New signing Jamie Clarke is tracked by Durham City and ex-RCA defender James Oates in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 2 February 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for photos from the match.

A 10.00am inspection of the pitch was positive and the efforts of John Anderson, Dave Hill and Graham Defty were rewarded with our first match since the away defeat to Newton Aycliffe FC on 12 January 2013. Although the playing surface was very soft in places and liable to cut up.

The return of Ross Preston meant that the back four had a familiar ring to it, however the same cannot be said of the midfield as Kane was swithched inside and Monson and Rivers took on the roles of wide men.

RCA also gave a debut to Jamie Clarke partnering Guerin-Lokonga up front.

Durham City included in their squad Ex RCA player James Oates while RCA boasted at least 3 ex Durham City players in theirs. 

Although the state of the pitch was obviously going to play a part in the quality of football, the players started the match trying to play good football.

RCA created the first chance of the game when a cross from Monson was punched clear by Young, the ball fell to Close and the RCA Skipper curled the ball past Young but agonisingly wide of the far post.

As the game literally got bogged down in midfield it was clear that this was going to be a hard Battle.

A rare glimpse of magic from Rivers, on Work Experience from Middlesbrough, saw him collect a ball from Guerin-Lokonga, before bursting into the box, unfortunately he decided to shoot into the side netting when a better option might have been to square the ball to Clarke waiting in acres of space six yards out.

Minutes later and a long clearance from Madden found Fenwick, he played a quick 1-2 with Ward before unleashing a terrific shot which forced Graham into an outstanding save, turning the ball round the post for a corner.

Durham took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, a well aimed pass from Hotchkiss found Stoker who made a good run up the wing before crossing into the box where Parker was on hand to volley the ball into the roof of his own net.

RCA almost replied immediately when Monson flicked a pass into the path of Guerin-Lokonga who then fired wide of the far post with only the keeper to beat.

As the game became scrappy there were little mistakes creeping in and when Buzzeo picked up the ball from a misplaced pass, his cross into the box evaded Young and seemed destined for the head of Clarke but somehow Madden was able to get a little touch on the ball and Galloway cleared.

As the game approached half time Durham almost made it 2-0, Stoker crossed into the ox again, this time Ward got to the ball first but hit the post, the ball rebounded to Allen who looked certain to score from 3 yards out but an amazing block tackle from Buzzeo forced the ball away for a corner.

The second period started in much the same vein as the first with both teams serving up some decent football in deteriorating conditions.

Fenwick and Ward were playing well up front for Durham and in the 50 minute the two of them combined to force a great save from Graham and Ward really should have put the game beyond RCA reach when he latched onto a mistake by Parker, raced beyond the RCA defence but fired well over the bar.

RCA came back into the game and when Guerin-Lokonga forced a corner they were rewarded for their endeavour with an equaliser. From the corner kick the ball fell to Kane who shot, Young pulled of a tremendous one handed save and the ball rebounded 10 yards out, unfortunately for the City Keeper it fell to Preston who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

Both sides when in search of the winner and as legs tired it was looking more and more likely that a mistake could win the game.

Clarke came closest for RCA when a cross from Guerin-Lokonga fell to the veteran striker but, at full stretch, he could only clip the ball wide of the post.

The final flurry of the game saw Durham pushing forward but the closest that they came was a number of Headers from corners which flew harmlessly over the bar and a poor freekick from the edge of the box.

Given the conditions this was an entertaining game played in the right spirit, between two teams who look destined to be playing in the first division next term.

Durham’s shaky start to the season and RCA’s little mid-season blip seem to have evaporated and both teams look decent enough to stay up. 

5 February 2013

Durham Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Goalscores:  SRCA  Clarke:   Bishops:  Johnson 2  Jardine

The long awaited Durham Challenge Cup match eventually took place after 4 postponements and on a very heavy pitch both teams produced some decent football in the first half.

However, RCA decided not to turn up for the second half and were totally over run by a rampant Bishop outfit. The second half was a defensive nightmare, from tha moment that Kane was replaced by Monson RCA struggled to get to grips with Bishops as they stormed forward at will.

What a transformation from the first half when RCA were in command for 40 minutes and were deservedly in the lead 1-0 and it could have been 3-0.

 Bishops took advantage of the slope in the first half but it was RCA who created the first opening when Kane found Guerin-Lokonga his slick pass set up clarke inside the six yard area but the usually deadly strikers shot was easily saved by Jeffries.

Guerin-Lokonga was causing a lot of problem in the Bishop defence and was unlucky not to set up Clarke as he shrugged of a challenge from Riatt but his pull back was cleared by Megran.

However two minutes later and Guerin-Lokonga was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded, Clarke slotted the spot kick home to make it 1-0.

Bishops tried to rally and the ever dangerous Johnson came close with a great effort which went narrowly wide of the target.

RCA thought they had scored a second when a clipped freekick from Sullivan fell to Guerin-Lokonga inside the box, the RCA striker slipped the ball over the sprawling body of Jeffries and into the net but was adjudged to have been off-side.

This seemed to spur bishops on and they bombarded the RCA goal for the rest of the half, a cross from Megran found Harwood but his header was chested down by G Shields on the line and cleared.

Within a minute the same player cleared the ball off the line from a similar header by Riatt.

The second period was dominated by Bishops, Harwood found Johnson 20 yards out and the Bishop frontman crossed toward the far post where Jardine was on hand to slot home from close range.

Within a few minutes it was 2-1 to Bishops as a good run from Harwood went unchallenged and the winger floated a cross into the box, Johnson rose highest and deftly headed the ball wide of the despairing dive of C Shields.

RCA tried in vain to respond but were lacking any cutting edge in the final third and it was no surprise that Bishops went further ahead this time Johnson converting a penalty after Harwood had been upended in the box.

As the game pettered out it was clear that Bishops wanted the game more than RCA and the scoreline could have been a lot worse.

Bishops will now meet Norton and Stockton next week with the winner away to Gateshead in the Semi-final.    

 

 

RCA forward Aristote Guerin-Lokonga contests the ball in the first half of the match.

9 February 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA went to Newcastle Benfield and for the second time this season they were facing a Benfield team with a new manager, Steve Bowey and Gareth McAlindeon taking charge of their first game.

RCA gave league debuts to Thomas Marron and Patrick McClean, younger brother of James McClean the Sunderland AFC winger.

It was to be an inauspicious debut for McClean as he limped out of the game after 15 minutes with a dead-leg sustained in the 10 minute. Marron on the other hand gave a man of the match display.

If possession won you games then RCA would have won this game handsomely, unfortunately being unable to convert possession into goals has been our downfall all season and when things are not going well we revert to the Wimbledon "lump it and see" method of attack which most defences in this league can cope with easily.

RCA started brightly and took the game to Benfield without really creating any chances and Leighton and Brown seemed in no mood to let down their new manager who was also leading by example in the centre of the park.

In the 10 minute a heavy challenge by Williams left McClean on the floor, McGuinness took the free kick and Clarke's header fell to Guerin-Lokonga but his shot was blocked and fell easily into the arms of Grainger. Within five minutes young McClean's debut was over as he slumped to the floor unable to continue.

In the 17 minutes a right wing corner from Bowey was headed behind for another corner by Buzzeo as Norris looked odds on to score.

A run by Kane saw him feed the ball to Monson but he was caught in possession and the ball was sent forward to Bowey who played in Ormeston but Marron was able to get across to put the ball out of play for a corner. Bowey took the corner and the inswinger caught RCA out, Leighton headed againt the bar and in the ensueing goal line scramble, Young got a foot to the ball to stab it home.

The game became literally bogged down in a midfield battle, as the ground started to cut up the play became scappy with little in the way of enterprise by either team.    

RCA created the next real chance when Guerin-Lokonga won the ball 30 yards out and fed the ball to Clarke who controlled the ball before lashing it unceremoniously high and wide from 10 yards out.

This sparked a mini revival in play as Benfield struck back, Norris outpaced Buzzeo, and as Preston came across to cover the wing fired in a cross to the far post where Young was left unmarked 6 yards out but the striker managed to haed over with the goal at his mercy.

As the game moved into injury time Benfield were awarded a dubious penalty as Clarke seemed to win the ball before being kicked by Ormeston who fell to the ground. Nevertheless a penalty was awarded and up stepped Young to take the penalty, Graham saved the kick with his outstretched foot and the ball was cleared by Marron.

4 minutes into injury time Guerin-Lokonga had the Benfield defence at six and sevens as he cut inside the box but, with both Clarke and Monson in great scoring positions, he decided to go for goal and his shot was mre like a back pass to Grainger.

The second half belonged to RCA possession wise but once again their lack of quality in front of goal was evident for all to see.

In the 50 minute a long ball from McGuinness found Guerin-Lokonga but he didn't test the keeper from 15 yards firing the ball wide of the upright.

Benfield were reduced to defending deep and trying to break quickly through Norris but he all to often ran the ball out of play and the counter attacks came to nothing. When they did get the ball into the centre Marron and Preston were more than a match for their attack. 

RCA looked dis-jointed with no width and 4 players congested in a tight and very boggy midfield.

In the 61 minute Kane slipped past a defender before unleashing an effort from 25 yards which Grainger saved easily.

5 minutes later Benfield created their first effort of the second half when the ball was cleared from Leighton to Brown, he was allowed to get in a shot from 25 yards out which struck the inside of the post and rebounded, luckily for RCA, to Buzzeo who cleared up field.

Some poor decisions from the officials did nothing to help a scrappy affair, as the whistle seemed to be constantly blowing for little or no reason leaving player from both sides bemused to say the least.

RCA huffed and puffed their way through the remainder of the game and although they had plenty of chances none caused the Benfield defence much cause for concern as shots from Cutts, Home-Jackson and Kane were all off target.

Late in the game substitue Graham had a great chance for Benfield but sent his effort over the bar.

RCA might feel that they deserved something out of this game but to be honest they have to learn to play as a team and not a bunch of individuals.

It is beyond my comprehension that players can not play in a disciplined way for the team, this might mean playing in an unfamiliar role and out of position but at the end of the day it is the results that matters not individual displays.

Goal scorer Jamie Clarke holds the ball up at the end of the match with captain Brian Close available for support.

16 February 2013

Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Guerin-Lokonga, Clarke and Cutts

Please click here for photos from the match.

Despite going a goal behind early on RCA eventually won quite comfortably on a beautiful day in Norton. RCA dominated the game from start to finish and could, and probably should, have won by a goal or two more. The only real disappointment on the day was the price of the beer in the Norton clubhouse, £3.29 for a pint of Carling!

The other major concern was the fact that RCA could name only two subs, due to injury and absence for various reasons. Now that the weather appears to have cleared up and we can expect to be playing at least twice a week from now to the end of the season, it seems as if further reinforcements are bound to be needed.

The first of those reinforcements, Jordan Dixon, just signed from Durham, made a very pleasing debut, showing good pace and skill out wide, and might have marked his first appearance with a goal, before having to be satisfied with an assist. At the other end of the age and experience scale Scott Richards was man of the match for your correspondent, being the pick of an excellent midfield three, with Elliott Cutts and skipper Brian Close also performing very well. The back four looked solid, with Ross Preston and recent signing Tom Marron developing a good understanding after some early alarms, and Buzzeo and McGuinness were very solid at full back, apart from one eccentric throw in from "Buzzer" which caused his team mates some concern. Up front Jamie Clarke and Aris Guerin-Lokonga were lively all afternoon. RCA's second goal, with Aris beating his man out wide and sending in an excellent cross for Clarke to score with a spectacular overhead kick was probably the pick of the goals on the day for the spectators, although their first, finished from close range by Aris after a lovely passing move, was one for the football purists. Craig Shields in goal was competent on the few occasions he was called into action, but mostly enjoyed the sunshine.

The game started with RCA well in control, before an eighth minute attack saw Norton take the lead with what looked a very easy goal, cutting through the defence with a couple of passes, before a simple finish.

When Norton repeated the move and nearly scored again some of us started to worry, but that was largely that for Norton in the first half, as RCA pressed forward continually, and exposed the keeper with several good moves. Richards, Close and Cutts had complete control in midfield.

The only problem was with forwards continually getting themselves caught offside needlessly, but even so it seemed like the pressure must tell. Clarke flashed a shot wide after a good turn, and Aris fired over, before the first RCA goal came in the 23rd minute after a beautiful move left Aris with a simple tap in.

Five minutes later he contrived to fall over his own feet when in an even better position, and as chances were missed it looked like being level at the break, before Jamie Clarke rolled back the years, and potentially put his back out, with a superb overhead shot right on the stroke of half time.

After the break RCA came on very strong and it was only a matter of time before it told.

Young Jordan Dixon broke through with only the keeper to beat and when forced wide did well to hold his nerve and play Elliott Cutts in to finish at the second attempt in the 55th minute.

That was it really, RCA eased off, Norton tried hard but never really looked like scoring, and the game petered out tamely enough. Good points, much needed, and a cheerful ride home!

19 February 2013

League Cup 3rd Round

Goalscorers: Durham : Hotchkiss, P Dixon:  SRCA: Guering-Lokonga, Clarke, J Dixon.

RCA made one change from the team that won so convincingly at the weekend, with Scott Richards missing through work committments and only expected to get to the game for the half time interval, Carl Beasley was drafted in to replace him.

A steady drizzle fell throughout the night but did not dampen the performances of both teams on the pitch. RCA started like a house on fire when in the opening minute a slide rule pass from Marron found Guerin-Lokonga in space on the right wing; his measured cross was met by Clarke who looked to steer it into the back of the net, but Young managed to get a hand to it and the ball went behind for a corner despite the lunge of Dixon ghosting in at the back post who was inches away from opening the scoring.

That was about as good as it got for RCA in the first half as Durham turned the screw with some good passing moves which RCA found difficult to cope with.

It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 10th minute when a great ball from ex-RCA star Oates found Allen. The winger took the ball on before cutting inside to deliver a ball into the box, in the scamble that followed Winter looked to be upended by Beasley and the referee awarded apenalty. Hotchkiss stepped up a fired into the net passed Graham.

RCA next forage upfield saw a header by Clarke go harmlessly over the bar. Durham replied with a shot from Hotchkiss which forced save from Graham and then Fenwick was guilty of shooting wide when Winter was in a great goalscoring possition.

Durham were stating to get on top at this point and it was only some excellent midfield / defensive work by Close which kept the scoreline down, his timely interception set up Cutts whose shot was well saved by Young and Monson following up was adjudged to be offside.

In the 27th minute Durham extended their lead with a typical flowing move which saw Allen once again released on the left wing, this time by Madden with a pinpoint pass which left the RCA defence scrambling and as the ball was crossed into the box Paul Dixon was on hand to slam the ball home from 12 yards out.

The young guns of Durham were in full flow now and a great run and shot by Fenwick could, and some would say should, have made it 3-0, but Graham got down well to turn the shot round the post for a corner and Madden headed the resulting corner well wide of the upright.

If RCA started the first half with a bang and finished with a wimper they came out all guns blazing in the second half, Clarke dispossed Ellison before passing to Dixon who crossed into the box where Guering-Lokonga was on hand to volley home from close range.

Two minutes later and RCA drew level. Shields, on for Beasley, found Clarke with a pass, he moved the ball on quickly into space and Dixon arriving at the far post slammed the ball home.

RCA had turned the game on its head inside five minutes of the restart and they  kept the momentum going, A shot from McGuinness was scramble clear.

Close and Cutts were bossing the midfield and their distribution was outstanding; the only Durham attack of the second half so far saw Paul Dixon fire wide after a good run.

RCA took the lead on the hour mark with a beautifully worked move, Guerin-Lokonga and Shields made progress down the right before slipping the ball inside to Dixon who laid the ball into the path of the evergreen Clarke who showed great composure before sliding the ball past the outstretched hand of Young.

The impetus of the match was well and truly with RCA  now and only a great save by Young from a McGuinness (Bale like) freekick kept the score down. The freekick being awarded as Cutts was brought down when bursting past the Durham defence.

Close was inspirational in midfield and it was a master-stroke by the manager to move Morran into the centre of defence to renew his partnership with Preston and to bring on Gary Shields in at right back.

The sight of Craig Shields warming up to come on as an outfield player must have sent shockwaves through the Durham City team and minutes after coming on he almost scored as he charged down a clearance from Young and the ball rebounded just wide of the upright.

Durham made a late rally as the searched for an equaliser, but shots from Ellison and Winter both went tamely wide as they appeared to run out of steam and it was RCA who were pressing as the final whistle blew.      

What a change in fortunes a below par first half by the lads followed by a vastly improved performance that was as good as they have played all season. In the end a thoroughtly deserved victory setting up a match against Spennymoor Town FC in the quarter final.

 

26 February 2012

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Celtic Nation: Archibald, Skinner,  SRCA: Kane.

The long trip to Celtic Nation produced no points for RCA but the team did show signs of improvement with a strong defensive performance.

It could be argued that the goals could have been prevented but all three goals in this match would have been worthy of winning any other Northern League fixture.

The only disappointment of the night apart from the result was the lack of a crowd, it must be so frustrating for the committee of Celtic Nation, who have spent a fortune on ground improvements etc., to be playing in front of less than 50.

In the early stages of the match Celtic Nation took the game to RCA who looked to be coping really well. However, in the 6 minute, with Marron recovering from a knock, the ball was knocked long into the path of Douglas who beat two defenders on the by-line then somehow managed to squeeze the ball through to Archibald who lashed the ball low into the bottom corner of the net.

RCA recovered from this quite well and started to produce some good football up to the final third when they were thwarted by a resilient Celtic Nation defence.

Celtic nation were awarded a freekick 25 yards out and Skinner fired inches wide with Shields confident that it was going there.

A long range effort from Close had the Celtic Nation keeper scrambling to make the save before Douglas went on another great run but was denied the shot as Preston made a last ditch tackle.

Douglas was causing a lot of problems playing in a free role and able to attack at will, in the 38 minute he had a shot saved by shields and the follow up shot by Reed struck the post before being cleared up field.

Back came Celtic nation two minutes later and a dribble and cross from Reed found Douglas but he shot well wide.

Having withstood this mini revival by Celtic Nation, RCA came back and a great move between Guerin-Lokanga, Cutts and Clarke ended when Skinner intercepted the final pass.

In the 42 minute RCA were back on level terms when a sweeping move by RCA saw the ball switched to Close on the right wing and his cross was headed down by Guerin-Lokonga into the path of Kane who swept the ball into the top corner.

At the start of the second half it was Celtic Nation who looked to be in the ascendancy and RCA were forced to defend deep although they didn't look to unsettled by the Celtic Nation forwards.

They came closest in the in the 66 minute when a run and cross by Archibald was missed by three players but fell at the far post to Douglas who fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

The winning goual when it came was scored by player manager Skinner, picking the ball up on the half way line he was allowed to carry the ball forward 10 yards before unleashing a swerving, dipping shot into the top corner of the net.

Within minutes RCA almost equalised when Close clipped the ball forward and Kane latched onto the ball before firing goalwards, the ball struck the keeper on the shoulder as he charged off his line and the ball rebounded out of play.

Both teams huffed and puffed without really creating much in the way of chances in the final 10 minutes.

You always know when you have watched a decent game when you look at your watch and there is only a few minutes remaining when you thought there was 20 minutes left and this is how this game was.

Not breathtaking brilliant but very workmanlike and entertaining.