11 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

The ground staff worked wonders to get the pitch in order for this match to go ahead, unfortunately their efforts were in vain as RCA recorded yet another home defeat.

With RCA giving debuts to no fewer than four players it was always going too be tough against a well organised Bedlington outfit, but to record no shots on target, other than McGuinness' goal which was ruled out for offside, was disappointing to say the least.

The game started well enough with RCA forcing the pace, a through ball from Close found Rivers who turned and fired in a snap shot which went just wide of the post with Ball well beaten. Within a minute a long ball from Bussey was chested down by Magowan to Rivers and the resulting shot also went narrowly wide.

Bedlington replied through Shandran, when he met a great cross from Baptist but could only head over from eight yards out.

Shandran made amends a minute later when he gave Bedlington the lead. Brayson fired in a shot which was tipped onto the bar by Bussey and Shandran was the first to react heading home the rebound from insidw the six yard area.

This set up a period of play which saw Bedlington well on top and it could so easily have been 2-0 when Gate beat the offside trap but fired across the face of goal and past the post.

Gate was instrumental in the next good chance when he beat two defenders before slipping the ball to Brayson who fired the ball past Bussey but the ball stuck in the mud and McGuinness was able to clear off the line.

Wih the pitch cutting up and play getting scrappy there was little further goalmouth action. Rivers was a constant threat for RCA as was Brayson and Shandran for Bedlington.

In the 40th minute RCA were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which was taken by McGuinness, but his curling shot went inches over the bar. 

The second half started much as the first had ended with the game bogged, excuse the pun, down in a midfield battle.

It wasn't until the 60th minute that either team had a shot at goal;  a well worked freekick by Bedlington saw Carr cross to pell who headed into the path of Shandran, but he headed wide.

RCA were starting, for the first time in the game to get into the match, using the slope to their advantage. A crossfield ball from Owens found Magowan in space, but the RCA striker snatched at the shot and it spun away harmlessly.

On came Guerin-Lokonga and Barton to add fire power to the RCA attack but it was never going to be RCA's night. For all the possession the only real opportunity came from a corner which was missed by Ball in the Bedlington goal, and fell to Richards whose shot was part blocked and McGuinness fired home only to be, rightly, ruled offside.

In the full game, I can only recall the keepers actually being called upon to make three saves between them.

RCA need to have a time of stability within the team, so that players can gel together but it is the same old story of plenty of possession and little effective fire power. On the plus side young Rivers does not look out of place at this level and was on the night probably our best player. 

 

Aristote Guerin-Lokonga heads home RCA's only goal in the 1 - 5 home defeat.

Saturday, 15 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: RCA Guerin-Lokonga:  Bishop Auckland  Johnson 3 Megran, Jardine

Please click here for photos from the match

This hastily arranged League match against a high flying Bishops turned into a disaster both on and off the pitch, 76 turned up to watch the match, probably only 50 of them paying for the privilege and the Officials were from Scarborough and Redcar by far the most expensive this season.

On the pitch the woeful display by the home team was nothing short of disgraceful, there was no passion or endeavour, it looked and felt like a Sunday morning match. Everything that was good about the team last season and at the beginning of this season was missing. We are now embroiled in a relegation battle and need to pick up points quickly.

There were two notable performances, Rivers and Guerin-Lokonga did put some effort into the match, but produced little in the way of end product. Contrast this with Johnson and ex-RCA player Jardine who harassed RCA's defence all afternoon and got their reward in abundance.

RCA welcomed Bishops for yet another match and unfortunately the results of recent visits by the two blues was completely turned on its head as they ran out easy winners.

The match kicked off on a very wet pitch which had been well prepared by the RCA ground staff although it did cut up quite badly it was well playable and there were no complaints by either team before during or after the match.

RCA started positively and almost opened the scoring in the opening 5 minutes when Owens lobbed the ball goal ward, it bounced up and onto the top of the crossbar, although Jeffries looked to have the goal covered.

Atkinson pulled off a double save from Johnson after a strong run saw him fire in a low shot which was saved by the keepers foot, Johnson followed up blasting the ball goal ward and Atkinson again saved with his feet before the ball was cleared.

Bishops took the lead minutes later, a ball over the top was flicked by Megran to Johnson who rounded the 'keeper then flicked the ball into an empty net.

Bishops doubled the lead on 34 minutes when McGuinness was late with a tackle on Johnson the striker picked himself up to take tha spot kick firing it low to the Atkinson's right to make it 2-0.

A great run by Gibson, who beat the offside trap saw him cut inside before unleashing a powerful, curling shot which Jeffries did well to turn round the post for a corner.

Gibson took the corner and Guerin-Lokonga stooped low to head home through a sea of legs and it looked like game on.

However, just before the interval Wearmouth found Jardine with a lovely ball and the Striker repaid with a perfectly weighted pass, Wearmouth created space before firing in a shot which was half blocked but the ball found Megran eight yards out and he fired home to make it 3-1.

Johnson hit the post twice with one shot on 56 minutes when his near post shot was parried onto the post by Atkinson. The ball rebounded off the 'keeper and back onto the post before being gathered at the third attempt.

A long ball out of defence found Owens who broke past the last defender, but his first touch took the ball away from his feet and Jeffries made a great save racing tout and diving at his feet.

Johnson completed his hat-trick just before the hour with a near post blast which flew in to make it 4-1.

Bishops were well on top now and  as low shot by Bell was well saved by Atkinson the RCA keeper was called into action minutes later as Bell fired in another shot this time the ball was kicked off the line by the keeper. Then Johnson fired one past the post as the game headed to a conclusion.

In the final minute Bishops were awarded a fortunate penalty as Jardine lost his footing taking on a defender in the box. Ex RCA player Jardine was given the chance to open his account for Bishops from the spot and duly slotted home to conclude the scoring.

RCA play South Shields on Tuesday and need a big performance to appease their supporters

18 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Guerin-Lokonga (2), Monson, OG.  South Shields: Graham, Coe.

Please click here for the Sky Tyne and Wear coverage.

Preparation for this game was considerable hampered an hour before kick off with the announcement that first choice keeper Neal Atkinson had hung up his gloves and second choice keeper Craig Shields was still feeling the effects of a hand injury so into the cauldron stepped Neal Bussey for his second appearance for RCA.

Just when we thought we had the team sorted we received notice from Nick Gibson that his car had broken down on the A1. Jamie Fryatt stepped in to replace him.

The management team also gave a debut to Nathan Monson a recent signing from Burscough Athletic.

The Filtrona Park pitch was, to say the least, wet. Deemed playable by the match officials, the game kicked off in dramatic style with South Shields forcing RCA onto the back foot and their reward was a stunning fourth minute opening goal.

Wightman's shot was deflected for a corner which Coe took short to Smith who crossed into the box, the ball was headed away by McGuinness and fell to Graham 35 yards out from goal, he controlled the ball before sending in a thunderous right foot shot, which rocketed into the net past a bewildered RCA defence. 

It could have been worse three minutes later when a cross field ball from Feasey found Wightman in space but Bussey pulled off a great save from the low shot.

RCA's only response at this time was a surging run from McGuinness which ended with a long range effort flying over the bar.

Disaster struck in the 14th minute when Henderson found Coe with a superb 40 yard pass and the Shields winger didn't need a second chance, running onto the ball and volleying the ball into the net past a helpless Bussey.

Shields were well on top at this point and RCA were having to dig deep just to stay in the game and only some poor finishing from the home side and some desperate defending kept the score at 2-0. The passion and commitment which had been lacking on Saturday was slowly returning and as the half wore on RCA started to create chances.

Close found Fryatt wide on th eright and his low cross into the box was met by Monson who sidefooted the ball inches wide of the upright.

Burnicle was guilty of a glaring miss when Wightman set him up, but the Striker lashed the ball well wide when in a goalscoring position.

Shields were to rue this miss as the ball was sent down to the other end and Guerin-Lokonga looked to have escaped his marker before being tackled from behind. Cutts took the freekick which Winter was forced to punch away under pressure.

RCA got a life line a minute later as they started to get a hold of the game. Fryatt received the ball from McGuinness, beat a defender and sent in a tantilising cross over Winter and towards the back post where Renshaw, under pressure from both Preston and Monson, headed into his own goal.

Shields tried to respond to this setback and Bussey was the next keeper in action as he dived full leangth to save from Burnicle.

RCA were in the ascendancy and as the half closed they were the team that were doing most of the attacking and in the 44th minute a great move which saw Close win the ball in midfield before playing it to Cutts who slipped the ball wide to Kane, the winger in one movement beat the defender and crossed into the box straight into the path of Monson who made no mistake from eight yards out.

There was still time in this action packed first half for Renshaw to head narrowly over from a Coe corner.

RCA started the second half in positive mood and substitute Rivers, on for Fryatt, picked up a pass from Cutts before cutting inside and unleashing a beautiful curling shot which, although dipping, cleared the bar by inches.    

In the 64th minute RCA took the lead when Cutts played the ball to Monson. His crosss-cum shot rebounded off the far post into the path of Rivers who tried to steer the ball home but it was deflected across the goal line and Guerin-Lokonga was on hand to stab home from close range.

From the kick off Shields responded and it needed a good save from Bussey to deny Wightman.

Guerin-Lokonga was causing Shields defender all sorts of problems as he continued to harrass them on the ball and forcing them into mistakes. Both Rivers and Monson benefitted from his endeavours, but on both occassions Winter was equal to their efforts on goal.

RCA made sure of all three points when Guerin-Lokanga forced a corner on the right. Kane sent the kick into the heart of the six yard box and it fell to Guerin-Lokanga who got his foot to the ball ahead of two defenders and the ball flew into the net.

Shields were in disarray and RCA were rampant as the game progreesed. Kane had a good opportunity to extend RCA's lead, but fired straight at Winter.

At the other end Coe sent a header well over from a corner and Wightman, with probably Shields best chance of the half, fired wide when clear of the RCA defence.

The game ended in very boggy conditions and both teams very tired.

If anyone could have predicted this score after 25 minutes they would have received amazing odds off Bet-Butler.

However credit when it is due, RCA showed that they do have passion and they can play a bit as well. They need to take this performance forward to Team Northumbria on Saturday and see if we can record back to back wins.

   

New signing Nathan Monson, who scored the third in the 3 - 2 home win, is tackled from behind in the first half of the match.

26 December 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goal scorers: SRCA: Kane, Shaw, Monson. South Shields: Ramsey, Wightman.

Please click here for photos from the match.

Eleven goals in two competitive matches between these two clubs in the last eight days and two very entertaining end to end games which were a credit to the Northern League.

For RCA six, very welcome but hard fought, points. For South Shields there must be a belief that they can climb off the bottom of the table.

RCA included Gary Shaw (winger) and Lewis Graham (Goalkeeper) for their debuts after signing the pair  from Durham City.

Given the recent inclement weather the pitch looked in remarkably good condition.

RCA took advantage of the slope in the first half and were immediately on the attack with Monson forcing a throw in. The throw was taken, long, by McGuinness and Guerin-Lokonga flicked the ball into the path of Nick Kane, who scored with a flying header which gave Winter no chance.

Shields were in no mood to lie down and in Wightman they had a player who was willing to shoot on sight, in the 5 minute he picked up the ball on the edge off the box and fired in a shot which was blocked by Parker, the ball rebounded to Henderson who volleyed the ball goalward but this effort was thwarted by the lunge of McGuinness. 

Wightman looked to be waging a one man war against the RCA defence as he had a second attempt at goal saved by Graham, the ball fell to Peter Kane but he fired over. Then Wightman had another shot saved at the second attempt by Graham.

RCA weathered this mini storm and came back fighting, Close found Monson on the left and his cross was only inches away from Guerin-Lokonga's outstretched leg.

A long ball from Winter found Ramsey who laid the ball into the path of Feasey who sent in a rasping shot which was saved by Graham.

In the 15 minute RCA looked to open up Shields' defence when Cutts through ball found Nick Kane and the winger sliped past a defender before firing in a low drive which was well saved by Winter.

With the game flowing from end to end you coiuldn't take your eye off it for a second, Smith sent a greta ball in to Ramsey who chested the ball down into the path of Peter Kane who hit the ball first time and it took a brilliant save from Graham to deny an equaliser.

Two minutes later and RCA were 2-0 up when Buzzoe crossed to the far post where Shaw found space to head back across the face of goal and into the net. a simple but effective goal.

RCA looked to take advantage of the Shields defence as thy reeled from this setback and when Close found Monson inside the box it looked odds on for 3-0 when the striker check back onto his right foot and blazed in a low shot which Winter was able to push round the post for a corner.

Winter was by far the busier keeper at this point as RCA tried to push home their advantage, Cutts cut in from the right before unleashing a shot which Winetr was pleased to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball found Parker unmarked at the back post but he shot into the side netting.

A minute later and a long ball from Cutts was picked up by Shaw, he burst into the box. slipped the ball past Winter who made contact with the RCA player, however Shaw kept his feet but slid the ball wide of the upright. Had he gone down it would have been a definate penalty and Winter would have been lucky to stay on the pitch.

Shaw almost made amends a minute later when he drifted into space before thundering in a shot which went narrowly wide.

Riding their luck, back came Shields through Coe who clipped in a lovely ball to the far post where Peter Kane headed the ball back across goal to Feasey who fired the ball over the bar.

In the 40 minute in a replica of RCA's opening goal as Wightman sent a long throw into the box which was not well defended by RCA's defence and the ball fell to Ramsey who slotted the ball home past the despairing dive of Graham.

Shields started the second half emphatically, with the advantage of the slope they drove forward looking for the equaliser.

Coe sent in a cross which was met by Wightman but he slid his shot wide.

RCA were awarded a freekick 25 yards our which was taken by McGuinness and easily saved by Winter who turned defence inro attack with a quick kick out which caused problems when Peter Kane dispossessed Close before slipping the ball to Wightman who had his shot blocked by a great sliding tackle from Cutts.

Shileds equalised 2 minutes later when Winter once again launched a long ball into the heart of RCA's Defence, this time Wightman took advantage of the poor defending to blast home from 8 yards out.

RCA were now the team that were desperately defending and when Wightman curled in a terrific freekick it took a supurb save from Graham to keep the scores level. The resulting corner found Renshaw who headed downwards but Graham was in the right place to make a good save.

The pace of the game could not continue and it was no surprise when both teams seemed to run out of steam, RCA made substitutions on came Rivers, Shields seemed content to leave the team as it was.

Rivers first touch took him past two defenders and his cross was forced over for a corner. Guerin-Lokonga got a touch to the resulting corner as Winter punched the ball clear it fell to Monson who hit the ball first time into the ground, the ball bounced up, struck Pickering on the head and dropped into the net.

 RCA picked up the pace in the closing minutes of the game and when Close found Nick Kane inside the box it looked all over bar the shouting but the RCA winger shot wide of the far post with Both Monson and Guerin-Lokonga in good positions.

As the game petered out Monson tested Winter with a dipping 25 yarder which the Shields keeper was forced to tip over the bar.

30 points on the board and a lot of positives from today's match. Going forward we look a threat again, Arris and Monson seem to have developed an understanding and Shaw looks very good , Cutts and Close look comfortable in midfield and the defence is starting to look settled although they do look vulnerable to long balls over the top.