Satueday, 09 August 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA:  Preston, Durham City: Hotchkiss, Hope (2)

Please click here and here for Mike Carter's - aka SR3Boy - Twitter photos.

Sunderland RCA started the new season with a visit to New Ferens Park to face a Durham City team who are reportedly looking to gain promotion to the Evostick League next year.

Both teams had added personnel during the close season so there was a new look to both sides as they took to the pich.

The game kicked off on a lovely if windy summers day, RCA took advantage of the wind in the first half and were immediately on the attack with Callen breaking down the left before sending in a great looking cross which was cut out by Wilkinson.

RCA opened the scoring in the 7 minute when Gary Wood played a ball out to the left where Callen fed the ball to Stanger whose pinpoint cross was met supurbly by Preston to head past Harkess.

Durham reacted immediately with Wallace sending a through ball into the path of Stoker who fired in a low shot which Carmichael saved at the second attempt.

The game was becoming a midfield battle and it wasn't until the 15 minute before either side had a worthwhile effort on goal, another cross field ball from Gary Wood found Callen who clipped the ball to Stanger the RCA number 10 picked out Lewis Wood at the far edge of the box and his shot was well saved by Harkess. The resultant Corner was header for another corner by Stoker before Morris glanced a header wide of the upright.

Durham lifted the pace of their game and it took a good save from Carmichael which denied Hope after some good work by Hotchkiss.

Two minutes later and it was Davis who fired wide from 25 yards.

RCA came back at Durham and were awarded a freekick 35 yards out, Browns cross was headed away by Wilkinson but fell to Lewis who struck a great shot which was brilliantly saved by Harkess.

RCA kept the pressure on with another two corners in quick succession which were well defended by Durhams resilient defenders.

In the 26 minute Lewis Wood once again found himself unmarked 25 yards out and unleashed a shot which went wide of the upright.

Having defended for a long spell Durham broke free and and were awarded a freekick when Hotchkiss was fouled, Stoker took the freekick but fired well over the bar.

The tide seemed to be turning in favour of Durham on the half hour mark a move involving Hotchkiss and Davis saw the ball picked up by Allen who cut inside before blasting in a shot which went narrowly wide.

Within a minute RCA were back on the attack and Stanger brought the save of the match from Harkess as he hit a terrific drive from 30 yards out which the keeper managed to get a finger tip to and the ball rebounded off the post to safety.

In the final flurry of the half Durham were awarded a corner, the ball was swung into the box where Carmichael elected to punch clear under pressure, unfortunately the ball fell to Hotchkiss, 20 yards out, He had time to pick out a spot just inside the post and fired in the equaliser for Durham.

The second half started with both teams looking to go forward and it was Durham who had the first real effort in the 50 minute when they forced a corner on the right, Wallace’s cross was met by Purewal but he could only send his header over the bar.

Wallace seemed to be getting a lot of the ball early in the second half for Durham and when Hotchkiss found him with a cross field ball the Durham winger controlled the ball before firing wide of the post.

From the goal kick Jury picked up the ball on the left and sent a perfectly flighted ball into the Durham penalty area where Morris brought it down superbly but as the ball bobbled his shot was blocked and then cleared by Wilkinson.

It’s funny how fortunes can change in seconds as the ball is switched to the other end it was easily defended by RCA, however a misplaced pass was seized on by Hotchkiss who chipped the ball over Carmichael, hitting the underside of the bar before rebounding to Hope who had the simplest of headers from 8 yards out into an empty net.

RCA picked up the tempo and took the game to Durham a quickly taken freekick by Stanger went narrowly wide and Durham defended well with Stoker, Wilkinson and Purewal all called upon to make timely interception.

In the 65 minute the quick thinking of Stanger almost created an equaliser for RCA when he received a short corner from Callen before crossing into the box where Lewis Wood rose to meet the ball but his well-placed header was saved by Harkess.

Durham increased their lead in the 74 minute via another defensive slip when Carmichael gave the ball to Horsman, he misjudged his infield ball to Gary Wood and the ball was intercepted, fed to Hope inside the area and his deft chip cleared Carmichael and nestled in the back of the net.

The final 15 minutes saw RCA create a number of half chances and the introduction of Hughes instilled some pace to the attack but on the day Durham’s defence managed to cope with everything that RCA could throw at them.

It could have finished even worse for RCA if Jury hadn’t been on hand to head a Hope effort off the line in the final few minutes.

All in all this was a decent opening game, we will need to learn quickly that mistakes at this level will be punished, having said that there were many plusses to be taken from the game, we played some good football, defended well for the majority of the game and created a fair few chances.

Next up West Allotment Celtic FC who gained a 3-0 win against Penrith FC on their return to the first division.

Captain Gary Wood in first half midfield action.

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA:  K Morris (2),    WAC: Hudson (2), Dormand.

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA were the hosts to newly promoted West Allotment Celtic who had made an immediate impact on their return to the first division with a resounding 3-0 victory against Penrith on Saturday. Unsurprisingly they named an unchanged starting 11 for tonight's match.

Due to work commitments both Stanger and Brown were missing for tonight's match and their places were taken by McNab and Hughes. Jury reverting to a more familiar right back slot, McNab was installed at left back, Hughes partnered Morris up front with the two Gary and Lewis Wood starting in the centre of midfield

This game had a dramatic start, a competitive edge throughout, football to a decent standard and a sting in the tail at the end. All in all a good footballing night for the neutral. However a frustrating night for the home fans. While the away fans went away ecstatic with another 3 points making it 6 points from two away games.

RCA were left in wonderment as to how they lost this after dominating the second half.

West Allotment kicked off at 7.30 the ball was played to full back Cairns who launched a long ball toward the RCA penalty area, the ball was headed clear and fell to Dormand 35 yards out, he hit a first time shot that rocketed into the top corner of the net at 7.30 and 13 seconds RCA were 1-0 down.

RCA tried to pick themselves up from this early set back but were finding it difficult to get into their passing game as West were pressing hard and picking up any loose balls.

It almost went from bad to worse in the fourth minute when a through ball from Anderson was picked up by Hudson on the edge of the RCA penalty area, he elected to chip the keeper but the ball cleared the bar by some margin.

The game swung from end to end with RCA trying to move forward with controlled passing and West counter attacking to great effect.

In the ninth minute RCA levelled the scoring when Morris won possession on the edge of the penalty area, swung the ball out to Callen who beat two defenders on the left before crossing to the far post where Coe rose to head back across the goal and Morris was on hand to chest the ball home from close range.

Having fought back to level terms RCA then proceeded to allow West back into the game when Hudson pounced onto a long ball by Dummett, rode two tackles before slotting past Carmichael into the bottom corner of the net.

RCA responded again with some good passing moves but the final ball into the box was lacking.

In the 20th minute Coe won a corner on the right which was taken by Gary Wood, Reid headed the ball away only as far as Hughes on the edge of the box but his shot went narrowly wide.

The free flowing football that RCA were producing was good to watch but ineffective in the final third, whereas the direct approach of West Allotment made them a huge threat every time they attacked.

As the half progressed it looked more and more likely that RCA would get an equaliser as Callen, Hughes and Wood all had shots either saved or blocked.

A great move between Gary Wood and Jury on the right wing set up Hughes but his shot was saved by Beal.

A minute later and Morris once again intercepted a pass before setting up Lewis Wood but he shot a foot wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

West were now restricted to the odd counter attack as RCA swept forward in the final minutes of the half.

RCA with the advantage of the slope in the second half swept forward from the off pressing West deep into their own half.

Callen was seeing a lot of the ball on the left wing and was getting some joy attacking the fullback, in the 50 minute he picked up the ball on the lrft played a one two with McNab before passing the ball to Lewis Wood who again fired wide.

RCA equalised in the 58 minute when the two Woods combined in midfield to disposses West Allotment, Gary Wood then played the ball out to Callen who played in McNab who sent in a terrific cross which was met on the half volley by Morris and flew into the top of the net past a static Beal.

It was all RCA now as they pushed forward in an attempt to snatch a winner, West to their credit stuck to the defensive guns and held on repelling attack after attack.

In the 65th minute a cross from Callen was met at the far post by Jury who hit a first time volley well over the bar.

Two minutes later and RCA were awarded a corner which was met at the for post by Preston but the ball fell awkwardly and he could not get a shot on target.

Then Lewis Wood had a shot blocked on the edge of the 6 yard box and the ball fell to Guthrie who couldn't control the ball and it was cleared.

In the 77 minute RCA lost possession near wests corner flag, the ball was cleared up field to Dunn whose cross cum shot strck the post and rebounded in between two RCA defenders into the path of Hudson whoo made no mistake from eight yards out.

RCA continued with their passing game which created a number of other chances, Callen won a corner on the left and then from the resulting corner saw his header go narropwly wide.

West were defending in numbers now with eleven men behind the ball at all times, RCA's patient buildup was giving them time to reorganise in defence and they didn't seem to have much ambition to go forward.

As the game entered the final few minutes RCA threw everyone, including the keeper, forward for freekicks and corners, but for all their efforts it was always West's defence who were able to clear the ball up field.     

RCA can feel unlucky not to have gotten something from this game, we had by far the greater amount of possession, more shots on goal and better chances than West. What we didn't do better than West was defend at the key moments of the game.

Next up Bishop Auckland FC in the FA Cup on Friday, 7.45pm Kick off.

Note: if it goes to a replay the match will be at Meadow Park on Tuesday, 19th August 2014; Kick off 7.45pm.

RCA winger Tony Coe prepares another raid down the right in the second half of the match.

Friday, 15 August 2014

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Goalscorers: SRCA: Callen:  Bishop Auckland: Butler.

Please click here for the usual RCA match photos.

Please click here for a multimedia take on the match from RCA fan @SR3Boy Mike Carter.

Please click here for Peter Jackson's match photos.

It is a quirk of fate that we seem to draw Bishops in some cup competition or other during a season so it was no surprise to see the FA Cup draw pair us together. Matches in cup competitions have always been hard fought encounters and tonight's match would be no exception.

The RCA team saw the return to defence of Wray in place of Horsman, Stanger returned to the centre of midfield replacing Hughes. Andrew Brown also returned to the bench after injury.

Bishops were in great spirits, having won their opening two encounters in the league at Celtic Nation and West Auckland.

RCA started the game but were soon under pressure. Lawson picked up a loose ball and sent it forward to Brunskill who was stopped in his tracks by Wray, only for RCA to give the ball away again; this time it was Nicholson who won the ball and his pass picked out Butler on the edge of the RCA penalty area, he moved forward unchecked before blasting the ball into the roof of the net past the helpless Carmichael. Bishops 1-0 up inside two minutes.

Bishops looked like they were going to completely overrun RCA as they pushed forward and it took some excellent defending to keep them at bay, even so they should have gone 2-0 up on five minutes when Brunskill looked certain to score but managed to shoot well over the bar when in a good position.

It was one way traffic at the moment and RCA were finding it difficult to get into their passing game, in the ninth minute a poor clearance fell to Tarling who side stepped a challenge before unleashing a low drive which skimmed past the post after taking a deflection off a RCA defender. Thompson curled the corner to the far post where Lavery was unmarked fortunately for RCA he headed wide of the post.

The first real effort on goal by RCA came in the 20th minute when Gary Wood hooked the ball forward and Morris controlled the ball and, seeing Pocklington off his line, tried to lob the keeper, but the ball was easily saved and Pocklington was able to set up another Bishops attack down the right.

A quick counter attack by RCA produced their best move of the game so far. Preston won the ball on the edge of the box and slid it to Gary Wood, he in turn passed to Callen who was cutting in from the right, he clipped the ball through the Bishops' defence for Lewis Wood who burst into the box to fire in a shot, unfortunately the linesman's flag was up for offside.

Bishops were in no mood to settle back and pushed forward once more. A good run by Thompson saw his effort saved by Carmichael. a minute later Bishops were awarded a freekick which was swung into the box by Megran and headed wide by Butler.

There were signs that RCA were getting back into the game as they started to get more possession and Bishops looked to run out of ideas on how to break down the RCA defence. Gary Wood once again produced an inch perfect pass to Coe on the right and his cross into the box was met by Lewis Wood who could only direct his header straight at Pocklington.

The long ball tactics of Bishops almost paid off when Lane latched onto a freekick by Megran but his shot was well saved by Carmichael.

When Lawson found Butler with a long ball, it looked to be a carbon copy of his opening goal but this time Manab produced a great tackle to stop the forward in his tracks.

The cutting edge that Bishops had shown earlier in the game was missing when Nicholson made a great run down the right before sending in a perfect cross which was missed by both of Bishops' forward players and went halmlessly wide for a goal kick.

In the 40th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the right. Coe took the kick and it was headed away by Lawson into the path of Lewis Wood who looped hi shot onto the roof of the net.

RCA were making inroads into the Bishops' defence for the first time in the game. Jury, surging forward picked up a pass from Gary Wood, played the ball to Coe who slipped the ball back to Jury on the overlap but a great covering tackle from Lavery stopped the attack.

RCA levelled the scores in the 44th minute when, after a spell of possession, the ball was switched to the right wing where Coe controlled the ball before delivering a perfect cross into the area and Callen raced in to head home past a bewildered Pocklington.  

What was said at half time by the two managers only the players will know but the transformation in both teams was enormous. RCA, undoubtedly bouyed by their equaliser late in the first half, were a revelation in the second whereas Bishops who had controlled most of the first half were a shadow of that team in the second.

RCA went straight on the attack, Callen who had been switched to a more central role picked up the ball 30 yards out and ran at the Bishops' defence before side footing the ball to Coe whose shot was blocked by Riding.

RCA were working hard in midfield to win back the ball and It was the combination of stanger and Gary Wood which set up their next attack Stanger sending the ball out to Lewis Wood who found Morris inside the penalty area but he fired wide of the target.

At the other end a rare attack by Bishops saw a Lavery freekick crossed into the box and headed down by Butler, Carmichael made the save and was fouled as the ball was cleared for a second time.

RCA piled forward again. This time a through ball from Preston was flicked on by Callen to Morris who again fired low but into the side netting. A minute later and Coe burst down the right before sending in a great cross to the far post to Morris who could only direct his shot inches wide of the upright.

It was all RCA in the second half in a complete reversal of the first half. Coe was the instigator of the next attack as he found time and space to cross into the box, but it was headed over the bar for corner by Lawson. Coe took the corner and again Lawson headed behind for yet another corner. This time Coe picked out Wray who headed straight at Pocklington.

In the 75th minute Gary Wood sent a through ball into the path of Coe, but Pocklington raced out of his goal to control the ball before clearing up field, the ball fell to Gary Wood 35 yards out and he tried to send the ball into the net but Pocklington was able to get back in time to make an easy save.

Thompson set up Bishops' next attack as he moved forward on the right, his cross was headed clear by Wray, the ball falling to Megran who fired the ball back into the box where Carmaichael made a great save under pressure from Butler.

In a final throw of the dice RCA sent on Hughes to add pace to the attack and he almost scored with his first touch of the ball showing a clean pair of heels to Lawson, but his shot was saved by Pocklington.

In the 85th minute, Hughes burst into Bishops box and looked to be fouled in the process of crossing, but neither the referee or the assistant saw anything wrong.

RCA's final chance of the game fell to Lewis Wood who showed some good control as he evaded a number of tackles to create an opening for himself before unleashing a low drive which was well saved at the foot of the post by Pocklington.

Bishops almost stole the game in the final minute of added time when substitute Sakr got free of the defence but sent his shot horribly wide of the target.

The replay will take place on Tuesday, 19 August 2014. Kick off 7.45pm.

RCA were well worth the draw in this encounter and maybe with a bit of good fortune could have won it.

If you forget about the first half an hour RCA showed that they can pass the ball effectively and keep control of the game. In previous games they have played well without getting the result that their efforts deserved. Tonight they got their just desserts for an excellent all round display for the last hour.

To quote an old phrase used in football "the job is only half done", on Tuesday we need to finish the job off.

Andrew Brown makes progress in the second half of the match.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay

Goalscorers: SRCA: None Bishop Auckland: Davis, Sakr

Please click here for photos from the match.

Please click here for Peter Jackson's photos.

After Friday's excellent performance in the second half at Heritage Park it was back to Meadow Park for this FA Cup Replay.

Unfortunately due to work commitments both Coe and Lewis Wood were unavailable for the replay and Hughes was injured playing on Sunday. Their places were taken by Brown and Horsman with Halliday returning after suspension and taking his place on the bench. The team was reshuffled to accommodate the changes in personnel.

Bishops took advantage of the slope in the first half and went on the attack from the off Megran forcing a save from charmichael in the second minute.

Two minutes later and an unfortunate slip by Horsman allowed Thompson room on the right and the winger cut inside to shoot, but Wray was able to deflect the ball for a corner.

RCA responded with a good move which saw Stanger lay the ball into the path of Callen but he fired over the bar.

Bishops pressed forward again and in the ninth minute took the lead. When RCA didn't clear an attack the ball broke to Davis who fired home from 20 yards out.

The game then became a midfield battle with the referee blowing his whistle for every tackle or nudge and both teams became very frustrated. There was little of the free flowing football that was seen on Friday, maybe it was the occasion, maybe the referee, or maybe the tension on the pitch whichever it was the game became very scrappy.

It wasn't until the half hour mark that either side produced anything like a chance and it was a great reverse pass from Stanger which fell to Morris inside the penalty area the RCA striker took the ball forward before curling in his shot but Pocklington saved brilliantly to deny the equaliser.

Almost immediately at the other end a slip by Wray saw him chest the ball into the path of Butler whose shot was blocked by Preston before McNab cleared up field.

Bishops had picked up the pace again towards the end of the half and efforts by Butler and Davis were wide of the mark.

In the final minute of the half Bishops produced a great move when Lavery picked the ball up inside his own half played a one-two with Davis before sliding the ball to Tarling who drilled in a terrific shot which Wray blocked before scrambling clear. In doing so the RCA defender injured himself and didn't appear for the second half.

As on Friday, RCA came out of the dressing room on fire, kicking with the slope they settled into their passing game quickly and it was only some good defending which stopped Morris and then Callen from getting in shots.

In the 50th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box when Callen was fouled by Elliott Woods. The kick was taken by Stanger whose curling shot hit the upright and went behind for a goal kick .

Bishops moved on to the attack with Thompson crossing into the box where Butler got in a great header forcing a point blank reaction save from  Carmichael and a minute later a cross into the box was headed wide by Davis.

RCA responded by sending bodies forward and a long ball forward from Horsman was chested down by Morris into the path of Callen who slotted the ball wide to Jury who, racing in from the right, fired into the side netting.

Two minutes later and Wood slipped the ball to Stanger who found Callen on the edge of the box but he was quickly closed down and could only produce a weak shot which Pocklington saved easily.

As in the first half there was a period when the referee kept stopping the game and it degenerated into scrappy mayhem. Neither side seemed capable of stringing two passes together and if they did there was a niggly foul to stop play.

In the 75th minute a lovely piece of skill from Morris saw him control a through ball from McNab, dribble past three defenders before curling a shot past Pocklington unfortunately it also cleared the far post.

RCA piled forward in search of the equaliser committing more players forward which left gaps at the back.

In the 85th minute Jury pick up the ball on the edge of the box before turning and producing another good save from Pocklington.

In the 88th minute, with RCA overcommitted, Bishops broke through Sakr, and although his initial shot was stopped he followed up to convert and send the away team supporters into raptures.

The disappointment was obvious for all to see, but it was more frustration than anything else, the small margins that seperate teams at this level are compounded when officials make simple mistakes and on Friday the non-penalty decision has come back to haunt us.

These decisions always seem to happen when we play Bishops in the cup at Heritage Park.   

Saturday, 23 August 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: None.   Dunston: Ormston, Fenwick, Kane.

RCA dropped to the bottom of the league after today's result and remain the only team in either divison of the EBAC Northern League not to have pickup any points so far this season.

After the disappointment of the FA Cup Replay defeat to Bishop Auckland FC in midweek today's result was a bitter blow to the team who had fought so courageously in the two cup matches.

With first choice central defenders Wray and Preston unavailable through injury and holidays respectively it was a makeshift defence that started the game against Dunston UTS. Brown and Horsman were selected in those positions and both did really well with Brown giving a man of the match performance despite the result.

RCA had the advantage of the slope in the first half, but rarely threatened the well organised defence of Dunston in the opening minutes.

In the 11th minute Dunston took the lead when a good run and shot from ex-RCA winger Kane rebounded off the post into the path of Ormston who had the easy task of side footing home from eight yards out.

Dunston continued to press forward and a good passing move between Dixon and Fenwick saw the ball laid off to Wilson who fired well oevr the bar.

Callen gave a little hope to the RCA follows with a good run down the right which resulted in a corner. Coe took the kick and Brown rising at the far post coulf only steer his header wide of the upright.

Back came Dunston and it took a great tackle by Brown to stop Fenwick from getting in a shot inside the penalty area.

Dunston increased their lead when they were awarded a freekick 35 yards out on the right. The kick was swung into the box where Fenwick, unmarked on the edge of the six yard box was able to head home.

Dunston were in complete control of the game and RCA were reduced to sending long balls forward for either Coe or Callen, but Coulson and his fellow defenders were well able to repel any attacks.

In the 41st minute Dunston, unsurprisingly, increased their lead when a mix up near the corner flag allowed Ormeston to pinch the ball and square it into an empty box for Kane to side foot home from close range.

RCA started the second half a little brighter and Halliday, on for the injured Gary Wood, sent a quick freekick into the area for Lewis Wood who slid the abll into the path of McNab, but the youngster fired his shot wide.

RCA continued to press forward and had a number of half chances notably a shot from Callen which shaved the cross bar and an effort from Lewis Wood which unluckily went the wrong side of the post with the keeper beaten.

The best chance of the half fell to Callen, as he raced onto a through ball from Stanger, but his shot was blocked by Dan Halliday with the keeper again beaten.

As the game subsided, RCA looked unable to breakdown the Dunston rearguard and on the break, Dunston always looked threatening.

In the final 10 minutes the visitors brought on Bulford and the striker almost got on the score sheet with his first touch of the ball firing in a low drive which went narrowly wide. In the final minutes of the game Fenwick forced Carmichael to make an instincive point blank save.

RCA once again gifted goals to the opposition and although they looked threatening going forward it is always from the position of being a goal or two down.

Next up bogey team Morpeth on Bank Holiday Monday.

Monday, 25 August 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA. None, Morpeth: Chilton (2), Taylor.

Whoever decided that a Bank Holiday derby match should be between RCA and Morpeth Town really need to get hold of a map or a SATNAV, there are certainly nearer first division teams who could be classed as a derby. 

Also, I keep hearing people talk about player commitment, but on Monday,  Lewis Woods travelled from Guisborough to Ryhope before boarding the team bus to Morpeth, played 90 minutes got back to Ryhope about 3.00pm before setting off for work in Brighton 340miles away. On Friday he will travel back after work in order to play on Saturday. This is true commitment to the club in my opinion.

RCA, once again with only one central defender to choose from, changed the back four to Coe, Jury, Horsman and McNab. Back into the fold after suspension was striker Gavin Barton with Chris Thompson starting on the right wing.

RCA started well forcing Morpeth onto the back foot.

The first real attack saw Coe send a great through ball into the path of Morris, inside the area, but Buchanan was on hand to clear the danger.

Then Callen picked up a loose ball and ran at the Morpeth defence skipping past two challenges before firing wide.

Morpeth's response was a long ball out of defence by Henderson which found Jewels, he squared the ball to Chilton, but his shot was blocked by Jury.

RCA continued to press forward and when Wood found Callen with an inch perfect pass inside the penalty area it looked odds on that RCA would go 1-0 up, but Callen slid the ball under the body of the advancing Dryden and inches wide of the post.

A minute later and Coe and Stanger combined to set up Morris, but the strike fired wide.

Morpeth were starting to get a grip of the game as RCA looked to run out of ideas. An RCA freekick was cleared by Jewels to Hiftle who sent a 40 yard pass across field to Chilton who managed to control the ball and fire his shot on target but Carmichael made and effortless save.

This was to be the pattern for the rest of the game. Morpeth defend, break quickly on both wings and pressure RCA.

Morpeth started to get their forward play moving and in the 20th minute a curling shot by Fry went narrowly wide with Carmichael scrambling to cover.

Almost immediately Chilton picked up a loose pass and ran at the heart of the RCA defence before being fouled on the edge of the area. Taylor fired the shot straight at Carmichael.

Morpeth took the lead in the 28th minute with a carbon copy of a goal scored last season. An RCA attack broke down, Henderson was given the ball in space and sent a long ball forward, Taylor controlled the ball before slipping it past Carmichael into the corner of the net.

This had the effect of lifting the RCA team who piled forward looking for an equaliser, in the space of three minutes Morris, Woods and Guthrie allhad  shots blocked by defenders.

In the 40th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the penalty area. Morris struck a superb dipping shot which Dryden did well to tip over the bar.

In the final flurry of the halfa through ball by Stanger found Morris who fed the ball back into the path of McNab, but the full back curled his shot wide of the far post.

The second half was almost a complete reversal of the first with Morpeth attacking RCA defending. As early as the 47th minute Henderson was given forty yards to run at the RCA defence before crossing into the box for Chilton who headed over the bar from close range.

In the 55th minute RCA had a great chance to equalise when Jury sent a great ball forward to Thompson who slipped the bal inside to Morris, he found space for the cross into the path of Barton who from 12 yards out should have scored, but scuffed his shot and Dryden was able to make n easy save.

Almost from the goalkick Morpeth once again worked the ball to the right wing where Henderson was completely unmarked and this time his cross was met by Chilton, who made no mistake this time powering a header into the net.

On the hour mark it got even worse for RCA when Henderson again cut inside gave the ball to Taylor who dribbled into the box before being upended and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Chilton stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.

Morpeth were now rampant and it took some good defensive work from Horsman and Jury, who both made crucial blocks to prevent further shots on goal.

RCA did have chances late in the game. Morris set up Barton in the 80th minute, but his shot was smothered by Dryden and a minute later Barton controlled a long defensive clearance before sliding the ball to Guthrie, but he fired wide of the target from a good position.

Morpeth is never a good place to go if you are an RCA supporter: 15 goals conceded in the last three matches there and only one scored.

Whilst we didn't play badly, we conceded goals easily and most of the damage was done by two wide players who we decided didn't pose a threat. It can and will get better so long as we can regain our composure in front of goal and stop giving poor goals away. 

RCA's Gavin Barton rises above Guisborough centre half and ex-RCA man Leon Carling in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 30 August 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: L Wood Guisborough: Mulligan

Please click here for some photos from the match.

RCA gave a debut to new signing Craig Price who partnered Ex-Guisborough town Captain Gary Wood in the centre of midfield.

With Wray passing a late fitness test he resumed his partnership in the centre of defence with Ross Preston who was back after holiday.

The Team: Carmichael, Jury, McNab, Wray, Preston, Coe, Price, G Wood, Barton, K Morris, L Wood: Subs:   Horsman, Thompson, Stanger, Brown, C Morris.

Guisborough took advantage of both the wind and the slope in the first half but it was rCA who mounted the first real attack when Lewis Wood weaved his way past three defenders before slipping the ball to Kyle Morris who was through on goal but Liversedge made a great stop and the danger was cleared.

As in so many RCA games the visitors took the lead almost immediately when a long ball up field looked to be heading for a goal kick, Hume had other ideas putting pressure on Preston who cleared the ball but only as far as Mulligan who from 25yards out sent a screamer of a shot into the roof of the net.

Mulligan had another effort two minutes later when he picked up a loose pass and againt shot from distance but this time his effort went wide.

The danger signs for RCA were evident again in the 13 minute as Hume chipped the ball over the advancing Carmichael before the ball was cleared by Preston fell to wray who cleared only as far as Gell who sent in a lovely cross to Hume but he headed over the bar.

RCa moved back on the attack and Coe forced a corner which was taken by Gary Wood, the kick was met by Preston but he could only direct his header srtraight at Liversedge.

Hume was causing a lot of problems for the RCA defence and it was he that had the next attempt on goal firing into the side netting from 10 yards out.

In the 25 minute RCA had teh ball in teh net but Barton was adjudged to be off side.

Guisborough maintaied the pressure on the rCA defence and it took some great defending by Jury to block another Hume effort before McPhillips fired over.

There was a long delay while Carmichael received attention for a stomach / dizzyness problem.

He was immediately under pressure when a quick throw in was played to Gell who struck a cross which hit the top of the crossbar.  

The pressure continued with Liddle heading a corner Goalward but it was deflected wide, from the corner Barton headed away but Liddle picked up the loose ball side stepped a tackle before drilling in shot which flew over the bar.

In the dying minute of the half Morris was again put through on goal but his attempted lob went staright the Guisborough Keeper.  

RCA were forced to make a substitution at half time with goalkeeper Carmichael unwell and unable to continue it fell to Carl Morris to make his debut between the sticks.

The home team once again started brightly with Coe forcing an early save from Liversedge.

Guisborough's Martin was finding a space down the right and it took a great interception by Jury to deny Hume at the far post.

A long clearance from Carl Morris found Kyle Morris on the edge of the box, the RCA striker, seeing Liversedge off his line chipped the ball over him but unfortunately it landed on the roof of the net.

with in 4 minutes the two produced a carbon copy and this time Kyle Morris's chip was destined to the goal but McPhillips somhow managed to get back and clear off the line.

RCA, like Guisborough in the first half were piling the pressure on kicking down the slope.  

On the hour mark Guisborough were awarded a freekick which was taken by Gell towards the far post were Mulligan headed down for Risbrough but McNab reacted quickly to block the shot.

The ball was quickly passed forward towards Barton who chested the ball into the path of Gary Wood who fired in a snap shot which Liversedge did well to save.

RCA equalised in the 67 minute when Coe forced a corner on the right, Gary Wood took the kick sending it to the far post where Lewis Wood was unmarked and the ex-Guisborough player headed back across goal and into the net.

The competitive nature of the game began to cause some physical challenges to be made and rge referee did well to control it albeit by stopping the flow of the game.

In the 75 minute Guisborough’s Hume found himself free at the abck post but headed over the bar then two minutes later a corner from Price was sent to the back post again where Lewis Wood was again unmarked unfortunately for RCA this time his well aimed header was cleared off the line by Liddle.

The final 10 minutes saw a number of substitution made and the game slowed as both teams cancelled each other out.

In the final minute of added on time A throw out from Carl Morris found McNab on the left, He surged forward 40 yards before sending in a cross which got caught on the wind and struck the underside of the bar before rebounding to safety.

RCA’s first point of the season and it could so easily have been the first win of the season.

Yet another decent display by the team but we still lack a bit of quality in our finishing.

There were a lot of positives, Lewis Wood has proved he can play anywhere, Carl Morris did well in the second half, Danny Wray got through 90 minutes unscathed and most importantly we battled hard to get the point.