Sunderland RCA 0 Dunston UTS 1

Richie Logan under pressure from two Dunston players.

Saturday, 7 September 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for some photos from the match.

Please click here for Ken Fitzpatrick's photos from the match.

Please click here for the Dunston UTS match report.

Please click here for Sky Tyne and Wear video coverage.

Goal scorers: SRCA, none  Dunston UTS: Burrell.

RCA suffered their third consecutive home defeat at the hands of Dunston UTS when they succumbed to a goal deep into stoppage time.

The team are still missing a number of players through injury, Andrew Brown (groin), Kyle Morris (ankle), Wayne Henderson (groin) and Jack Lilley (knee) are just a few.

Liam Clough returned to the heart of the defence to partner Paul Wardle and Richard Logan was preferred up front to replace Winter. Goalkeeper Peter Jameson passed a fitness test on his shoulder and took his place between the posts.

After the heavy rain of yesterday the match kicked off in bright sunshine and for the second Saturday in a row the game was officiated by a female referee, Helen Conley taking charge in the middle in her first season in the Northern League Division 1.

Dunston started well forcing RCA onto the back foot. In the fifth minute Lee Bell headed over from a Gary Shaw corner.

Then the two ex-RCA players combined when Gary Shaw crossed into the box and Nicky Kane could only direct his header over the RCA crossbar.

In the early stages Gary Shaw was causing problems on the left and in the 12th minute he crossed toward the near post where Michael Dixon got to the ball just in front of Wardle. His glancing header was blocked by Jameson and cleared by Aaron Brown.

RCA started to get into the game, having weathered the early Dunston pressure and in the 16th minute a freekick taken by Aaron Brown saw Adam McGuinness rise perfectly at the back post, but his looping header landed on the roof of the net.

Two minutes later and a long throw from Adam McGuinness caused problems for the Dunston defence and Liam Connell could only punch the ball into the path of Edwards who stabbed the ball towards goal, but Gilhespy was on hand to clear off the line.

The game, although flowing from end-to-end, was producing little in the way of goal mouth action. A couple of poor headers over the bar from Dunston and a couple of long range shots from RCA, neither keeper being troubled.

In the 35th minute a brilliant crossfield ball from John Jury found Adam McGuinness in acres of space; the RCA captain picked out Josh Home-Jackson making a run into the box, but as his header slipped past the post the linesman had already flagged for offside.

In the 42nd minute Dale Burrell crossed and a Gary Shaw header hit the back of Aaron Brown and John Jury cleared.

RCA were almost one up in the 48th minute when John Jury sent an inch perfect pass to Richard Logan. His cross shot evaded Liam Connell and was just too far infront of the advancing Gavin Barton.

In the 50th minute RCA had a claim for a penalty as Keiran Edwards sent a cross into the box it was met by Stuart Thompson who looked to be fouled as he controlled the ball, but nothing was given.

Immediately Dunston went on the attack and another penalty appeal was waved away when Daniel Craggs went over under pressure from Clough.

A Gary Shaw cross was cleared away by Paul Wardle and Luke Gilhespy following up could only fire well over the bar and a minute later Michael Dixon turned and fire in a shot which went narrowly past the far post.

Dunston seemed to be getting up a head of steam as they poured forward in attack but RCA's resiliant defending was handling the pressure really well.

In the 72nd minute Luke Gilhespy shot into the area and Jameson did well to hold the ball under pressure and two minutes later Danniel Craggs tried to chip Jameson, but the ball drifted past far post.

As the game entered the final ten minutes both teams had great chances to win the game. In the 83rd minute, Stuart Thompson burst forward and with Gavin Barton and Keiran Edwards breaking with him he tried to pick out the former, but his pass was intercepted by Luke Gilhespy and the defender cleared the danger.

In the 86th minute Lee Bell shot well wide long range and then in the final minute of normal time RCA almost scored: John Jury, still full of running sprinted past two defenders before crossing to Gavin Barton who headed down for substitute Scott Richards but from ten yards out he fired over the bar.

Into time added on for a head injury to Adam McGuinness and Dunston continued to apply the pressure, especially substitute Lee McAndrew who had run and cross which went across the face of goal with two forwards inches away.

In the final minute of added time Dunston were awarded a corner which was taken by Lee McAndrew. Ben Cattanach headed goalwards and it was cleared by Aaron Brown, but into the path of Dale Burrell who slammed it home from three yards out.

A disappointing finale to a very well organised defensive display. I seem to remember doing the same thing to Dunston a couple of years ago in the League Cup.

It's disappointing once again to concede from a set piece, but positives have to be taken from this game we defended well, broke quickly and decisively and given a bit of luck could have scored a couple of goals. 

Next easy game away to Celtic Nation FC on Tuesday.