RCA winger Kyle Fryatt wins the ball in the second half of the match.

Saturday, 7 December 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Wilson.  Crook Town: Davis, Bird.

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA were forced to make one change to the team that drew with Durham City last week with Jack Stanger coming in for the suspended Andrew Brown.

After the heavy frost of Friday the pitch was looking in remarkably good condition.

Crook took advantage of the slope and wind in the first half, but it was RCA who dominated the opening exchanges. In the opening minute Wilson released Fryatt on the right and the tricky winger slipped past the full back before cutting the ball back towards Patton, he swung a boot at it and missed, but the ball fell to Baynes who managed to fire high over the bar from 12 yards out.

Two minutes later and Patton latched onto a Barton flick on and forced a great save from Poskitt who turned the ball away for a corner. Wilson's corner was headed down by Preston, but cleared to the edge of the box where Stanger was on hand to fire in a low drive which was deflected for another corner. From this corner Poskitt managed to punch the ball away only as far as Barton who headed the ball wide of the target.  

Fryatt was running the show on the right wing and and was getting the ball at every opportunity and giving Hetherington a torrid time. 

In the 15th minute Fryatt was fouled as he moved towards the penalty area. From the freekick Clough headed the ball on and Barton at the back post could only head wide.

20 minutes into the game and RCA were in total control of the match Carmichael was a virtual spectator as the defenders in front of him made light of an Crook attacks.

Poskitt again came to the rescue when another freekick, awarded for a foul on Fryatt, was launched into the box by Wilson, Barton stabbed the ball goalwards and it was cleared off the line by Pearson, in came Stanger to fire in a shot which hit a Crook defender before bouncing fortuitously into Poskitt's arms.

Crook's first attempt on goal came on the half hour when Davis picked up the ball from a Poskitt clearance cut inside before sliding the ball to Teasdale who forced a save from Carmichael.

This carved the way for a little purple patch for the visitors as the pushed forward and two minutes later it was Davis who found space on the right side of the area but blasted his shot wide of th efar post.

As the game moved toward half time Davis again won a header, this time from a Pearson clearance, he directed the ball into the path of Price who fired high over the bar.

RCA responded through Wilson who sent in a tantilising cross which was met by Barton but once again he could only direct his header wide.

In the final minute of the half Fryatt was once again fouled, this time on the half way line, Wilson's freekick found Stanger who slipped the ball to Patton inside the area, but his shot was saved by the feet of Poskitt.     

The second half saw Crook take the game by the scruff of the neck and forced RCA onto the backfoot. A through ball from Price fell to Hodgson and he ghosted into the box before unleashing a terrific shot which Carmichael did well to block and Horsman was on hand to clear off the line.

Crook took the lead in the 61st minute when Hughes picked the ball up on the half way line and sent in a perfect cross which was met by Davis who powered in a header which flew into the net with Carmichael stranded.

RCA's only response to this set back was a lovely run by Morris who drifted into the box past two defenders before guiding a low shot toward the far corner of the goal but Poskitt, at full stretch managed to get a hand to the ball.

As the game wore on the Crook midfield took control with Bird, Hodgson and Price at times overrunning Wilson and Stanger.

The game came to life in the final minutes, Crook extended their lead in the 88th minute when a cross into the box was headed away by Preston, the ball fell to Bird who drilled in a low shot which thundered into the bottom corner of the net.

A minute later and a lifeline was thrown to RCA when for the first time in the game they showed a bit of composure in the box, Morris won the ball on the left passed inside to Barton who passed the ball on to Wilson who side footed the ball goalwards, it took a deflection before going into the net.

RCA piled forward in a vain attempt to get something out of the game but the Crook defence held firm.

This was another game that should have been won in the opening 20 minutes but woeful finishing and a lack of composure inside the area meant no return in a game which we deserved to get something from.

The good things we were doing in the first half we stopped doing in the second half and we started relying on the long ball down the middle to Barton and while Barton had a decent game he was far too many times receiving the ball with his back to goal.

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goal Scorers: SRCA: Barton, Fryatt  Marske: Alexander, Earl, Wheatley.

RCA named an unchanged eleven for this EBAC Northern League away match against a Marske team who started the season with a 17 game unbeaten run follow by eight straight defeats but who seemed to have steadied the ship of late.

RCA had the ball in the net within two minutes of the start when a cross field ball from Baynes found Fryatt free, the diminutive winger cut inside, rounded the keeper and slotted home only to find that the assistant had raised his flag for an offside against Patton who didn't seem to be interfering with play.

Three minutes later and Marske took the lead, a quickly taken throw in by O'Sullivan found Stewart on the left and the ex-RCA Winger crossed low into the box where Alexander took full advantage of a mix up in the RCA defence to force the ball home at the second attempt.

RCA where back level within five minutes when a free kick was awarded for a foul on Fryatt. Wilson crossed high into the box and Barton, rising above Oliver in the Marske goal headed home.

Marske applied a little pressure in the next 10 minutes. A shot from Butterworth went well wide and then a promising move saw Macdonald slip the ball inside to Earl who played the ball forward toward Alexander who beat Carmichael to the ball and slid the ball goalwards but Horsman was on hand to clear the danger.

RCA almost took the lead in the 20th minute when a Oliver, looking a little casual, was caught in possession by Patton. With the goalkeeper out of position he laid the ball back to Barton, but his effort was blocked, at the expense of a corner, by Wheatley. The resulting corner was headed wide of the target by Preston.

Back came Marske with full back Gott sending a long ball forward to Earl whose shot was blocked by Carmichael and cleared upfield by Horsman.

A through ball from Stanger was intercepted by Tidy and sent forward to Earl who looked to lob Carmichael, but it flew well over the bar.

The game then became a bit scrappy as both teams started to find it hard to create openings for their forwards and the game got bogged down in midfield.

A Clough headed clearance flew all the way back to Oliver who mis-cued his clearance and it fell to Stanger who tried to find Fryatt, but his pass was blocked by Wheatley.

Another long throw by O'Sullivan almost caught RCA out in the 40th minute and although Preston read the danger his clearance only went back to O'Sullivan but he blazed his shot over the bar.

Two minutes later and RCA were awarded a penalty when Fryatt was uppended in the box. Barton stepped up to take and Oliver made a terrific save and Wheatley blocked the followup shot from Barton.

Immediately after the restart a through ball from Wilson was miskicked by Oliver and fell to Patton who was fouled by the keeper on the edge of the box. The referee awarded a freekick and gave Oliver a yellow card.  

Wilson took the resulting freekick firing the ball straight at the keeper who dropped the ball again but this time Fryatt was on hand to stab the ball home. RCA 2-1 up, should have been 3-1 up and game over.

Dean replaced Oliver in the Marske goal.

In the 55th minute Butterworth picking the ball up in his own half played a magnificent pass into the path of Alexander who fired in a shot which beat Carmichael but rebounded off the post to safety.

On the hour mark Patton picked up a pass from Baynes and dribbled past three defenders before firing in a low drive which Dean managed to get a foot to. The ball spun away to Fryatt who was following up and he drilled in a shot which was blocked by Wheatley.

Butterworth was staring to see more of the ball in the final 20 minutes of the game and was using it intelligently. A through ball to Macdonald split the RCA defence and Carmichael had to be at his best to turn the ball round the post.

It only delayed the equaliser for a matter of minutes as O'Sullivan swung in the corner and it was met by Earl who headed home from 10 yards out.

Both teams made substitutions in an effort to win the game, but until the final minutes neither keeper was really tested.

In the 91st minute and with the game drifting towards a draw RCA conceded a corner and once again O'Sullivan took it and swung the ball into the danger area. There followed a scramble in which Wheatley managed to get a head on to the ball and direct it into the net. A massive blow to RCA who had battled hard to try and get something out of this game.

Substitutions can make or break a game and the substition of Oliver for Dean by Ted Watts was a good decision as the ex-Spennymoor keeper made a couple of good saves and also kept on top of his defenders.

RCA conceded from two corners late in the game after taking off Barton who is augably our best defender at corners. There was probably a reason for the change and the fact that the player is unavailable for the weekend might have been a factor.

All in all RCA probably deserved something out of this game but we have said that in a number of games this season and we need to start picking up points to avoid a similar fate as last season. 

RCA's Kyle Fryatt and Phil Horsman combine to crowd out the Celtic Nation forward.

Saturday, 14 December 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: none  Celtic Nation: Murphy (2), Coleman

Please click here for photos from the match.

Sunderland RCA made a number of changes to the squad for the visit of title chasing Celtic Nation. Into the starting eleven came Ross Wilkinson, on loan from Shildon, Stephen Halliday, Aaron Brown and Andrew Brown. The team started the game in an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation.

The match was completely ruined as a spectacle by the blustery wind which was blowing straight down the pitch. It has to be said that the Celtic Nation players coped better with the weather conditions than our lads.

Celtic Nation took advantage of the slope and the wind in the first half and pressed forward early in the game, the first chance of the half fell to Atkin at the far post a cross in from the right by Coleman found the tall centre forward, but Carmichael was able to turn the header wide of the post.

The home team tried to respond but were finding it difficult to get the ball up to lone striker Patton and Celtic's defence where picking up the loose balls easiliy.

Ten minutes into the game and the lively Fryatt skipped past two tackles before cutting the ball back into the path of Aaron Brown, but he snatched at his effort and it flew harmlessly over the bar.

The wind was playing havoc with the game as Celtic Nation looked to take control, ball after ball was being caught on the wind and ending up going out of play and goalkicks were only just getting out of the 18 yards area.

On the quarter hour mark a cross in by Gibson was met by the head of Atkin who headed the ball back across goal toward Coleman, but Preston reacted quickly to clear the danger.

Celtic took the lead in the 24th minute when the impressive Murphy dribbled into the area before unleashing a shot which was blocked by Wilkinson, the ball fell to Coleman who chipped the ball back into the box where Murphy was on hand to head home from six tards out.

They increased there lead five minutes later when a poor clearance fell to Murphy who played a great ball in to Coleman. The ex-Penrith striker held off the challenge of Preston before turning and striking a low drive into the bottom corner of the net.

It was almost all one-way traffic as Celtic poured forward looking for the goal that would surely kill the game off. Luscombe was unlucky not to divert a hasty clearance into the top corner as the ball struck his boot and flew inches over the bar.

To their credit, RCA continued to try and play football with Andrew Brown and Stanger looking to create things in the centre of the park, but it was difficult in the conditions to string any meaningful passes together.

The second half saw RCA looking to mount a comeback with the assistance of the wind, but it was Celtic who had the first attempt on goal when a cross from Gibson was headed away for a corner by Wilkinson. The left wing corner was headed well wide by Johnson who was in a good position and unmarked.

RCA changed formation and introduced Wray in the heart of the defence pushing Wilkinson forward in an attempt to unsettle the Celtic defence and almost immediately it had an effect as the ball was played forward into Wilkinson he headed the ball back to Andrew Brown 35 yards out and he curled a wonderful shot inches wide of the upright with Taylor rooted to the spot.

Five minutes later and a through ball from Stanger found Patton on the edge of the box, the striker turned and shot but Taylor was equal to it and made a comfortable save.

RCA were, for the first time in the match looking likely to score and when Jury slipped the ball to Aaron Brown his cross into the box was sloced away for a corner. The corner was headed clear by Johnson but only as far as Andrew Brown who picked out Wray at the far post with an inch perfect pass but he could only steer the ball wide of the target.

Back came Celtic, having stopped RCA from scoring they were now looking to run down the clock with some good passing and movement, retaining possession for long periods.

As the game looked to be petering out up popped man of the match Murphy. He picked up a clearance on the edge of the box, controlled the ball with one touch and drilled in an unstoppable shot into the net giving Carmichael no chance.

As has been mentioned already the wind played a big part in today's match and it was obvious that the team pushing for promotion were looking to bag all three points and were the better side overall.

Having said that RCA proved once again that they are good enough to play at this level against good opposition and with the team spirit that has developed they will only get better. What we really need is a win to boost our confidence.

After the game a good night was had by all who attended the Race Night and a big thank you to the players and supporters who contributed to the proceedings.  

RCA's Aaron Brown battles for the ball in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 28 December 2013

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: none      Aycliffe:  Owens (2), Atkinson, Butterworth.

Please click here for photos from the match.

A dismal performance against a vastly improved Newton Aycliffe side ends a disappointing year at RCA. Just 11 wins and nine draws in 53 matches means yet another battle against relegation is looming.

2013 has certainly been unlucky for the small band of RCA followers who have braved the eliments in support of their team and I for one am hoping for a much better 2014.

Andrew Brown was unavailable due to tonsilitis and John Jury moved into the centre of midfield giving an opportunity to Aaron Brown at right back. This looked like a babtism of fire as he would be up against the vastly experienced ex-RCA winger Harrison Davies. In the centre of defence Wray was preferred to Wilkinson.

RCA started well but it was Aycliffe who had the first effort on goal when Owens slipped his marked before firing ina low shot which was blocked by Preston at the expense of a corner.

RCA were quickly back on the attack and a long range effort from Wilson was deflected for a corner, the naer post corner was partially cleared but fell to Patton who stabbed the ball toward goal however Raitt was on hand to clear off the line.

In the 10th minute Raitt again had to scramble the ball away when Baynes shot looked destined for the back of the net.

A long ball from Mitton found Davies on the left wing and he sent a 40 yard diagonal ball to Butterworth who fired in a low shot which Carmichael did well to save.

A minute later and Aycliffe took the lead, Wilson was dispossessed on the half was line and the ball was played forward to Owens who dribbled past two defenders and from an acute angle blasted the ball into the net off the chest of Carmichael.

Aycliffe almost doubled their score when Atkinson broke clear of the RCA defence but his cross shot went well wide of the far post.

RCA were reeling under the constant pressure being applied by Aycliffe and it looked to be only a matter of time before Aycliffe would score.

In the 32nd minute a freekick was awarded to Aycliffe on the angle of the area. The cross was charged down by the two man wall, but the referee awarded a penalty as the ball had struck the raised arm of Wilson. Up stepped Owen to send Carmichael the wrong way and double the visitors lead.

Worse was to follow five minutes later when a cross from Davies was picked up by Atkinson who blasted the ball home from 10 yards out.

RCA responded as the game headed toward half time. Patton went on a good run but his final shot was off target. Then in the final minute of the half Wray thundered a header against the bar with Spence well beaten.

The second half saw a much better display from RCA and in the opening minute they should have reduced the deficit when Patton played in Barton, but his shot was well blocked by Mitten. The loose ball fell to Wilson who drilled the ball low and it was saved by the legs of Spence.

RCA huffed and puffed in an attempt to get back into the game but all to often they were let down by the final ball which was invariably intercepted by Mitten who had an outstanding game at the heart of the Aycliffe defence.

On the hour mark Aycliffe made it 4-0. A corner was swung into the box where Butterworth rose unmarked to send a bullet header into the roof of the net. Simplicity itself.

The final 30 minutes produced little in the way of goalmouth action as Aycliffe killed the game off. Any threat from RCA was easily extinguished by the efforts of Mitten and Young with Raitt playing his part in midfield.

For RCA Jury was the only player who shone although the introduction of Stanger mid way through the half lifted the team and his passing opened up the Aycliffe defence on a couple of occassions but Spence was able to respond when called upon.

Too often today we gave the ball away our passing was poor, our positional play was non existent and when we resorted to playing a long ball game we made life easy for the Aycliffe defence.

Lets hope for a better 2014.