RCA's Lewis Wood in dynamic midfield action in the second half of the match.

Saturday, 04 October 2014

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Goalscorers: SRCA: Brown, Crook: None.

Please click here for match photos.

The two bottom clubs in the EBAC Northern League Division 1 met today in the 2nd Preliminary round of the FA Vase.

Both teams are currently going through a re-construction process having recently appointed new managers.

At SRCA the management team of Martin Swales and Gee Errington took charge of their first home game and with matches coming thick and fast it was an opportunity to assess players. There were always going to be changes to the team as Barton was suspended and Gary Wood was unavailable due to work commitments. The injury list seems to be getting better with Callen and Coe declared fit and Carmichael almost there. Callen started the game up front partnering Hughes, Jury was switched to the centre of midfield with Bythway moving to right back and Wilson brought in to left back.

The Visitors started the game with the advantage of the slope and took the game to RCA getting the better of the early exchanges. A long ball from Mitchell split the RCA defence and landed at the feet of Alexander but Wray was able to get back and block the shot as the Crook forward took too long to control the ball.

The next chance of the game came from an RCA freekick, Wood’s kick rebounded of the two man wall and fell to Davison who moved the ball forward quickly to Weekes, he in turn slid the ball into the penalty area where Blackburn beat the RCA keeper to the ball, cut back and curled a shot goalwards, luckily for RCA Preston read the danger and was able to head the ball off the line.

This was the wake up call that RCA needed and they started to get more possession, Callen and Hughes combines well on the left and when Hughes burst past Davison inside the area he looked to be fouled but the penalty appeals were turned down by the referee.

Two minutes later and the quick thinking of Hughes in taking a throw in to Callen caught the Crook defence napping, Callen drifted across the penalty area passing three sytatic defenders before firing in a shot which was comfortably saved by Graham.

RCA had picked up the tempo of the game and Crook were forced to defend in numbers and relied on breaking quickly.

On the half hour Brown picked up a ball from a pass by Jury, slipped his marker before delivering a perfectly flighted ball to the back post where Callen met the ball but could only head it into the side netting.

In 35 minute Crook were reduced to ten men when Weekes kicked out at Wood as the RCA player lay on the ground. Little else the referee could do.

For all their pressure in the final ten minutes of the half RCA could only manage one real chance from a Brown freekick, again delivered to the back post, this time Preston rose to meet it but could only manage to send it wide of the upright.

With the advantage of the slope and an extra man RCA piled on the pressure in the early part of the second half.

However, in Graham, Crook had a very capable keeper who stopped everything that was fired at him.

Combined with some, at times, desperate defending they kept RCA at bay. It could have been so different if Callen had made the most of a glorious opportunity in the opening minute of the second half but his well struck shot was well saved by Graham.

In the 50 minute Wood displayed his dribbling skills when he slipped past three defenders before cutting the ball across the penalty area for Bythway who from 10 yards out blazed the ball over the bar.

With the pressure mounting it took a great double save from Graham to deny Hughes, the quick RCA striker burst into the box, cut inside the full back before unleashing a great shot which Graham parried at the foot of the post, Hughes following up drove in another shot which the keeper turned away for a corner.

Crook were resilient in their defending and in Alexander they had a forward who was willing to run all day and hold the ball up when it was played forward.

Hughes was a constant threat for RCA but a lack of luck continues to follow him, in the 65 minute he shrugged of two defenders before hitting a low shot which beat Graham only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Renshaw, the ball conveniently falling into the arms of the Crook keeper.

RCA brought on Kyle Morris to replace Callen and his first touch set up Hughes, this time his effort rebounded off the post and was cleared.

Crook produced a moment of anxiety in the RCA defence when in the 80 minute they surged forward, Webster playing the ball forward over the heads of the RCA defence, Blackburn picked up the ball and it took a good save from Morris to keep the scores level.

With the game drifting towards extra time Hughes went down under a challenge from Crooks substitute Greenwell and the referee pointed to the spot.

With the normal penalty taker in the stands Brown took responsibility and crashed the ball past Graham to take RCA through to the next round.

This was nowhere near a classic football match it was obvious that both teams are struggling with confidence and it became a scrappy affair which was always only going to be settled by the odd goal.

RCA will need to be a lot better than this on Tuesday when they take on West Auckland Town at Meadow Park.

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Hughes, Barton.    West: Fowler, Moffatt

SRCA welcomed tabletopping West Auckland to Meadow Park for this top versus bottom Ebac Northern League Division 1 encounter.

With the injury worries looking to have inproved in the last 48 hours the management team had almost a full squad to choose from. Back into the team came Carmichael, Gary Wood, Charlton and Barton. They replaced Carl Morris, Wray, McNab and Wilson in an attacking line up. Tony Coe, initially in the starting 11 pulled up during the warm up and was unable to take part.

The game started well for the home team as they looked to take advantage of the slope, in the opening minute Hughes pounced on the ball after some indecisiveness in Wests defence and it took a good block by Gibson to stop the RCA striker.

In the fifth minute of the game RCA were awarded their first corner when Hughes again slipped past two challenges before Gibson deflected his shot wide, The corner was won by Hall who headed away to Close, he sent the ball forward to Larkin who fired over from 20 yards out.

This was to be the pattern of the half as RCA pushed forward and West were happy to counter attack.

RCA took the lead in the 20th minute when Hughes beat the offside trap before lobbing the ball over the head of Lowson from 20 yards, his first goal of the season and well deserved.

A minute later it could have been 2-0 as RCA swept forward again, a ball to the edge of the box by Gary Wood was chested into the path of Jury who drove in a low shot which Lowson did well to stop from creeping into the bottom corner.

The game was swinging from end to end without any real chances being created until in the 40 minute Fowler set up Briggs on the edge of the box and the ex-RCA player stuck a sweet shot inches wide of the upright.

West started the second half the better and in the 47 minute it took a great save by Carmichael to deny Larkin from three yards out after he connected with a Briggs corner.

Three minutes later and Galpin stabbed the ball forward to Larkin who moved into space before smashing a terrific thunderbolt of shot from 25 yards out which Carmichael did tremndously well to tip over the bar.

RCA held on until the hour mark, when West equalised, Briggs picking up a pass from Close played a 40 yard crossfield ball to the feet of Fowler and he volleyed an unstoppable shot past Carmichael.

 RCA, although disappointed to concede struck back almost immediately whe Hughes picked up a ball from Lewis Wood to slot home only to be ruled offside.

The home fans didn't have to wait long for their team to regain the lead, again it was that man Hughes causing the problems this time his cross into the box was heading for Callen but Hall fouled the RCA winger and the referee had no heistation in pointing to the spot. Barton smashed the penalty home to restore RCA lead.

West were in disarray at the back and RCA should have taken advantage of this as Gary Wood won the ball in midfield played it into the path of Hughes who slipped past the keeper and with the goal at his mercy fired the ball straight at the outstretched leg of Hall.

As the game entered it final five minutes West were awarded a freekick 25 yards out for a very dubious foul on Close. Pattison took the kick, floating it to th eback post where Moffatt, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, Headed home from a yard out.

West then almost took the lead deep into injury time when Briggs had a shot blocked by Brown then Galpin had a curling shot well saved by Carmichael.

RCA survived a frantic end to the game as West poured forward in numbers, there was even a penalty appeal turned down when a freekick appeared to strike a defender on the arm, but in the end they deserved the point for a very gutsy performance.

We have set the bench mark for the rest of the season now and need to maintain this level in all games.

This season is going to be tough every team seems capable of taking points from each other and there are no runaway leaders or whipping boys at the moment. 

Saturday, 11 October 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: Charlton, Morris, Bythway and Austin-Wilson.

SRCA entertained Crook Town for the second time in seven days and after the closely fought encounter in the FA Vase last week a keen encounter was envisaged for today's match.

Both managers made changes from last week's squads with cup-tied players involved in the two squads.

RCA only made one change from the team that played exceptionally well in the mid week draw against top of the table West Auckland. With Barton unable to make the game due to work commitments, it gave an opportunity for Kyle Morris to step in to the No 9 shirt.

The game set off at a furious pace with first RCA attacking through Callen, he drifted wide of his marker before sending in an inviting cross which was headed clear by Davison with Morris in close attendance. the clearance fell to Poole who quickly switch play to the other end of the park with a supurbly weighted pass which Weekes controlled but fired low into the side netting.

In the fifth minute RCA took the lead when a through ball from Jury looked to be going out of play for a goal kick, Lewis Wood had other ideas, slipped past the Crook defender before cutting the ball back into the path of Charlton, his first shot was saved by Graham and the ball was scrambled away but fell to Charlton again and this time he made no mistake side footing the ball into the bottom corner.

As the rain started, got heavier until it was torrential, the play on the pitch got slower and very predictable, both teams resorting to long balls in the hope that the conditions would force errors from defenders. However both teams seemed well able to cope with whatever came there way.

The rain relented as half time approached and it was Crook who seemed to suddenly wake up. Holbrook found space on the left and sent in a wicked cross which was inch perfect for Alexander, but the Crook striker headed over the bar.

In the final minute of the half Hughes ran onto a through ball from Gary Wood and saw his cross cum shot cleared over his own bar by Davison.

What a start to the second half for RCA, Lewis Wood picked out Callen on the left, he cut inside before sliding the ball to Hughes who flicked the ball first time into the path of Morris who guided the ball past the outstretched hand of Graham.

Within three minutes it was 3-0 when Charlton won a corner on the right, Gary Wood sent a lovely cross to the back post where Bythway was on hand to head home from five yards out.

RCA looked in total command and Crook were forced to defend as the swept forward at every opportunity.

Then in the 75th minute Callen was dismissed for kicking out at a Crook defender and the game suddenly changed.

Crook looked to push forward as RCA made changes to their formation leaving one up front.

In the 80th minute Crook were awarded a freekick on the left, Evison took it and found Weekes free at the far post and the striker should have done better than head over the bar from close range.

As the game drifted into the last 10 minutes. Crook almost pulled a goal back when Poole played Rose in but he could only fire wide of the target with only the keeper to beat.

By committing players forward Crook were leaving gaps in their defence and in the 88th minute Lewis Wood went clear of the Crook defence with two players in support, but his cross evaded everyone, was picked up by Holbrooke who set Crook on the attack once more this time Wray made a timely challenge as Rose tried to break into the penalty area.

In the final minute of normal time RCA wrapped up a convincing win when Lewis Wood won the ball in midfield, chipped it forward to Charlton who played it into the path of Austin-Wilson and he made no mistake from eight yards out, giving Graham no chance.

RCA deserved the win no doubt about that and it keeps the momentum going, unbeaten under the new management team and impressive home form which has eluded us for the last couple of seasons.

There is still a long way to go till the end of the season and plenty of water to run under the bridge, but we have turned a corner and we now look like a team who is hard to beat and can score goals.

Next up North Shields Away.  

Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Ebac Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: None North Shields FC: Morris, Wrightson, Holmes.

Only one change for this ENL First Divison match against newly promoted and highflying North Shields. Into the team came leading scorer Barton replacing Kyle Morris.

RCA were undeafeated under the new management team of Swaz and Gee, before tonight's match and optimism was high for the run to continue. North Shields have set the first division alight with their start to the season and the fans were expecting an easy three points tonight.

From the start both teams looked to attack, RCA in the opening minutes created the first chance when a ball from Jury found Barton in space but the RCA striker fired over the bar.

North Shields first attack came when Morris latched onto a long ball from Parker, passed inside to Walker who fired in a low drive which Carmichael did well to save low down to his left before Brown cleared up field.

Morris was causing problems for the RCA defence with his pace and in the 15th minute he dribbled his way into a shooting position, but Carmichael was quickly off his line to smother the shot.

RCA were back on the attack in the through Callen, the winger picking up the ball on the half way line before slipping inside past two defenders and unleashing a wickedly dipping shot which Bannon saved brilliantly, tipping the ball onto the bar. In the goalmouth scramble that followed both Hughes and Charlton had shots blocked before Walker cleared the danger.

Once again Shields moved the ball forward and a quick one two between Morris and Luccock resulted in the latter firing in a shot which Carmichael saved.

Minutes later and RCA rattled the Shields bar again this time Gary Wood won the ball in midfield before crossing into the box where Barton rose above everyone to head onto the bar and the rebound was cleared by Elliot.

In the 38th minute Hughes had to leave the field with a groin/hip injury and he was replaced by Austin-Wilson.

Within a minute Austin-Wilson had a great chance to open the scoring when a cross cum shot from Callen struck the bar and the ball fell to the substitute, but his shot was blocked and cleared, the resulting cross from Callen was collected under pressure by Bannon.

The second half saw North Shiedls raise the pace of the game and RCA seemed to struggle to come to terms with it.

A long ball to Luccock seemed to be cut out by Carmichael but his clearance fell straight to the Shields winger who managed to fire the ball over the bar with an empty net beckoning.

However it wasn't long before the home team took the lead, a slick move through midfield saw the final ball slipped through to Morris who broke past the RCA defence before firing past Casrmichael.

North Shields increased the pressure and Luccock was now causing problems on the right and it was his cross which Carmichael could not hold andthe ball fell to Wrightson who volleyed home from two yards out.

RCA's only response was from a corner which Barton headed over the bar. However there were signs that RCA were getting a foothold into the game with 20 minutes to go.

Unfortunately in the 75th minute, RCA lost the ball deep in Shields half and the ball was played forward quickly to Holmes who broke forward before slotting the ball into the bottom corner finishing the match as a contest.

North Shields continued to break forward quickly and although they had the ball in the net again it was ruled offside and the game ended 3-0.

This was a wake-up call for RCA. Although they played well for 45 minutes and auguably could have been 2-0 up they were completely over run in the second half by a very pacy North Shields team.

Next up Bedlington Terriers which is going to be another hard match against a high flying team.

RCA captain Gary Wood considers attacking options in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 18 October 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: None: Bedlington Terriers: Young, Nellis.

Please click here for some photos from the match.

The games are coming thick and fast at the moment and we seem to be playing all the top teams in the same month, West Auckland (Top), North Shields (4th) and now Bedlington Terriers who are lying in 2nd place in the table.

Bedlington look to be having the sort of season that we had when we finished 4th in the league while we are still trying to get a settled squad.

Once again injury to a key player, Joe Hughes, caused a change in the formation and selection of the team, Wray returned to the centre of defence, Brown was pushed forward into midfield leaving Barton as the only front man in a 4-5-1 formation.

RCA took advantage of the wind and the slope in the first half and were on the attack from the start, a long ball from Jury to Lewis Wood split the Terriers' defence, but the final ball into the box towards Callen was read by McCafferty in the Terriers' goal.

Bedlington threatened two minutes later when Davison sent a ball out of defence to Watson on the edge of the RCA Penalty area, he tried to make space for the shot but Bythway was able to get in a tackle and the ball went behind for a corner which was cleared up field by Wray.

RCA started to get their passing game together and forced the home team onto the back foot; a quickly taken throw in to Charlton caught the Terriers defence off guard and when the ball was squared to G Wood in space the RCA captained skied his shot well over the bar.

In the 16th minute RCA ripped the Bedlington defence wide open with a slick passing move which saw the ball chested into the path of Brown by Barton, Brown then slid the ball to Callen who played in Wood and his first time shot was well saved by  McCafferty.

A long clearance by McCafferty almost produced the opening goal of the game as Wray slipped and let in Watson, but Carmichael made a fantastic save.

In the 23rd minute a cross into the box by jury was headed on by Callen and fell to Barton, the RCA striker clipped a neat shot past the outstretched arms of McCafferty but unbelievably it hit the underside if the bar  then the inside of the post before rebounding into the keeper's arms.

The pressure was relentless now from RCA as they surged forward looking for that all important first goal. A good move between Lewis and Gary Wood saw the RCA captain's effort blocked by Harmiston and the rebound was fired wide by Lewis Wood.

Bedlington were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch when Harmiston handled a through ball from Charlton which was heading towards Barton. A yellow card and Barton blasted the freekick over the bar.

In the final minute of the half a long throw found Callen free inside the area, but McCafferty was able to produce another good save to deny RCA the lead.

The second half started in dramatic fashion when Barton slipped the ball past Little and tried to run past the defender; he was deliberately fouled and adjudged to have been denied a goalscoring opportunity and Little was dismissed.

The freekick taken by Bythway was sent into the box and Lewis Wood headed just wide of the upright.

With Bedlington reduced to 10 men RCA looked to push forward and when Callen was fouled on the edge of the box Gary wood took the freekick which was Blocked by the outstretched arm of a Bedlington defender and a penalty was  awarded. Barton stepped up and fired in a low shot which McCafferty saved brilliantly diving to his right.

This had the effect of galvanising the home team and they almost opened the scoring through Nellis when he was sent clear of the RCA defence by Blandford, but his shot was saved by Carmichael.

The Jury, Barton combination set Lewis Woods up with a great opportunity as he took the ball in his stride before unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot which struck the post and rebound away for a throw in to Bedlington. RCA continued to press and Charlton did get the ball in the net but was ruled offside.

Having withstood the pressure for almost all of the second half Bedlington brought on their substitutes and they had an immediate impact, Young breaking down the left before sending in a cross which beat Carmichael but Jury was on hand to clear off the line.

A minute later and Young again caused problems as he ran onto a ball from Blandford and fired in a low shot which Preston managed to block, the rebound was blasted wide by Walker.

This should have been a warning to RCA, but they didn't heed it as they continued to over commit players and eventually the were caught on the break, a cross into the box by Charlton was tipped away by McCafferty and the ball was cleared up field by Harvey, the ball fell to Young who, from 25 yards hit a screamer of a shot which flew into the roof of the net despite Carmichael getting a hand to it.

RCA continued to press forward now in search of an equaliser, but another breakaway by Bedlington produced a goal deep into injury time this time Callen was dispossessed inside the home teams penalty area and the ball was swept out to the left where Young slipped the ball into the path of Nellis wand he deftly chipped the ball over Carmichael and into the net.

Not what RCA deserved as they bossed most of the game only to fall down in the final third of the pitch. Had the penalty been converted then it might have been a different story. However there was a lack of discipline in the team towards the end of the game. 

Before the game we would have been happy with a draw, our starting formation was set up with that in mind, don't concede. When Bedlington went down to 10 men and Gary Wood went off injured we lost our shape defensively and got punished for it. Hopefully lesson learned.

Next up the visit of Newton Aycliffe another team, like ourselves, struggling at the wrong end of the table.. Even at this stage of the season it is being classed as a six pointer.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Hughes,   N. Aycliffe: C Winter.

Meadow Park played host to third bottom Newton Aycliffe in this six-pointer, the visitors having suffered a run of six straight defeats while we have lost our last two matches despite playing well.

However with both teams recently securing the services of new managers and new players this was always going to be a close run affair.

Out of the window at half time went the unwritten rule regarding discussing the referee's performance, but that is for a little later.

RCA were forced to make a change up front with Barton unable to play after injuring his ankle in Saturday's defeat and in his place came Hughes on his return from injury. Jordan was also given his first start for the team replacing Lewis Wood in midfield.

The opening minutes of the game saw RCA attacking up the slope and as is becoming customary conceded a goal from our corner. In the third minute Callen forced a corner kick after a good left wing run, Brown took the corner which was easily defended at the near post and the clearance landed at the feet of Garthwaite who was allowed to run unchallenged for 40 yards before squaring the ball to the unmarked Conor Winter and the ex-RCA striker slotted home from 12 yards out.

Newton Aycliffe to hang onto the lead for three minutes. RCA were awarded a freekick on the right, Bythway tried to slip the ball to Hughes, but Mitton read the intent but miscued his clearance and Bythway at the second attaempt threaded the ball through to Hughes and the striker flicked the ball over James Winter's head and into the net.

Seven minutes gone and  1-1, what a start from two teams who have found scoring difficult recently.

The game became tense and srappy with some mistimed tackles going unpunished by the officials, in the 11th minute Banks picked the ball up on the left, slipped past a defender before sending in a cross to the edge of the box where Conor Winter was storming in  but he mis hit his shot straight at Carmichael.

At the other end a good run by Charlton ended with the winger send in a perfect cross to Hughes who controlled the ball before sending ijn a terrific shot which James Winter was only able to parry away, Mitton cleared the danger.

As the game deteriorated as a spectacle and the tackling became fiercer it was apparent that neither team were willing to give up the midfield without a battle and that's what the crowd got.

There could so easily have been two red cards and six or seven bookings. Had the first serious foul been dealt with a bit more consistently then the game would have got back on track earlier.

Aycliffe were the first to calm down and start playing football and it was another good run by Mitton who produced a stnning ball across the face of the goal but there was no one on hand to tap home.

On the half hour mark RCA were unlucky not to go in front, when a fluent move down the left saw Bythway and Callen combine before Callen was fouled,  Bythway took the freekick sent a lovely cross to the far post where Wray headed inches wide of the post.

Aycliffe went straight down the other end where Boagey controlled the ball well before setting up Young who sent in a terrific shot on the turn which flew over the bar.

After a couple of niggly fouls, RCA had a freekick on the left, Bythway sent in a cross which Callen deflected into the path of Hughes his shot was blocked by Maddison and fell to Charlton who fired wide.

As the half ended, a long ball from Brown into the penalty area seemed to be handled by an Aycliffe defender, but the referee only awarded a corner.

With the advantage of the slope RCA started to drive forward at the start of the second period , however when we do this we leave opening at the back.

Both teams were now relying on the long ball and any coherent midfield play was lost. RCA did win a number of corners but in Maddison and Mitton Aycliffe had players who were well capable of dealing with everything that RCA threw at them.

As the game wore on the pressure mounted and once again the match became very scrappy, then in the 70th minute Aycliffe has a golden opportunity to settle the match as a cross in from Banks was not cleared properly and fell to Hinchley on the edge of the box but the Aycliffe substitute blasted the ball well wide of the target.

Two minutes later and RCA thought they had taken the lead a cross into the box by Callen was headed backwards by Maddison and the ball fell to Charlton who drilled in a low cross which Was deflected into the net by an Aycliffe defender only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. (Apparently our new centre forward Smart, who hadn't touched the ball since his introduction was interfering with play?).

Then Aycliffe missed the chance of the match when he miskicked a shot from two yards out and the ball fell into the arms of Carmichael.

After that the game degenerated into something of a farce with Aycliffe looking to waste time and RCA not able to break down a very well organised defence.

At the end RCA can count themselves unlucky to have only come away with a draw but once again we were the victims of some weird and wonderful decisions by the referees,

However, there are signs that we are a lot stronger than we were a month ago. 

We remain unbeaten at home under the new management team and need to build on that for the remainder of the season.

Next up is Newcastle Benfield FC at home.

Terrific Tony. High impact sub Tony Coe returned from injury to score two cracking goals against Newcastle Benfield.

Saturday, 25 October 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Please click here for photos from the match.

Goalscorers: SRCA: Coe (2), Charlton:  Benfield: None

RCA were without a number of players for this important EBAC Northern League match, Barton (Ankle Injury), Callen (Suspension), Wray (Work), Smart and Austin-Wilson (Holidays) were all unavailable for today’s match. In to the team came Lewis Wood, and Ross McNab and there was a welcome return after long term injuries for Tony Coe and Davis Henderson and they, along with Alex Smith, Jack Stanger and Carl Morris occupied the bench.

Newcastle Benfield started the game with the advantage of not only the slope but also the very strong wind which was blowing straight down the pitch. In the early exchanges both teams looked to adapt to the conditions but it appeared that the conditions were winning as the ball seemed to get blown 20 yards further than it was meant to go.

RCA’s first real attacking move of the game brought the first goal of the afternoon when Jury switched play from the right to the left, Hughes controlled the ball well before weaving his way past two defenders to deliver a great near post ball which Charlton managed to get to and stab home from close range.

Benfield responded almost immediately when Paterson intercepted a pass and sent a great ball forward which evaded the RCA defenders and fell invitingly for Taylor, the Benfield forward lobbed the advancing Carmichael but the ball drifted wide of the upright.

Two minutes later and Benfield were awarded a freekick when Bowes was fouled 25 yards out. Taylor drove the kick low under the wall but Preston was able to clear the ball up the field. RCA withstood the pressure being applied by Benfield and were responding with some good counter attacks.

The injury bug struck again in the 17th minute when Jordan pulled up with a groin injury and had to be replaced by Stanger.

In the 20th minute Bythway and McNab combined to send Hughes clear of the Benfield defence; his shot was blocked by Tobin and the rebound fell to Charlton whose thunderous shot hit the foot of Grainger and was cleared by Leeson.

Five minutes later and Hughes almost doubled RCA’s lead when he latched on to a Stanger through ball before chipping the ball over Grainger but like Benfields earlier effort the ball slipped narrowly wide of the post.

With half an hour gone Carmichael was required to make his first real save of the half when Nolan dribbled past two RCA defenders, cut inside and unleashed a low drive which the RCA keeper held fairly easily.

This was Benfields best spell of the half but RCA were containing them and restricting them to long range efforts both Leeson and Scorgie firing efforts over the bar.

As the half entered its final minute Hughes once again skipped past his marker before squaring the ball into the box where it took a terrific challenge by Morse to prevent Lewis Wood from getting in a shot.

RCA opened well at the start of the second half and Hughes, who had causing problems all afternoon, picked up a through ball from Stanger before firing in a shot which took a deflection for a corner, Brown took the kick and Preston rose highest but directed his header wide of the goal.

Two minutes later and Benfield came very close to equalising when the won a corner on the right, the cross into the box was superbly headed by Morse but Jury, not for the first time this season, was on hand to clear off the line.

With Gary Wood struggling with an injury RCA brought on Coe and what an impact he had, a freekick was taken by Stanger to Hughes who clipped the ball into the path of Coe and with his first touch of the game he lobbed Grainger to make it 2-0.

RCA took control of the game from this point on and when Jury found Lewis Wood with a trademark cross field ball it looked like it would be 3-0 but Tobin came across to blocked the shot.

In the 80th minute a break by Benfield almost got them back into the game, Bowes slipping the ball through to Taylor who, inside the box, scuffed his shot and it fell into the arms of Carmichael.

RCA sealed the points in th e88 minute when Jury and Stanger traded passes before the ball was played into the path of Lewis Wood who burst past the Benfield defence before unselfishly squaring the ball to Coe who side-footed into the net from eight yards out.

This was another good performance from the lads and they showed throughout the team that they are up for the fight.

Hopefully the injury, late in the game, to Tony Coe is not too serious given his recent spell out.

Next up is the Durham Challenge Cup tie against Stockton Town FC, Wearside league leaders and unbeaten this season. This will be a stern test for our players.