Tuesday, 1 October 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  Ashington: Johnson (2), Taylor, Walton.  SRCA: None 

Once again RCA have been hit by injuries, Horsman was admitted to hospital on Sunday and Callaghan has a groin injury. Henderson and Home-Jackson took their place in the starting line up. Further problems were to follow in the warm up with Shields pulling up with an ankle injury and being replaced by Fryatt. 

Not ideal preparation for a match against an Ashington team who had won their last four matches.

RCA started well, keeping the ball and denying the Colliers space. In the opening minute a cross into the area from Clough was headed away by Scott and Jury picked up the ball on the edge of the box before shooting narrowly wide. Then a mazy run by Thompson saw him go past three players before his cross was turned away for a corner.

In the seventh minute and against the run of play the Colliers took the lead. Norris outpaced Clough on the right before cutting the ball back into the path of Carson. His shot was blocked and in the scramble that followed Taylor reacted and rifled home from close range.

Two minutes later, Johnson made a great run down the left but could only shoot into the side netting.

RCA continued to have the majority of possession without finding the cutting edge in front of goal.

A corner from Edwards was headed goalward by Morris but McGlen got in a block to clear the ball. then a minute later Home-Jackson swung in a cross which which was met by Barton who fired inches wide under pressure from Scott, claims that he was held back were dismissed by the referee.

Morris then turned supplier when he fed the ball to Barton whose volley from the edge of the area flashed wide of the target.

The Colliers responded and on the half hour Carmichael was forced into action to make a save from Johnson. However he had no chance a minute later when Johnson picked up a ball from Walton before bursting forward unchallenged before chipping the ball over the advancing keeper into the net.

In the 40th minute another run down the right by Norris beat the RCA defensive line, he knocked the ball into the path of Johnson who curled a shot wide of the upright.

As the half came to a close Edwards almost reduced the arreas when he collected the ball 30 yards out and fired in a shot which was deflected wide with Dryden struggling.

The second half started with both teams guilty of missing early chances. Taylor broke past two defenders before firing wide then a lovely weighted pass from Brown was met by Home-Jackson, but he sliced his shot into the arms of Dryden.

Norris then had a shot blocked on the line by Brown. Brown was next in action at the other end of the pitch as he overlapped the run of Jury before cutting the ball back into the path of Thompson but he was guilty of mis-hitting his shot and the danger was cleared.

Those two RCA misses were to come back and haunt them as the Colliiers went straight on the attack Carson slipped the ball to Taylor then laid the ball off to Johnson who fired past Carmichael to make it 3-0.

RCA were visibly shocked by this goal and it got worse five minutes later when Jury was adjudged to have fouled Taylor, although the stud marks down the back of Jury's leg would indicate that he was the one who was fouled. Decision made Walton stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

The final 20 minutes of the game were only notable for two cautions to RCA, a curling freekick from Home-Jackson which was saved by Dryden and a double save by Carmichael from Taylor and Briggs.

RCA will play worse than this during the season and get results. We proved tonight that we can pass the ball and create chances.

Unfortunately the clinical finishing of Ashington's strikers and the pace of their wingers was too much for us on this occasion.

 

Saturday, 5 October 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

RCA were on their travels again, this time down the A19 to Billingham Town FC who are languishing at the bottom of the table with no points from nine games, although a narrow defeat by West Auckland in midweek will have lifted their confidence.

With all the comings and goings in the last few weeks the team was once again changed for this match and it is as well to just list the team rather than go through the changes: Carmichael, Aaron Brown, Harrison, Horsman, Summers, Edwards, Fryatt, Jury, Barton, Home-Jackson, Morris. Subs: Clough, Andrew Brown, Wilson, Henderson, Hassan.

A beautiful autumn day greeted the teams as they walked onto the pitch.

Although Billingham Town started well it was RCA who had the first effort on goal when Aaron Brown picked up a ball from Jury before crossing into the box. Although the ball was headed away by Taylor it only went as far as Fryatt who headed the ball back across goal and wide of the far post.

Town were continually putting pressure on the RCA defence with some quick forward play and it was only some good defending that kept them at bay.

RCA almost opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances. A freekick was whipped into the box by Edwards and the ball was met by Cossavella who headed, very firmly, towardss his own goal and was a very relieved man to see Willey pluck the ball from under the bar.

Town had the ball in the net after 10 minutes. RCA conceeded their third corner of the game and although they defended it well the ball fell to Williams who Drove the ball back into the box where Livingstone was on hand to put past Carmichael; unfortunately for town the assistant's flag was up for offside.

Town continued to go forward and in the 15th minute some desperate defending by RCA saw them win another corner. This time when the ball was swung into the box, Cossavella rose high to power in a header which was cleared off the line by Harrison.

It was backs to the wall for RCA who were rocking. A long ball into the area from Perry caused mayhem in the RCA defence as they tried in vain to clear. As the ball bounced across the six yard area to Ormerod he looked certain to score, when his initial shot was blocked by Summers, he produced a stunning overhead kick from the rebound which went inches wide of the upright. 

Having withstood an immense amount of pressure RCA eventually got going again and when a freekick from Harrison found Fryatt free at the far post the winger cut the ball back and although it was defended the ball fell to Jury who blazed his shot over the bar.

RCA took the lead after producing the best passing move of the game, involving no less than seven RCA players. The ball was thrown out by Carmichael to Fryatt, he played the ball back to Aaron Brown who brought in Jury, he slipped the ball to Home-Jackson who played a one-two with Edwards before playing the ball wide to Harrison who crossed into the area where it was turned away for a corner by Taylor. Harrison took the corner and Barton rose majestically to head home past Willey. 

Town fought back and in the 29th minute forced yet another corner which was headed away by Horsman. The ball fell to substitute Evans who fired in a shot which flashed over the bar.

A minute later and Evans was back in the thick of the action as he dispossessed Aaron Brown before surging forward into the area and shooting wide.

RCA lifted themselves again and once again produced a neat move with Fryatt switching the ball to Edwards who clipped the ball into the area. Gamble headed away to the edge of the box where the ball was met by Jury who rocketed a shot into the top corner of the net.

This had a feeling of Ashington in reverse.

Within a minute RCA should have been 3-0 up. A mix up in the Town defence gifted the ball to Barton. 10 yards out with only the keeper to beat the usually dependable striker curled his shot over the bar.

The reaction from Town was instantaneous, a long ball forward caused havoc in the RCA defence and the ball was not cleared properly, landing at the foot of Williams who volleyed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Town picked up the momentum as the game moved toward half time and it was substitute Evans who was causing the RCA defence problems. He skipped past two defenders before feeding the ball to Livingston who turned and shot wide of the target and in the final minute of the half the same combination produced another near miss by Livingstone, this time his curling shot went wide.

At the start of the second period RCA almost went further ahead with a Wimbledon style route one move. Carmichael sent the ball forward where it was headed down by Barton into the path of Fryatt who headed the ball on before getting in a shot which was brilliantly saved by Willey.

Back came Town with a move started by the influential Williams who made a great run down the left before crossing into the box where Livingstone was on hand to head towards goal, but Carmichael made a good save.

In their next attack Town equalised. A long ball out of defence looked to be going nowhere when Williams out muscled Aaron Brown before squaring the ball to Charlton who side footed home under no pressure.

On the hour mark RCA re-took the lead when a cross in from Aaron Brown looked to be easily saved by Willey, but, under no pressure, he inexplicably dropped the ball and Barton was on hand to slot the ball home from close range.

Aaron Brown was replaced by Andrew Brown and he was immediately in the thick of the action picking up a loose ball and threading the ball through to Home-Jackson whose shot was blocked by Cossavella.

At the other end another goalmouth scramble resulted in Burton firing in a shot which was easily saved by Carmichael. This was followed by a flowing move by the Town with Charlton playing the ball to Gamble who sent in a great cross to Massaquoi but he could only direct his header into the arms of Carmichael.

Town were starting to tire and RCA where looking to take advantage. The introduction of Hassan brought added pace to the attack and when he skipped past two defenders into space he squared the ball to Barton, but his shot was blocked.

A minute later and Hassan set off on another run, this time cutting back inside the area before playing a one two with Barton and then slotting the ball past the despairing dive of Willey.

The game drifted towards full time with little to interest the fans of both teams other than the booking of Barton for a challenge on the keeper, which if it had happened in the middle of the pitch between two centre midfield players would not have warranted even a freekick.

Town will feel that they should have done better with their early pressure and RCA will need to up their game against Whitley Bay on Tuesday night if they are to get anything out of the game.

Obviously RCA will be pleased with the result and the performances of a number of their players, the return of a fitter looking Andrew Brown is a big plus as is the return to match fitness of Kyle Morris abd Hassn looked lively when he came on. Defensively we still need to get tighter and a bit more disciplined.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Whitley Bay: Chow (3), Rivers, Smith:   SRCA: Hassan, Fryatt.

RCA were undone by a combination of poor defending and some good Whitley Bay defending.

Both teams made forced changes to their squads for the match. RCA have lost the services of Edwards who has decided once again that the grass is greener elsewhere. They gave debuts to three players, Daniel Wray, Nathan Wilson and Steven Baynes while notable absentees from the Whitley Bay team were Leon Ryan and Tom Kindley they also gave a debut to Robert Nolan. Both keepers lined up against their former clubs. 

The opening minutes of the game saw both teams passing the ball well without any real chances in front of goal. That all changed in the 10th minute when former RCA player Rivers made a mazy run towards goal where he was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Horsman. The  referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Chow took firing his shot low into the bottom corner.

RCA came forward looking for an equaliser and when Baynes picked the ball up inside the Whitley half he ran across field beating a number of defenders before being bundled to the ground, the appeals for a penalty were waved away.

The ball was cleared up field toward Carmichael who hesitated when coming for the ball and when he  miskicked the ball Rivers was on hand to dispossess him and shot into an empty net.

Within a minute a cross into the box by Harrison saw Ball lose control of the ball under pressure from Barton and the RCA striker turned and fired wide of the target. 

Whitley continued to press forward. Brooking had a weak shot easily saved by Carmichael and Nolan fired the ball over the bar when in a good position.

RCA, having withstood this pressure, gained some momentum of their own. A long throw from Harrison was returned to the full back by Morris and he curled a wicked cross into the area which was missed by everyone and went narrowly wide of the far post.

In the 38th minute RCA got a goal back when Jury won the ball on the right, crossed the ball into the box where Barton's volley was punched clear by Ball. Hassan, following up, got to the ball in front of Smith to stab  home.

Whitley were the first on the attack in the second half with Nolan bursting past the RCA defence but Carmichael was able to turn the ball for a corner.

RCA were not to be outdone and Fryatt made a good run down the left before shooting straight at Ball in the Bay keeper.

There then followed a manic period of football as Whitley went further into the lead when Smith, rose to meet an Anthony corner to head powerfully past Carmichael into the net.

RCA response was immediate. From the kick off the ball was switched by Wilson who sent the ball forward where Barton chased the ball into the area before squaring it into the path of Fryatt who slid the ball home.

The game swung from end to end. Chow had a shot blocked by Carmichael’s legs then Wilson had a great effort saved by Ball.

RCA looked to be in the ascendancy at this point and it was only some great goalkeeping by Ball that kept RCA from equalising, first saving from Harrison and then producing a tremendous save from Brown.

Midway through the half, Chow had two chances to extend the lead, firing just wide on the first occasion then bringing a block by Carmichael before the ball was cleared off the line by Jury.

As RCA pressed forward looking for the equaliser they were caught on the counter when Chow picked up a long ball from Robertson before firing the ball past Carmichael. Then, deep in stoppage time, the same combination were responsible for the fifth goal when Robertson sent in a cross which Chow took in his stride to guide into the net to complete his hat trick.

The result was in the balance right up until the last two minutes and on another night RCA might have expected to get a draw for their efforts.

Kyle Morris makes progress against the Bridlington defence as captain John Jury looks on.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

FA Vase 1st Round

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA made the long trip to Bridlington Town for this FA Vase First Round tie and once again there were significant changes made to the team, with Phil Horsman and Nathan Wilson cup-tied and leading goal scorer Gavin Barton suspended it meant a first run out of the season for Ross Preston and a debut for Callum Patton. Other changes saw Clough, Halliday and Hassan recalled to the team.

Please click here for the match report from the Bridlington Freepress. While a little biased towards the home team, it gives a good account of the match. Click here for video reaction to the match and here for the Bridlington Town match report.

Although this was not the result that RCA were looking for it highlighted the areas where we are vulnerable. It also highlighted out ability to control possession right up until the final third of the pitch where we seem to run out of ideas.

We have seen improvement in the team in the last few weeks. We just need to start turning that improvement into points.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA, Morris, Wray, Home-Jackson:  Team North: None.

After the disappointment of Saturday's exit from the FA Vase RCA were back in League action tonight against Team  Northumbria who they beat in the last round of the Vase.

The starting line up saw the return of Wilson and Horsman with Fryatt retaining the outside right berth after his impressive introduction on Saturday. Morris partnered Patton up front.

RCA's early possession almost paid dividends in the 2 minute when Jury played a perfect ball into the path of Fryatt, the winger cut inside before hitting a shot which struck the outside of the post.

Two minutes later and RCA were on the attack again this time it was a Wilson pass to Patton which split the Team North defence wide open and when Patton moved the ball across to Morris it looked certain the the striker would score but Hoyle threw himself across the line of the shot and the ball rebounded to safety.

Team North picked themselves up after this early pressure and when Jennison found Glen-Ravenhill from a hasty clearance the forward sent in a great cross toward Ingram and it took some great defending by Jury to clear the danger.

That was the last real pressure from Team North as RCA unleashed a succession of attacks down the right, Fryatt was in the thick of most attacks and in the 11 minute he cut inside before curling a shot inches wide of the far post.

Within minutes the ball was back in the Team North box this time the ball was crossed in by Wilson and as it bounced about in the penalty area Patton reacted with an overhead kick which went just the wrong side of the upright.

A lovely move by RCA saw Fryatt cross the ball in to Baynes who squared the ball to Patton who fired in a low shot which Jennison did really well to hold on to.

The quick thinking of Wilson almost broke the deadlock in the 38 minute taking a freekick to Baynes who crossed to Morris who slipped the ball across to the advancing Wilson but his shot was blocked by Lumsden.

Fryatt was once again causing mayhem down the right and was almost unplayable at times. A dribble and pull back resulted in him being fouled, from the freekick Wilson slipped the ball to Brown who, from an acute angle chipped the ball over both the goalkeeper and the bar.

Minutes later and with the half coming to a close Fryatt once again drifted past his marker got to the by-line before cutting the ball back for Morris who could only watch as his shot flew over the bar. The last action of the half saw Wilson send in another freekick which Patton headed over.

Team North, with the advantage of the slope, started the second half with a bit more purpose and when they were awarded a freekick on the right it was taken by McNamara who sent in a wickedly curling cross which Wray did well to head away.

RCA came back with a freekick of there own, this time Wilson clipped the ball toward the far post where Preston could only direct his header oner the bar.

The game was becoming scrappy and dis-jointed and the pitch was not helping as it started to cut up.

In the 53 minute, the breakthrough came for RCA and it was that man Fryatt who created the goal, cutting across the 18 yard box he went past two defenders before sending in a reverse pass to Morris who hit a low shot past the outstretched arm of Jennison and into the net.

RCA lifted their game and should have gone further ahead when a cross in by Wilson was met by Brown but he tried to glance his header in and missed the target.

Team North were trying to push forward but in doing so were leaving gaps in their defence and on the hour mark RCA extended their lead Fryatt won a corner which was taken by Wilson and headed powerefully home by Wray.

Fryatt almost set up Jury, as the two RCA players created havoc down the right, he slipped the ball to his captain inside the box unfortunately the final shot went wide of the post.  

 RCA were in almost total control as they restricted Team North to long balls forward which Wray and  Preston mopped up, when the ball did get past them the ever reliable Craig Shields was on hand.

Team North almost made it interesting in the last 5 minutes when a cross into the box from Ingram was met by Glen-Ravenhill but he could only fire over the bar from 10 yards out.

In the last minute, with Team North pushing forward a clearance from Jury found Patton on the right wing, unselfishly he crossed the ball into the middle of the park to the unmarked Home-Jackson who curled in an unstoppable shot which struck the inside of the post before settling in the net.

This was much better team performance than of late and by far the best defensive display this season.

RCA thoroughly deserved this victory, dominating from start to finish. There was not a poor performance by any player in a red shirt. We now no what it takes to win a game and if we maintain this level of performance in future games we will be ok. 

Saturday, 26 October 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: Bishops: Douglas SRCA: Barton, Baynes.

RCA visit Heritage Park twice in a week, on Saturday, to play Bishop's in the EBAC Northern League and next Wednesday, to play Darlington 1883 in the Durham Challenge Cup.

The injury bug appears to have returned with goalkeeper Jonathan Carmichael ruled out with a groin injury. Also missing was Daniel Wray who is abroad for the weekend. Taking their places for the match were Andrew Spence in goal and Liam Clough in central defence. The return of Gavin Barton to partner Callum Patton up front meant that Kyle Morris missed out.

A frenetic opening saw Bishops immediately on the front foot. A lovely through ball by Megran was partially cleared by Clough but the ball fell to Moncur who fired in a shot which Spence parried, Brunskill pounced on the loose ball but Spence flung himself in front of the shot to make a brilliant save on his debut. 

Almost immediately RCA went on the attack. Wilson found Fryatt on the right wing, he slipped the ball past the full back before pulling the ball into the path of Patton whose initial shot was blocked by Lawson, he then followed up but was unable to beat Pocklington.

Pocklington cleared the ball to Douglas who hit a first time cross into the path of Moncur who fired in a low shot which Spence saved diving to his left. The loose ball was picked up by Hodgson but his cross was easily plucked out of the air by Spence.

In the tenth minute a long crossfield ball by Hawkins picked out Douglas who squared the ball to Tarling who drove in a terrific low shot which Spence saved at the second attempt.

RCA, having withstood Bishops pressure, asserted some of their own. Patton and Baynes combined on the left to win a corner, Baynes took the kick which was headed away by Hawkins but as Horsman challenged for the high ball he was fouled and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up strode Barton to slam home the spot kick.

Four minutes later and RCA were 2-0 up when Wilson sent a long ball in to Patton who controlled it superbly before playing it into the path of Baynes who struck the ball perfectly from 22 yards out into the top corner of the net: a truely magical goal.      

RCA were looking to kill the game off but at this early stage it was always going to be difficult.

So it proved as Bishops opened their account with another astonishing goal. A pass from Megran was picked up by Douglas who from 16 yards out volleyed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

With their tails up Bishops once again looked to put pressure on the RCA defence. A corner from Hodgson was headed away by Preston and when the ball was fired back in by Tarling it was Preston again who headed the ball away for another corner, this time the corner was collected by Spencer at the second attempt.

The RCA keeper sent the ball forward where Barton headed it down into the path of Patton who lobbed the ball over the keeper but wide of the post.

Bishop responded with a driven shot by the lively Douglas but it went well wide. A minute later and freekick on the right was flicked on to Moncur who shot wide of the upright.

RCA were looking to hit Bishops on the counter attack and in the final two minute of the half could easily have been 4 -1 up. First, Patton latched onto a long clearance by Preston and produced a stinging shot which Pocklington saved superbly. Then a great run by Fryatt took him past the last defender before he curled the ball into the box where Patton could not connect properly and the ball was deflected away for a corner.

Bishops started the second half in attacking mood and kept it up for the full 45 minutes.   

In the 50th minute a cross from Hodgson found Brunskill in the centre of goal, his initial shot was blocked by Preston and the follow up by Douglas was headed away for a corner by Preston. 

RCA continued to defend defiantly and looked to get something on the counter. In the 70th minute Fryatt and Jury combined to produce a cross to Morris who shot was blocked by McLane and cleared by Lawson.

Bishops continued to bombard RCA's goal but the visitors continued to defend well with Preston outstanding. Shots rained in from Douglas, Megran and Tarling but all to no avail as RCA held on to take all three points.

A well earned three points at Heritage Park which will move us further up the table.

A great defensive display which allowed the midfield a bit more freedom to express themselves. It also helps when attackers are able to take the pressure off by keeping hold of the ball.  

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round.

Goalscorers: Darlington, Moore, Johnson,  Turner,  SRCA: Home-Jackson.

As always the Durham Challenge Cup gives teams a chance to try out different formations and give fringe players a chance to impress. Both teams made substantial changes from the teams that started in the respective games on Saturday.

Into the RCA team came Aaron Brown, Josh Home-Jackson, Daniel Wray and debutant Jack Stanger even with the changes this was still a good line up.

Darlington  also gave a chance to their youngsters but added the fire power of Stevie Johnson, Nathan Fisher and Paul Robinson to the team. 

Both teams started well with the emphasis on attack. The first real chance of the game came when Home-Jackson's shot was blocked by Jordan Robinson who sent the ball forward to Fisher who was allowed to run 30 yards with the ball unchallenged before unleashing a shot which Spence did well to turn away for a corner.

The corner was defender by Wray who headed the ball clear but only as far as Moore who crossed the ball back into the area where it was picked up by Fisher who turned and shot but it was blocked by Clough.

A throw in by Aaron Brown fornd Barton who slipped his marker before setting up Patton, his shot seemed to be deflected by the hand of Mitchell and Jameson was able to make the save.

Darlington responded with a great ball from Robinson into the path of Thomas who ran at the RCA defence, twisting past two challenges, before seeing his effort blocked by Brown.

Darlington looked to be getting a grip of the gavme and it was robinson again in the thick of it as he received a ball from Moore before firing in a shot which Spence saved with his feet.

RCA were a little unlucky when a freekick from Clough cleared the Darlington defence and fell to Home-Jackson inside the area however his strike at goal was blocked away for a corner by Galbraith.

Minutes later and the tide seemed to be changing as Morris found Patton with a clever crossfield pass, the RCA striker controlled the ball but shot wide of the target.

These two efforts seemed to lift the pace of the game as Darlington reacted to the pressure RCA were exerting on them, a quick break by Thomas saw the RCA defence split and when he crossed into the box, it took a great bit of defending by Wray to clear the ball for a corner.

A minute later and Pilatos dispossessed Morris before setting off on a run which saw him beat 3 players before sliding th eball to Davis who ,moved the ball on to Thomas who went on a mazy run which saw him beat 3 defenders  before falling over, picking himself up and still getting in a shot which flew over the bar. 

Then came the clearest chance so far when after a bit of scrappy play by both teams saw the ball sent forward by Robinson into the path of Johnson, the Darlington Striker rounded the keeper but fired into the side netting.

RCA might have taken the lead in the 40th minute when a goal kick by Spence was picked up by Morris who played the ball back to Horsman he sent the ball forward into the opponents area where Barton was on hand to beat the advancing Jameson, unfortunately he could only steer the ball wide of the post.

However they did take the lead on the stroke of half time, a freekick taken by Clough found Home-Jackson inside the Darlington box, with time to control the ball and curl it round Jameson and into the net.

The second half saw Darlington fully committed to attack and RCA looking to break on the counter attack.

In the 50 minute another good run by Fisher saw him burst beyond the last defender only for his shooting to once again let him down.

Moore was starting to cause RCA problems down the right and in the 55th minute a great dribble and cross to the far post had to be headed away by Wray under pressure from Johnson.

As the pressure increased on the RCA defence it was left to Patton to try to hold the ball up front which he was doing to some effect.

In the 75th minute a great move by Darlington gave them a deserved equaliser Robinson picked the ball up on th ehalf way line and sent a 40 yard inch perfect cross to Moore who in turn played a quick 1-2 with Johnson which opened up the RCA defence and Thomas was able to side foot into the net.

Darlington were now going all out for the win and when Pilatos sent a great through ball forward for Johnson he looked certain to score but Spence managed to pull off a supurb save.

RCA, after a good move were awarded a freekick which was taken by Clough, the ball was headed down by Morris into the path of Patten who dragged the ball back before shooting wide of the far post.

With time running out RCA looked to be carrying some luck as a shot from Moore was saved by Spence th eball fell to Johnson 8 yards out but he somehow managed to hit the underside of the bar and the ball was cleared.

EXTRA TIME:

The first half of extra time was pretty much nondescript with few chances and little in the way of goal mouth action, a poor clearance by Spence fell to Johnson who chippe dthe ball back to th egrateful keeper and a shot from Jury cleared the Darlington bar and headed towards Sainsury's garage.

The second period had more to offer if you were a Darlington supporter, both teams were tiring noticably and it was going to take something special to win the game and so it was that in the 111th minute Moore took on the RCA defence, got a yard of space and sent in a telling cross which fell into the path of the sliding Johnson who found the net from close range.

3minutes later and it was all over when, Darlington were keeping possesion well inside the RCA half, when the ball looked to have been retreived by Jury, a tackle from Mitchell saw the ball spring to turner who fired in a low shot which although Spence got a hand to he could not prevent the ball from going into the net.

RCA did well for 90 minutes but were unable to cope with the fitness of their opponents in the final 30 minutes. Their was no disgrace in this defeat and we can move forward knowing that the squad is capable of competing against anyone on the day.