Sunderland RCA 2 Crook Town 2

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

A cold and wet night was no deterrent to a good turn out at Meadow Park, where attendance was helped by a strong Crook contingent. The weather was no deterrent to an action packed match either, with both teams keen to get a maximum points. In the end, the points were shared and this will be a cause of frustration to both teams.

Crook began the match kicking down the slope. The first significant action was on ten minutes when a Crook free kick on their right was floated into the box, but the header went over. On 12 minutes, Gary D Anderson got a long lecture from the referee. Crook wasted the opportunity by over hitting the free kick. Two minutes later an RCA corner caused problems for the Crook defence, but they eventually cleared the danger. On 15 minutes, RCA were living dangerously as they failed to clear from their box. The ball fell to a Crook forward, but from a difficult angle he hooked over the bar. More Crook pressure followed. RCA countered with a swift beak feeding Lee Owens on the RCA right. The header from his cross was unfortunately off-target.

RCA were cursing their luck on 20 minutes. A terrific through ball from Anth Laidler found winger Adam McGuiness in space on the left. His cross evaded everyone and was eventually cleared by Crook for an RCA corner on the right. A good delivery saw captain Paul Moss head against the post.

On 25 minutes it looked like RCA had a real opportunity when the referee awarded a free kick on the Crook D, but he reversed his decision after consulting his assistant. This did not dampen RCA's ambitions. Two minutes later they had a clear break on the right, with the shot on goal being defected for a corner. The delivery was cleared despite Paul Moss getting a touch. Two minutes later Adam McGuiness has a strong run down the left, but his cross was eventually cleared.

On 34 minutes it looked as though Crook must score as the ball broke to them on the edge of the six yard box, but it was somehow cleared. Two minutes later Crook had another clear opportunity, but the shot was pushed around the post by keeper Craig Shields, who then punched clear from from the corner. At half time it was hard to believe that it was 0 - 0.

Manager Neil Hixon made one change for the second half, with Jon Butler coming on for Gary Shields. Everyone will be pleased to see Butts back after his injury lay off. It was RCA's other forward who broke the deadlock. New boy Craig Lines ran on to an excellent through ball which split the Crook defence and slotted clinically under the advancing Crook keeper to make it 1 - 0 to the RCA.

Crook continued to threaten and RCA got a clear warning on 60 minutes when a strong Crook shot from outside the area went just past the post. On 65 minutes a slip by Paul Moss caused danger and the quick running of Ashley Davis meant the ball was cleared just in time.

On 70 minutes RCA thought they had got a crucial second goal. A slick move ended with Lee Owens putting the ball into the Crook net, but the linesman's flag had been raised for off-side. This turned out to be a sickner, because a minute later a Crook corner ended in an equaliser from a glancing header across the RCA goal. On 75 minutes it was too easy for Crook to cross and RCA were relieved when the shot went wide.

On 76 minutes RCA had a free kick on the Crook D. It was well struck by substitute Matthew Raine, but was deflected for a corner.

On 83 minutes Crook took the lead as poor defensive work meant that the ball broke for them to shoot past Craig Shields to make it 2 - 1.

On 87 minutes RCA were awarded a free kick on their right. Si Andrews came on for Ashley Davis to add height and power to the massed ranks of RCA players waiting to receive the ball just inside the Crook penalty area. The cross broke well for RCA and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty for pulling. Lee Owens scored strongly from the post kick. What a relief!