next round.

Not really the sort of preparation required before an FA Cup match on Saturday.       

  

RCA keeper Neal Atkinson catches the last of the winter sun as he clears down field in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

FA Vase 2nd Round

Please click here for photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA failed in their bid to progress to the next round of the FA Vase when they were defeated by a very well organised Ashington team.

Although the result and the match itself was a lot tighter than the preceding fixture a week ago when Ashington thumped RCA 6-0, the writing was on the wall as early as the 11th minute when a free kick from Johnson struck Close and flew into the top corner of the net.

Ashington followed this up in 36th minute when an innocuous looking corner was allowed to travel to the back post where Grieve side footed home.

RCA fans had to wait until the 80th minute for any joy when Southern converted a penalty.

On balance RCA maybe could have forced a draw, but they could so easily have been three or four down at half time.

The Colliers started well and inside two minutes, Taylor found Walton free on the right and he drove in a shot across the face of goal which Atkinson was pleased to see go wide.

Within five minutes the Colliers almost scored when a through pass from Gray was smothered by Atkinson at the feet of Lough.

Ashington took the lead in the 11th minute. Johnson's free-kick from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Close to fly into the top corner of the net.

RCA replied with some good controlled football. Close found Guerin-Lokonga on the left wing and he produced a quality cross to the far post where Halliday was unlucky with his first time effort which went narrowly wide.

O’Dea had the next effort on goal, but he lifted his shot over the bar. Within a minute the same player played in Johnson on the right and he fired in a shot which flew wide of the far upright. In the 25th minute Johnson, who was causing RCA major problems, was again put through by O'Dea, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Atkinson.

RCA once again got a foothold on the game enjoying some good possession and when Guerin-Lokonga was fouled on the edge of the box, Home-Jackson curled in a free kick to the far post where Gilbert headed the ball over the bar with Guerin-Lokonga possibly in a better position.

A minute later and some good attacking play was rewarded with a corner to RCA. Home-Jackson took the corner and Guerin-Lokonga ghosting in at the far post glanced his header wide of the target.

RCA where punished for these two misses when a corner taken by Johnson, was flicked on at the near post by O'Dea and Grieve, unmarked at the back post was able to steer the ball into the net.

Shocked and disappointed by this RCA tried to regroup before half time, but although they maintained possession well they were not able to cause Ashington any defensive problems.

The second half saw RCA in a much more positive mood and this was displayed when the first effort of the half fell to Gilbert who cut inside the full back before unleashing a shot which went narrowly wide.

Johnson continued to be a thorn in the side of RCA and in the 49th minute he had directed an effort straight down the throat of Atkinson.

Back came RCA and Shields found space down the right, beat two players before cutting the ball back only to see Drayden block the shot and Atkin reacted quickly to clear the ball with Home-Jackson breathing down his neck.

RCA were going all out to get a goal back and efforts by Home-Jackson and Gilbert both went wide as RCA cranked up the pressure.

Henderson came on and with his first touch of the game almost scored when given a free header from a corner by Josh Home-Jackson, which he directed just wide of the goal.

Ashington's response was to pile forward and in the 74th minute produced a great move between, Antony, and Johnson before releasing Walton who passed two defenders across the edge of the box before blasting in a shot which looked destined for the top corner, but Atkinson was able to produce a great save, tipping the ball over the bar for a corner.

In the 80th minute, RCA were thrown a lifeline when Henderson was upended inside the area by Taylor and Southern, who had only been on the field two minutes, stepped forward to send Dryden the wrong way.

With ten minutes to go this set up a tense finale to a competitive match and when Southern played in Guerin-Lokonga it could so easily have been 2-2, but a great defensive challenge by Grieve robbed the RCA striker of the opportunity.

RCA were pouring forward at every opportunity put were leaving gaps in the defence, which Ashington were exploiting and they had two chances to extend their lead through Lough and Walton who should have done better from a good position.

The final whistle blew to the relief of the Ashington contingent and the dismay of the RCA supporters.

Saturday, 24 November 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for Stev48's photos from the match, including a terrific photo of our George with two Synthonia fans.

RCA welcomed into the team two old faces and one new with the return of Adam McGuinness and Lee Owens and the introduction of ex-Synners favorite James Magowan.

The team also had to be reshuffled when goalkeeper Neal Atkinson pulled up with a thigh strin during the warm up and the No 1 jersey was handed over to Craig Shields.

The game itself was shrouded in fog for much of the first half, but what could be seen was the constant attacking flair of Synners as they took the game to RCA with some good, skillful interplay and RCA were forced to defend for long periods. As the game entered the later stages of the half the fog descended and RCA started to make some inroads into the Synners' defence.

The match kicked off in heavy fog and in the opening two minutes Synners retained the ball well making it impossible for RCA players to get near it. A slick move started with Liddle sending a defence spliting pass into the path of Wilson who fired over the bar from 20 yards.

Shortly after this Liddle found Jennings on the edge of the box and the ex-RCA player held the ball up before returning a pass to Liddle who fired wide of the upright with shileds at full stretch.

The game settled down into a midfield battle which for the most part was being won by the influential play of Synners' captain Liddle. 

In the 15th minute a ball from Robinson to the left wing was picked up by Jennings who whipped in a cross which was met by Newby who shot high and wide.

RCA were looking to Owens to get going on the left wing and the RCA player showed a glimpse of his skill when he picked up the ball and ran 30 yards past three defenders before being tackled by Robinson.

On 25 minutes Synners had probably their best chance when Blyth cut in from the left, passed the ball to Liddle who in turn passed the ball into the path of Burton who burst into the box, but his shot from 12 yards out went across the face of the goal and wide of the far post.

RCA thought that they had opened the scoring on the half hour mark. They were awarded corner and Owens took it short to Close who measured his cross to the far post where Magowan was on hand to head home; unfortunately he was adjudged to be offside.

Having weathered the onslaught from Synners, RCA were fighting back and when Close was fouled on the touchline, Forster took the freekick which was headed down by Parker and scrambled clear for a corner. Owens took the corner crossing to the near post where McGuinness was first to the ball clipping it into the six yard box and the ball was clreared by Robinson.

The fog was getting worse as half time approached and both teams had chances to open the scoring, a header from Guerin-Lokonga went narrowly over the bar for RCA and Burto fired straight at Shields when in a good position

At half time referee Paul Keogh abandoned the match as the fog continued to decended.