Saturday, 1 November 2014

FA Vase 1st Round Proper

Goalscorers: SRCA: Austin-Wilson;  Handsworth: None

RCA welcomed Handsworth Parramore FC of the North East Counties League to Meadow Park for this First Round tie of the FA Vase.

The visitors, like ourselves, have recently changed managers and are in a period of transistion.

With a number of the first team squad missing the manager gave debuts to our two latest signing and brought into the squad club stalwart Wayne Henderson (16 seasons with the club) for his first appearance of the season. Into the team Richardson, replacing Jury (wife due to give birth), Armstrong, for Hughes (working), Coe, for Charlton (Cup tied) other notable absentes were Barton (injured) and Callen (suspended). The team was as follows:

Carmichael, Richardson, Bythway, Brown, Preston, Armstrong, Stanger, Wood L, Coe, Wood G, McNab: Subs: Austin-Wilson, Morris C, Wray, Henderson D, Henderson W.

The visitors took advantage of the slope in the first half and immediately went on the attack, a cross into the box by Marrison was headed wide by Handsworth’s top scorer Smith.

As the game settled a lovely through ball from Griffith found Fletcher in space on the right edge of the penalty area and he hit a fierce drive which looked to be creeping in at the near post, but Carmichael managed to get across to parry the ball away and Bythway cleared the danger.

At the other end RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the area when Armstrong was fouled, Bythway took the kick which smashed against the underside of the bar and the rebound was picked up by Stanger but his effort was blocked by Maxfield.

Handsworth responded to this with a spell of pressure, but their tactic of sending high balls into the box wasn’t effective as Preston and Brown seemed capable of dealing with them.

The game was stopped in the 18th minute due to a serious injury to stand in centre forward Anthony Coe, (later diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder and shoulder ligament damage).

The referee took the players off the field to await an ambulance and sensibly allowing the players a period of time to warm up again before continuing the match after half an hour.

Almost from the restart RCA went on the attack, a through ball from Stanger was met by substitute Austin-Wilson, on for the injured Coe, he skipped past his marker and into the box before firing in a low shot which was blocked. The rebound fell to Armstrong but he couldn’t get enough power in his shot and Lindley was able to pick up the loose ball.

Back came the visitors this time down the left, Maxfield found Tootle with a great ball and the winger cut inside before shooting but Preston was able to block the shot at the expense of a corner. Brown managed to Head the corner clear.

Minutes later and Handsworth were awarded a freekick after a tackle on Tootle, Thompson fired the ball straight into the RCA wall and from the rebound shot well wide of the target.

As the game entered the last ten minutes of the half RCA had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Austin-Wilson picked up a loose ball at the far post and fired in a shot which struck Maxfield on the arm. Both the Referee and the Assistant waved the appeal away. Gary Wood took the corner and Cotterick headed clear.

Handsworth continued to press until the half time whistle, but RCA stayed resolute in defence.

With the advantage of the slope in the second half RCA supporters would have expected their team to pressurise their opponents from the off but it was the visitors who created the first opening of the half. Fletcher sending in a wicked cross which was met by Smith who powered in a header which Carmichael was relieved to see go wide of the target.

RCA eventually got their passing game together and started to make an impression on the Handsworth defence. However the hard working midfield meant that they were restricting the home team long range efforts or over hit passes.

In the 55th minute a through ball from Armstrong was well controlled by Austin-Wilson, but as he cut across the angle of the box he was stopped from shooting by a great tackle by Cotterick.

RCA were being frustrated by Handsworth and as attacks were breaking down they were leaving themselves exposed to quick counter attacks, however the back four of RCA were able to deal effectively with this.

The game was becoming a battle of the midfield with neither team able to gain control.

Then, slightly against the run of play, RCA took the lead, awarded a freekick on the right Stanger took it quickly to Brown who moved the ball forward to Austin-Wilson in space, his first shot was saved by Lindsay, the second from the rebound was blocked by Burrell but at the third attempt he squeezed the ball past the diving Lindsay and into the corner of the net.

Handsworth made a couple of quick substitutions in an attempt to put more firepower up front and it almost worked a high ball into the box from Tootle was headed over the bar by Cardwell.

A minute later and a low cross into the box by Marrison was met by Travis who caught the ball perfectly and with Carmichael beaten the ball rebounded off the bar and fell to a Handsworth player who headed straight into the keepers arms.

With time running out it was nearly all Handsworth as they piled forward looking for and equaliser and it took some heroic efforts by Preston, who was outstanding all afternoon, Bythway and Wray to keep them at bay.

A relieved RCA team, who had given their all, were jubilant at the final whistle.

This was a game where every player on the park gave 100% effort and whilst it might not have been a classically entertaining match it was full of endeavour and enterprise.

On another day RCA might have lost this match but we now have a belief in ourselves, especially at home. Defensively we were excellent today with Ross Preston the pick of the bunch, closely followed by Browny, Lee Bythway and what a baptism of fire for debutants Richardson and Armstrong.

We go again in the Durham Challenge Cup against Stockton Town on Tuesday night.

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round

Goalscorers: SRCA: Wray, Charlton, Brown; Stockton Town: Stockton;

Stockton Town were the visitors to Meadow Park for tonight's Durham Challenge Cup first round tie. 

Stockton, unbeaten in 22 games thus far this season and running away with the Wearside league, were looking to pit their skills against a Sunderland RCA side, who under new manager Martin Swales, looked to be improving rapidly. Since Martin's appointment RCA have played 10, won six, drawn two and lost two; unfortunately the majority of the won games have been in cup competions like tonight.

The RCA team looked a little experimental with Austin-Wilson in at left back, Brown pushed into midfield/forward role, Armstrong sitting in a holding role, Stanger wide right and Hughes recalled to play as the solitary front man. Both Gary and Lewis Wood were suffering from knocks picked up on Saturday and on the bench we saw the welcome return of Barton after a lengthy period out with an ankle injury and John Jury after missing Saturday's match due to the birth of his son Joel.

As has become customary lately the opposition elect to take advantage of the slope and the match kicked off on an autumnal evening with Stockton forcing the pace in the early stages.

RCA  looked capable of withstanding the early pressure exerted by Stockton and responded with effective use of the wide men in building counter attacks. Neither keeper was forced into action in the opening 10 minutes as the teams worked out each others tactics.

In the 12th minute, Stockton's captain, Roberts played a great ball to Stockton, who curled a beautiful shot towards the top corner and Carmichael had to be at his supreme best to tip over the bar at full stretch. The low driven corner caused panic in the home defence but was scrambled clear by Preston.

The game, as on Saturday, seemed to get bogged down in a midfield war of attrition with both teams limited to long range efforts. It is fair to say that Stockton seemed to have more possession and shots than RCA at this stage in tha game.

However, the best chance of the half to date fell to RCA on the half hour, Armstrong picked up a loose ball in the centre circle and sent a great forward ball into the path of Brown who slipped past the final defender before bearing down on goal, Arthur produced a stunning save from Brown's first shot and then reacted superbly to the follow up shot, which was driven low by Brown, to divert it for a corner.

This had the effect of opening the game up and Stockton picked up the pace, a surging run by Craggs ended with a terrific effort, which the RCA players were happy to see sail over the bar.

In the 44th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the right wing which Armstrong took, drifting a lovely flighted ball onto the head of Wray, who was unmarked in the six yard area, and he powered a header into the net past the helpless Arthur.

Its easy to see why Stockton haven't lost in 22 games, their passing and commitment in the first half was excellent and it took some great defending by RCA to keep them at bay.

The second half saw the introduction of Barton for the injured Hughes and he was immediately in the action holding up the ball before setting up Brown for a shot which was blocked.

In the 50th minute a slack ball out of defence was picked up by Stockton and he fired in a shot which brought a brilliant save from Carmichael and Austin-Wilson cleared up under pressure from Garbutt.

Stockton continued to press forward looking for an equaliser and a cross into the box by Stockton was headed over the bar by Roberts and a minute later Roberts brought another great save by Carmichael this time from point blank range.

Having withstood this pressure RCA started to build up there own spell of pressure and this resulted in their second goal of the game, a quick passing movement between Barton and Stanger sent Charlton clear of the Stockton defence and he somehow managed to squeeze a shot inside the near post past Arthur.

Then came two moments of madness, in the 63rd minute Hannah fouled Richardson and was shown a Yellow Card, from the freekick the ball was played to the opposite wing where the same player put in a late challenge on Preston and was shown his second Yellow and dismissed.

This dismissal had the effect of spurring Stockton on and they were chasing everything and making it difficult for RCA to get possession of the ball. Preston, injured in the earlier challenge left the field and was replaced by Henderson.

It was no surprise that Stockton got back into the game in the 80th minute when Stockton slammed home a close range shot during a goalmouth scramble, after the RCA defence couldn't clear the danger.          

This set up a grandstand finish as Stockton piled bodies forward against RCA's makeshift defence and it took two terrific saves from Carmichael to deny the visitors an equaliser and extra time.

RCA were reduced to humping the ball forward and it was coming straight back at them. Stockton in the final mnute of normal time had a great chance to level the scores but Cossavella couldn't get his shot on target.

Deep into injury time a long clearance from Richardson fell to Brown who skipped past a very tired Stockton defence before somehow evading two dives by Athur before clipping the ball into the empty net.

3-1 flattered RCA who for long periods looked to be outclassed by their opponents. However they showed the difference in the leagues is in the finishing, RCA took their chances well and Stockton found Carmichael in superb   form tonight.

RCA march on to play our favorite team Spennymoor Town in the next round early in January, (why do we always seem to get them in cup competitions).  

With a free weekend our next match is another cup match, this time away to Dunston UTS in the League cup.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Northern League Cup

Goalscorers: Dunston: Ormston, Bulford. SRCA: None.

RCA travelled up the A1 to play Dunston in the EBAC Northern League Cup at the Dunston UTS Stadium. Another top v bottom game but, as they say, anything can happen in football.

Martin Swales' problems started before kick off. Held up in traffic, he arrived to the news that Ross Preston had failed a fitness test and was unavailable and within minutes of the warm up starting Joe Hughes pulled up with a recurrence of a hernia problem which has plagued him all season.

The eventual starting eleven included new signing Clayton Davis, making his debut after transferring from Washington FC. Danny Austin-Wilson replaced Hughes up front, Jury was installed in the centre of midfield to replace the injured Gary Wood and Callen returned to the team after suspension. The team: Carmichael, Richardson, Bythway, Wray, Brown, Davis, Jury, Charlton, Barton, Austin-Wilson, Callen, Subs: McNab, Morris, Henderson (D).

From the kick off Dunston went on the attack and it was Ormston who created the first chance of the game with a low driven cross which Carmichael smothered at the near post.

RCA responded a minute later as debutant Davis sprinted into space on the right before putting in a cross which Gilhespy cleared with Austin-Wilson and Barton in close attendance.

In the 12th minute a snap shot by number 10 Harrison was easily saved by Carmichael. Minutes later and Dunston’s Dixon had a great chance to open the scoring when he met a cross from Wilson, but could only sky his shot well over the bar.

RCA were starting to get their passing moves together and a slick move between Davis and Richardson sent Charlton clear on the right and his cross to the edge o the box was met by Austin-Wilson, but the ball bobbled and the chance was gone as Coulson intercepted to clear.

In the 20th minute RCA were awarded a freekick 35 yards out and Richardson floated in a great ball which was met by Wray, but his header was well saved low down by Clark.

As the game continued at a pace it was end-to-end stuff and entertaining for both sets of fans.

With 25 minutes gone Wilson met an Ormston cross at the front post, but his diving header went wide.

As the half hour approached it was Dunston who looked to be creating the better chances although RCA were playing well up to the final third.

The next chance fell to Kane as he picked up a clever through ball from Dixon but skewed his shot wide of the far post.

An injury to Halliday meant he couldn’t continue and he was replaced by Cattanach.

RCA’s best chance of the half fell to Austin-Wilson in the 35th minute when he burst past Cattanach to get to a through ball from Charlton before unleashing a great volley which sailed inches wide of the post with Clark well beaten.

Two minutes later and Wightman was played in by Dixon, but he pulled his shot wide of the near post.

In the final throws of the first half Davis, who had impressed so far on his debut, once again slipped his marker before firing in a low shot which went into the side netting.

The second half saw RCA burst out of the traps putting Dunston under pressure from the off.

A good move on the left saw Callen win a corner and the resulting kick by Brown was met at the back post by Barton and his looping header was expertly tipped onto the bar and over by Clark for another corner, this time the corner was met by Austin-Wilson who headed back across goal and just wide of the upright.

Dunston resorted to punting the ball long in the hope of picking up the ball off the RCA defence and in the 55th minute Ormston did just that, but fired over the bar.

RCA were piling on the pressure at the other end and when Callen fed Austin-Wilson he looked odds on to score but steered his shot wide of the far post.

Then, a minute later Austin-Wilson raced past a static Dunston defence before squaring the ball to Charlton who mis-hit his shot from six yards out and Gilhespy was able to clear.

It was nearly all RCA and in the 65th minute they hit the bar again; this time it was a freekick by Richardson near the corner flag which was met by Wray, but his looping header sailed over Clark and onto the top of the bar.

Dunston’s next chance fell from a Wightman long throw which caused a few problems before Brown headed the ball out for a corner.

RCA had another chance in the 70th minute when Richardson played the ball in to Davis who turned and fired in a first time shot which sailed over the bar.

With 72 minutes gone RCA supporters where wondering what the team had to do to score. A good run by Davis gained a corner on the right. The kick was punched clear by Clark, but fell to Bythway who struck a sweet volley back towards goal, but Ormston managed to get a foot on the ball, on the goal line, and the ball was cleared.

As has happened so many times this season the opposition broke away down the field, a bad bounce beat Jury and the ball was played quickly out to Bulford who did well to get to the ball before pulling it back into the path of Ormston who shot home from close range to make it 1-0.

RCA’s response was immediate as they came straight back at Dunston when a through ball from Jury found Barton who shot on the turn and forced a great save from Clark, with Austin-Wilson challenging at the far post.

With RCA committing players forward they were leaving gaps at the back and in the 80th minute Dunston almost made it 2-0 when a Wilson cross was met by Ormston whose shot hit Carmichael and rebounded to Wilson who fired in another shot which resulted in a goalmouth scramble with the ball eventually stabbed wide by Ormston.

In injury time and with RCA pressing forward Dunston scored again as Bulford latched onto a Wilson diagonal ball and fired in past Carmichael.

RCA can take more positives from this game. Playing the team who are second in the league they dominated for long spells especially in the second half. We won the midfield battle and looked defensively solid until the last 10 minutes, understandable as we pressed forward.

The game was always going to be about who scored first and we certainly had our chances tonight.

I don’t normally pick out individual players but in this game Andrew Brown looked exceptional at the back.

Saturday, 15 November 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: West: Moffatt (2) Richardson (2)

RCA made the trip to table topping West Auckland Town and were in good spirits after the excellent mid-week performance against Dunston UTS.

Unfortunately Martin Swales missed this one due to sickness which meant that his assistant Gee Errington made the team selection. His job was made more difficult when it was revealed that Brown, Barton, L Wood, G Wood and Austin-Wilson were unavailable and added to that list was Hughes who was declared 80% fit and took his place on the bench.

Into the line-up from the match on Tuesday came, Preston, Armstrong and McNab with Davis pushed forward as the lone striker.

Early pressure by West was easily defended by RCA and in the fifth minute they were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box when Charlton was fouled. Armstrong took the kick but it lacke the power to trouble Lowson in the West goal.

West took the lead in the eighth minute. When Briggs looked to foul McNab, the referee allowed play to continue and Briggs swung in a low ball to Richardson, who controlled the ball before turning and firing in a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The game became very scrappy as both teams looked to get to grips with the conditions underfoot.

Another injury blow was dealt to RCA when Charlton, who had looked to be our most dangerous player, was fouled and after lengthy treatment had to leave the field to be replaced by Wayne Henderson.

West lifted the tempo of the game after this and ex-RCA  player Brian Close looked to be getting acres of space. In the 35th minute a through ball by Close was met by Francis who burst into the box and it took a great save by Carmichael to stop West going into a 2-0 lead.

Within minutes West were back when Moffatt forced a corner off Bythway. The corner was floated to the near post where Francis headed it on and Carmichael parried it into the path of Richardson who blasted the ball straight at the RCA keeper.  

The second half saw RCA push forward and an early chance fell to Davis who clipped a shot across the face of goal, but Galpin managed to get a foot to the ball before Armstrong and Close cleared up field.

Almost immediately West went 2-0 up. A pass was intercepted by Briggs and he sent in a great ball to Richardson who struck the back of the net with Carmichael helpless.

RCA came back this time through Callen who drifted across the bax before shooting low, but Lowson managed to get a hand to the ball and it went agonisingly wide of the upright.

West responded and this time it was another mistake as RCA lost possession in the West half. Briggs again sent a long ball forward toward Moffatt and he needed no second chance as he buried his shot into the bottom corner out of the reach of Carmichael.

RCA continued to go forward and a great move between Richardson and Davis set up Callen on the edge of the box but he could only fire his shot straight at Lowson.

Matty Moffatt completed the scoring in the 75th minute when Close picked out Pattinson on the right wing and he swung in a cross which Moffatt headed powerfully home from inside the six yard box.

Next up is the FA Vase match against North Shields at Meadow Park. 

Midfielder James Armstrong in possession in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 22 November 2014

FA Vase 2nd Round

Goalscorers: SRCA: None   North Shields: Bainbridge (3)

Please click here for some photos from the match.

After beating Handsworth Parramore in the first round of the Vase RCA were handed the difficult task of overcoming a very slick North Shields team in the second round. The meeting between the two teams in the league ended 3-0 to North Shields with three clinical second half finishes.

RCA gave a debut to recent signing Stephen Bogie, Carl Morris took over in goal for Carmichael who was on holiday, Brown returned to the centre of midfield, Lewis Wood returning after injury played wide right and Barton returned up front. Both Charlton and Davis were cup tied. So it was a much changed team who took to the park for this important cup match.

The pitch had taken a battering with the amount of rain that had fallen in the last 48 hours and it was only the efforts of the groundstaff on the day that made it playable.

The game itself started rather tamely, not, the first real challenge of the game earning a yellow card for Luke Richardson after a rash challenge on Luccock, from the freekick Ben Richardson crossed to Hughes who headed over the bar.

As the game settled it was RCA who looked to attack up th eslope and Shields were content to counter attack. A good move between Callen and Armstrong was stopped by Parker who played a long ball forward to Denver Morris who forced a save from Carl Morris, the ball was only cleared as far as Denver Morris and hid deft chip was tipped over the bar by the RCA keeper.

RCA continued to probe the Shields defence and when Brown sent a ball forward Bogie laid it off for Callen but his effort was blocked by Hughes.

Two minutes later a RCA were back on the attack, Armstrong played in Bogie and he curled a beautiful shot past the dive of Bannon but unfortunately it hit the upright and rebounded to safety.

The pressure was mounting and in the 22nd minute Armstrong once again picked out a lovely pass to Callen but he blazed his shot well wide.

In the 25th minute a ball from Brown found Callen who slipped the ball into the path of Armstrong and he fired in a great drive which Bannon did really well to turn away for a corner.

Having withstood the pressure Shields started to make their stamina tell and as the game wore on it was obvious that they looked sharper and fitter than RCA.

In the 35th minute a Luccock cross from the left was headed wide by Elliott, a through ball from Ben Richardson fell to Bainbridge and he blasted the ball well wide when in a good position.

Denver Morris then picked up a loose ball in the centre circle played the ball wide to Luccock who chipped the ball into the box where Carl Morris had to make a save at the second attempt with Bainbridge in close attendance.

The final flurry of the half was RCA's as Bogie and Barton combined and the ball finally fell to Bogie who drove a low ball goalwards but Parker blocked the shot, Barton picked up the rebound but his effort was also blocked this time by Hughes.

The  second half started well for RCA as they went on the attack down the slope, however it all fell apart in a disastrous five minute spell.

Lancaster picked up the ball on the left and fed the ball to Wrightson, his reverse pass split the RCA defence in two and Bainbridge was able to capitalise on a slip by Wray to get i a low shot which went through the legs of Morris and into the net.

Five minutes later and it was 2-0, this time a run by Denver Morris was stopped inside the box by Bythway only for the ball to fall into the path of Richardson who squared it to the unmarked Bainbridge who finished clinically from eight yards out.

RCA tried to get back into the game with a number of half chances but the Shields defence were in no mood to let them get any sort of a foothold on the match.

In the 75th minute Bannon turned defence into attack with a quick throw out to Denver Morris who sprinted thirty yards before sliding the ball to Lucock who drew the RCA defence before squaring the ball to Bainbridge who blasted the home to complete his hat trick.

Shields were in almost total control now as their fitness came more into play and they stretched the RCA defence time and time again.

RCA made their substitutions but showed little by way of creativity in the final 15 minutes and it took a desperate tackle from Wood to stop Denver Morris from getting a shot on target.

As in the league match against Shields, RCA were given a object lesson in finishing. We played some good football for long spells in the game but Shields were patient and happy to get eight or nine players goalside of the ball and then hit with pace on the counter attack.

Once in front Shields looked comfortable and RCA found it difficult to break down their very efficient defence.

Good luck to North Shields in the next round against Seaham Red Star. Whoever wins this one might well go all the way to Wembley.