Dunston UTS FC 1 Sunderland RCA FC 1

RCA forward Callum Patton attacks during the final minutes of the match.

Saturday, 9 November 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  Dunston: Goddard  SRCA: Fryatt.

Please click here for photos from the match.

Please click here for match photos from Neil Smith.

RCA made the short trip up the A1 to play an in form Dunston UTS team who had taken 16 points in their last six games and are currently lying in sixth place in the league.

After fitness tests on Preston (groin) and Wilson (knee) the management team named an unchanged starting 11 for the first time this season. Dunston's squad included two ex-RCA players in Gary Shaw and Nicky Kane.

In the opening minute of the game RCA were unfortunate not to take the lead when a through ball from Andrew Brown found Barton in acres of space and with only the goalkeeper to beat he hit the ball goalward, but it struck Connell's leg and was cleared by Cattanach.

The heavy pitch was causing a few problems in the early stages as players tried to get to grips with staying on their feet never mind playing football.

After 10 minutes a great run by McAndrew saw the UTS winger leave the RCA defence in his wake as he cut inside before unleasing a thunderbolt of a shot which Carmichael was pleased to parry away for a corner.

Within a minute Ormeston played in Teasdale who had his shot blocked by Wray. The ball rebounded to Goddard, but Carmichael was once again in the right place to turn the ball round the post.

Dunston took the lead in the 16th minute when Kane picked the ball up on the right wing, squared it to Teasdale who chipped the ball forward into the RCA area where Goddard struck a sweet volley which looped over the outstretched hand of Carmichael and into the top corner of the net.

RCA almost got an equaliser straight from the kick off as the ball was fed to Fryatt who dribbled past three defenders before sliding the ball to Barton who hit a first time shot which was blocked by Burrell.

McAndrew with his pace and tricky dribbling was causing all sorts of problems down the left and when, in the 20th minute, he crossed into the box Goddard must have thought he would score as he fired in a terrific shot which Carmichael somehow managed to claw away from the bottom corner and round the post for a corner. The corner was taken by Craggs and his cross was met at the near post by Teasdale who directed his header wide of the post. 

RCA survived these scares and came back strongly. Wilson crossed in a freekick which was met by Barton, but his header went wide of the upright, then a lovely run by Patton, drifting past three challenges, ended when he passed the ball into the path of Brown who fired over from 20 yards out.

On the half hour RCA persistence paid off when after a good run by Baynes the ball was switched to the opposite wing where Fryatt won a corner. Wilson sent in a teasing cross which was headed up in the air by Burrell. In the scramble that followed the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Fryatt sidefooted the ball towards goal and although it took a deflection off Gary Shaw it was destined for the back of the net from the second it left his boot.

In the 38th minute McAndrew once again produced a moment of brilliance as he went clear of the RCA defence, but his cross was met by Preston who cleared the danger.

With minutes to go before half time a cross into the Dunston area looked to be heading for the safe hands of Connell. Barton had other ideas and challenged the keeper for the ball which spun into an empty net, unfortunately the goal was ruled out for a foul on the keeper.

The second half started as the first, with a ball into the box by Wilson being picked up by Barton who turned and shot but the ball was deflected away for a corner.

This had the effect of spurring Dunston on and they launched a succession of attacks at the RCA defence. A cross into the box by McAndrew was cleared by Wray and Craggs following up fired in a 30 yard drive which flew high and wide.

On the hour mark another McAndrew cross was headed away by Wray and fell to Ormston who hit a first time shot wide of the target.

RCA were looking to hit Dunston on the break and in the 62nd minute had the ball in the net following a quick break which saw the ball moved forward from Jury to Barton who controlled the ball before playing in Patton who slipped the ball under the body of Connell only to be ruled offside.

Three minutes later and Carmichael was forced into a brilliant save when Burrell connected with a far post corner powering in a header goalwards, Preston picked up the pieces clearing up field.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes Dunston were almost constantly on the attack with RCA forced to defend in numbers.

Goddard should have sealed the points in the 80th minute when, after a great move involving Kane and Steven Shaw, the Dunston striker found hinself free inside the area but he fire wide of the post.

In the 88th minute a shot from Craggs went just wide of the upright.

Then in a bizarre ending to the game, man of the match, Goddard was dismissed for contesting a throw in. Although he did slam the ball into the ground it was never in danger of hitting anyone and probably deserved no more than a Yellow unless he said something to the officials. 

RCA are starting to look like a strong unit from back to front. They have determination and resilience. All we neeed is for Patton and Barton to relax more in front of goal and watch the goals start to flow.

It is a testament to the team that we have gone from conceding 15 goals in four matches to conceding only seven in the last five matches and these against teams like Darlington (AET) Shildon (injury time) and today Dunston - all top teams.

The management team have got to take credit for putting together a competative team who look to be playing with a freedom to express themselves. 

Onward and upwards.