Sunderland RCA 3 Shildon 2

Durham County Challenge Cup

Tuesday, 26 September 2007

On the first really cold night of the autumn, Sunderland RCA were hot stuff - certainly too hot for ANL First Division outfit, Shildon. The 3 - 2 victory was well deserved and went a long way in restoring club pride after the defeat at neighbours Seaham Red Star.

In a frantic first ten minutes, RCA, kicking up the slope, got a free kick on the right, which was cleared for Shildon to break away and from a cross hit the side netting. On 10 minutes, following good work in midfield, veteran Si Andrews was put clear in the Shildon penalty area and scored to make it one - nil to the lads. The goal stung Shildon, who gained three corners in a row, the third one cleared twice by Gary D Anderson, who was playing an unfamiliar role in midfield. A minute later Niki Lawson ran out bravely to deflect the ball from an on-rushing Shildon forward. On 22 minutes Gary Anderson was back in action, clearing the ball off the RCA goal line.

On 33 minutes, Shildon equalised. From a corner the ball pinged around the RCA penalty area eventually falling to John Hutton on the 18 yard line, who made no mistake firing strongly through a crowd of players. Three minutes later Shildon had the ball in the net again, but the whistle had gone for off-side.

In the second half, Craig Shields took over in the RCA goal. Manager Neil Hixon was soon forced to make more changes. Luke Ball was booked for what looked like a fair 50:50 tackle and went off for treatment. The injury proved too severe for Luke to continue and John Butler, who has been recovering from an injury over the past few weeks, was thrown into the fray.

Shildon were showing determination to get themselves ahead. On 55 minutes, Craig Shields dived to push a shot around the post for a corner. On the 60th minute Shildon got their breakthrough. A long shot was deflected for a Shildon corner. The ball was cleared, but pushed back into the RCA penalty area where it broke to Karl Everitt on the 18 yard line. His well hit cross shot found the net to put Shildon ahead.

Seven minutes later RCA were back on level terms. Under-18 player and ANL debutant, Nathan Johnson, went through one-on-one with the Shildon keeper. There was an audible clash between them, but it did not stop Nathan heading the ball into the net to make it 2 - 2. Well done Nathan, with an attitude like that you will go far in the game - let's hope it's with us. Chairman Owen Haley, who devotes a lot of time to the Under-18s, was delighted and it is certainly an inspiration to the other young lads at RCA.

RCA went ahead on 75 minutes. Intelligent and quick thinking from captain Glen McCartney meant that an RCA free kick from 25 yards was taken early and with the Shildon keeper asleep the ball was in the back of the net. Terrific!

Shildon did not give up. The next minute they brought an excellent reaction save from keeper Craig Shields and RCA more than hung on for a deserved victory.

Well done to all the lads. We needed that. It's a funny old game!