RCA's Clayton Davis battles for the ball in the second half of the match.

Saturday, 6 December 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Brown, Callen, Hughes.   West Allotment: Stonemen.

Please click here for photos from the match.

With no game since the 3 - 0 defeat by North Shields in the FA Vase on the 22 November RCA were looking to get their season back on track at Whitley Park. A victory today against fellow strugglers West Allotment Celtic would go a long way to restoring the confidence of the team after three straight defeats.

Martin Swales made several changes to the side which crashed out of the Vase, Carmichael, Jury,Hughes, Charlton and Davis all returned to the first eleven. In a bold move he started the game with Ross Preston playing up front alongside Joe Hughes.

It was the home team who started on the front foot and in the opening minute Hudson found space on the left to run at the RCA defence before firing in a rasping shot which Carmichael did well to save. A minute later Hudson was again unmarked on the left this time his wicked cross evaded everyone and was cleared by Bythway.

RCA absorbed the initial pressure before settling into their passing game, Jury almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, but blasted his shot wide of the post.

However, RCA didn't have to wait very long to take the lead. Armstong's 12th minute freekick into the box was headed away by Pendlebury, but fell invitingly for Brown on the edge of the box and he powered in a shot which took a deflection on its way into the net.

RCA should have extended their lead minutes later when Beal misjudged the flight of the ball from a Brown corner and the ball fell to Armstrong who looked to have chipped the ball back into the net only for Pendlebury to head over the bar. From the poorly taken corner the home team broke quickly but McGlen totally miscued when through on goal and the ball went halmlessly for a goal kick.

In the 20th minute Jury picked up a pass from Wood before crossing into the box where Hughes met the ball but could only steer his header over the bar.

A minute later and a long ball from Brown found was collected by Hughes who squared it to Preston and he forced a fine save from Beal.

West were threateneing on the break and alarm bells were ringing in the RCA defence when a McGlen cross was headed wide of the upright by Reid then minute later the winger sent an inch perfect pass into the path of Fenwick who, with only the keeper to beat, fired low and hard but Carmichael was able to pull off a supurb one handed save to deny West the equaliser.

RCA where forced on the defensive as half time approached, Fenwick was again denied when he had a shot blocked by Wray and the follow up by Hudson went wide of the post. At the other end Davis had a great chance to increase RCA's lead but his shot was deflected away for a corner.

In the final minute of the half West were awarded a corner. McGlen sent the ball to the far post where Reid powered in a header which Carmichael palmed away but Stoneman was on hand to blast the ball into the net.

Not the best time to concede and it could have been made even worst in injury time when a West freekick was drifted to the back post where Reid was again unmarked but headed wide of the targert.

Unpeturbed by the last five minutes of the first half RCA opened the second half on fire and in the opening minute Davis, tore past the West defence before crossing to the far post where Callen headed goalwards, Beal made a great save parrying the ball out and made an even better save from Callen's follow up shot.

RCA restored their lead in the 50th minute when Wood dribbled past two defenders before slipping the ball to Callen who made no mistake directing his shot wide of the keeper and into the net.

Davis was starting to make his presence felt on the right and when he drifted past his marker and crossed into the box it looked certain that Armstrong would score but the youngster directed his shot inches wide of the upright.

Hughes put the game beyond doubt in 65th minute when he latched onto a ball from Preston before driving into the box past a despairing tackle and despatching a lovely shot into the bottom corner of the net.

West responded by going on the attack, but RCA defended well, a strong penalty appeal was waved away as West surged forward. when they did get past the solid back four of RCA, Carmichael was there to pick up the pieces.

In the 70 minute Carmichael was brought into action charging out to meet Reid who was sent clear by McGlen, the shot by Reid struck Carmichael and spun tantalisingly wide of the far post.

Hughes, Davis and Callen all spurned chances to increase RCA lead as the game entered the final minutes and West threw players forward leaving gaps in their defence

In the final minute Callen thought he’d scored his second when he beat Beal to a high cross, but man of the match Pendlebury was once again on hand to clear of the line .

This victory makes little change to the league table but it does move us closer to the the other struggling teams.

It will have also restored confidence in the team and the belief that we can finish the season in a mid table spot. "The season starts here."

With Shildon's match off our next fixture will be at home to Penrith.

Captain John Jury attacks down the left in the first half of the match.

Saturday, 13 December 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: Brown (2)   Penrith: Coleman.

Please click here for photos from the match.

This match could not have gone ahead without the commitment of the Groundstaff at SRCA, they worked wonders in preparing the pitch and the only doubt in the referee's mind was an area of about 2 metres in the top corner. Once the players started warming up it softened and the game went ahead. Albeit 15 minutes late due to traffic problem encountered by Penrith's team bus.

RCA were once again forced to make changes with Wray, Wood and Charlton all unavailable. Richardson started in the centre of defence, Davis moved into the centre of midfield and Coe made a welcome return after injury to start on the right wing.

The game kicked off with RCA kicking down the slope and immediately looking to push forward but Penrith were well organised at the back and in the opening exchanges looked fairly comfortable.

The first real chance of the game came after 6 minutes when, makeshift centre forward, Preston picked the ball up on the left wing, looked up, and seeing Coe unmarked on the opposite wing, drilled a 40 yard pass into path of Coe who controlled the ball before driving in a ferocious shot which went inches over the bar.

Penrith's response was almost immediate, Hope sending a diagonal ball toward Simpson but he was fouled on the edge of the area. Coleman stepped up and fired in a low shot under the RCA defensive wall towards the bottom corner of the goal but Carmichael somehow manged to get a hand to the ball and turn it round the post for a corner.

It was end to end play with both teams pushing player forward looking for the elusive opening goal.

In the 20th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the left which was taken by Bythway, his floated cross was met by the unmarked Brown but he could only direct his header wide of the upright.

Five minutes later and RCA were awarded another freekick on the left when Callen was fouled, Armstrong took the kick, it was met by Callen who powered in a header which produced a fantastic save from Richardson in the Penrith goal.

Penrith came back at RCA and almost opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Colemen laid the ball off to Smith who thundered in a shot inches wide of the upright.  

As the game moved towrd half time the chances were few and far between as both teams looked to be cancelling each other out.

In the 44th minute a long ball forward by Davidson toward Coleman was well covered by Brown who played the ball away, however the referee spotted an infringement and cautions the RCA central defender. Penrith moved the ball a good 10 yards to the right before taking the kick which Coleman clipped well over the bar.  

The second half started well for RCA, Armstrong and Callen combined to set Hughes free on the left and when the striker burst into the box he was impeded by a Penrith defender and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Brown stepped up and blasted the ball into the bottom corner of the net  sending Richardson the wrong way.

Three minutes later and a ball into the box by Armstrong was chased down by Bythway and in committing to going for the ball he collided with the Penrith keeper who came off worse and was substituted.

Penrith started to mount attacks kicking down the slope and when Hope dribbled past three player the writing looked on the wall for an equaliser but his shot was brilliantly saved by Carmichael, turning the ball round the post for a corner.

Although the corner was cleared it fell invitingly for Wainwright who struck a low shot goalwards but Carmichael once again was on hand to make a great save.

Penrith got their equaliser through the second penalty of the game when Kelly sent a hopeful ball into the box toward Coleman he went to ground a was adjudged to have been fouled. Coleman blasted the ball low from the penalty spot and although Carmichael guessed right he dove over the ball.

RCA almost regained the lead 3 minutes later when a goalkick By Penrith's substitute Newton was collected by Davis who sent the ball quickly forward where Preston was able to flick the ball on to hughes who struck a cross shot which Newton got a hand to preventing it going into the net and the ball was cleared by Paul.

Within a minute RCA had retook the lead when Hughes picked up the ball from a throw in drifted past a Penrith defender who hauled him to the ground inside the penalty area. The third penalty of the game was despatched into the bottom corner of the box by Brown.

Penrith started to commit players forward in a effort to get an equaliser and it was only a massive performance from the RCA defence that kept them at bay. Carmichael pulled off a great save from a shot by Coleman and the rebound was cleared off the line by Jury.

RCA should have increased their lead in the 75 minute when a cross into the box by Jury was met by Coe but he fired across the face of the goal and inches wide of the goal.

Back down the other end and Carmichael was called into action again as Hope volleyed in a terrific shot which the RCA keeper turned round the post for a corner.

In the 80 minute Callen should have sealed the points for RCA when he found himself free in the box with only the keeper to beat, the ball seemed to stick in the mud and Davidson was able to recover and put in a clearing challenge.

Back came Penrith down the left with Wainwright, his cross into the box was headed away by Brown, the ball fell to Hope whose shot was deflected for a corner, in the goal mouth scramble that followed Jury managed to get in a great block to stop Simpson's shot and in doing so was injured.

In the final minutes RCA ran down the clock, taking the ball into the corners and taking the resulting corners / throw-ins short.

This was not a classic, but in the conditions and given the circumstances this was a great win and a much needed three point for RCA.

Some outstanding performances from Brown and Carmichael ably supported by every other RCA player. A battling team performance which deserved the points although Penrith supporters might not agree.

Next up is Consett on Tuesday.  

 

Clayton Davis looks to build an attack during the downpour in the second half of the match.

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Coe,  Consett: Gray, Mackay.

Please click here for photos from the match.

After Saturday's battling win against Penrith the RCA supporters were in good spirits for the journey to Consett.

One forced change saw Hughes (chest infection) replaced by Charlton who went to the centre of midfield, Davis moved to the right wing and Coe started up front with Preston.

This was to be another battling rearguard action by RCA but in the end Consett, on their second half performance alone, probably just deserved the points. There was no denying the commitment of the RCA players tonight witnessed by the number of goal line clearances and blocks made at crucial times in the match.

Small things cost us tonight, a) a lapse of concentration, not picking up the Consett substitute for the home team's first goal, b) a lack of discipline, why were both wingers on the right hand side of the pitch at the time of the sending off, and  c) a little naivity, in defending very deep after our first substitution was made these probably cost us all three points in this highly competitive Northern League match.

Both teams started slowly as they weighed up the opposition and it wasn’t until the 10 minute that there was any real goalmouth action. Carmichael throwing the ball out to Armstrong who played in Callen on the left, he found Charlton in space. He drove forward before slipping the ball to Preston inside the penalty area but he couldn’t get in a shot as Martindale came across to cover.

A minute later and Armstrong won the ball in midfield before playing the ball to Davis who set of on a mazy run before shooting, Madden blocked the shot which fell to Bythway who had his shot deflected for a corner. Poskett gathered the corner and sent a long ball forward, Jury headed the ball away from deep inside his own half and the ball was picked up by Sullivan who fired in a shot which forced a save from Carmichael.

Consett looked to play across the back and hit RCA with long diagonal balls, RCA looked comfortable in defending the long ball and were pressurising the home defenders when they had the ball.

Davis, who was causing problems down the right, almost opened the scoring in the 20 minute when he burst past two defenders before cutting inside and shooting but Poskett was able to smother the ball at the foot of the post.

In the 26 minute a move involving Armstrong, Callen and Bythway end with RCA winning a corner. Armstrong took the corner which was cleared by Martindale, Moore picked up the loose ball and ran up field before sending in a cross cum shot which beat Carmichael but Jury was on hand to clear off the line and away for a corner. The resulting corner was powerfully headed goalward by Martindale and again it was cleared off the line, this time by Bythway.

As the game became stretched and with both teams looking to attack at every opportunity chances were being created at both ends, Brown heading clear at one end and Madden blocking a shot at the other.

RCA’s pressure tactics paid off in the 34 minute when the Consett defence were caught in possession and Coe nipped in to intercept a pass before chipping Poskett from 20 yards out.

The home team pushed forward to try and get back in the game but RCA were resolute in defence and restricted them to only one shot in the last 10 minutes of the half, a freekick taken by Piecha was headed away by Brown, the loose ball was controlled by Smith who fired in a wickedly dipping ball which bounced just in front of Carmichael but he was able to hold onto the ball.

With half time came torrential rain.

Consett set out their stall in the second half, slick passing and moving the ball quickly in the conditions then shoot on sight.

In the first minute of the second half Moore played the ball forward to Sullivan who drove in a shot which took a deflection off Richardson but Carmichael was able to adjust his position and make the save.

Five minutes later and Sullivan won the ball 35 yards out before, unselfishly, passing the ball to Mackay inside the penalty area but, the usually clinical finisher fired high over the bar.

RCA were finding it hard to get to grips with the changing conditions with most of their attacks being stifled by the Consett defence outside of the penalty area.

On the hour mark Consett should have taken the lead and would have done but for some last ditch defending by the visitors. A ball into the box by Slocombe found Mackay unmarked, his volley was blocked by Jury but the ball fell to Sullivan who blasted the ball towards the top corner where Bythway was able to get a head to the ball and clear the danger.

Two minutes later and it was déjà vu as Slocombe found Sullivan, this time the striker's shot was cleared off the line by Jury.

Consett must have thought that their chance of an equaliser had gone, as in the 65 minute the same combination saw another shot blocked by Jury on the goal line.

I haven’t used the word Alamo for some years but this was becoming like a siege as Consett forged forward and RCA defended deeper and deeper.

Consett introduced Gray in the 73 minute and he had an immediate impact, picking up a loose ball after an RCA attack broke down, he was allowed to travel 20 yards before unleashing a terrific shot which flew past Carmichael and into the top corner of the net. 1- 1 after 75 minutes.

The game became very ill-tempered as time and again the referee stopped play for niggly little fouls this spilled over and became confrontational and resulted in the dismissal of both Slocome (Consett) and Davis (RCA).

As the game entered the last 5 minutes both sets of players looked leg weary and in needed a piece of luck to win the game, it came the way of Consett a long ball forward was chased down by Mackay but he looked to have lost the ball as his shot was blocked but the bouncing ball landed perfectly for the striker and he made no mistake with his second effort to make it 2-1.

This was yet another hard game in which we showed that we can compete. Defensively we don’t look to concede which is great trait to have, our mid-field work hard and have started to be creative and we continue to score goals.

We do need a little bit of luck in front of goal especially when we are on top in games.

However, take nothing away from Consett their second half display, where they adapted to the changing condition a lot better than we did, was very impressive.