Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Durham Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Goalscorers: Spenny: Fisher (2), Capper. SRCA: None

Please click here for match photos by @DJNelsonPhotos - David Nelson.

RCA's team selection for tonight's re-scheduled Durham Challenge Cup, was somewhat hampered by the suspension of three players, another five were cup-tied and two were on holiday. The loss of home advantage due to the continuing drainage problems didn't help with team morale.

However there was a place in the team for Chris Armstrong who, along with Paul Weldon were making their RCA debuts in a 4-5-1 formation.

Spennymoor's team looked strong on paper with a mixture of first team, reserves and youth team players on display.

The home team took advantage of the slope in the first half and were soon on the attack a shot from Peacock flying over the bar after three minutes.

Both teams looked to keep the ball on the floor and pass to feet. Spennymoor looked the more accompished at this and they retained possession a lot better than RCA.

In the 10th minute a good move down the left saw Capper feed the ball to Stephenson who fired in a low shot which went narrowly wide.

Spennymoor took the lead in the 10th minute when a marauding attack down the left saw Mason play the ball to Capper, his run was stopped by Jury but the ball fell to Fisher who drifted across the box before dispatching the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

It got worse for RCA five minutes later when another left wing attack was stopped at the expense of a freekick on the edge of the penalty area, Capper stepped up and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net with Carmichael rooted to the spot.

RCA tried to shrug this set back off as they looked to get back into the game. However, all there efforts came to nought as Moor's defence held them at bay.

On the half hour after a spell of possession football Spennymoor were awarded a corner, the kick was taken by Peacock who swung the ball to Clarke who shot from long range and Carmichael was able to save fairly easily.

As the half progressed RCA started to become more adventurous, a ball out of defence by Bythway was picked up by Hughes, he found Callen on the left, the RCA winger cut inside before shooting but his shot was blocked by Tait, the loose ball fell to James Armstrong who fired over the bar from 25 yards.

The second half saw RCA pushing forward, a change of tactics to a 4-4-2 formation meant the introduction of Wray up front to partner Hughes.

In the opening minute Chris Armstrong sent a long ball forward which was headed down by Wray into the path of Callen who fired over the bar.    

The early second half pressure continued with Hughes having an effort wide and Jury hitting the side netting.

Spennymoor looked content to soak up the pressure and hit RCA on the counter attack and they were creating chances when they moved forward. Fisher and McReady were both on target with shots but RCA defence seemed able to cope.

At the other end it was a matter of a lot of pressure, but no real cutting edge up front.

In the 68th minute an uncharacteristic mistake by RCA captain Jury, whose mishit a back pass to Carmichael allowed Fisher to nip in, round the keeper and slot the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Effectively this killed off the game and although RCA tried for a consolation goal the nearest they got was a late effort from Wray which forced a good save from Atkinson.

All in all this was a comfortable win for the home team, RCA, with so many missing showed a lot of character, endeavour and commitment but that was not enough against a well organised and disciplined side like Spennymoor.

Left back Paul Weldon in first half action for RCA.

Saturday, 10 January 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA:  OG,   Durham: Carr, Davis, Fryatt, Noble, Hope.

Please click here for photos from the match.

With the Meadow Park pitch still under water this fixture was swapped to take place at Washington FC's Ground at the Nissan Sports and Social club complex. A massive thank you to the management at the Sports complex for their excellent hospitality on the day. It was a pity that the second half display fell short of expectations.

RCA gave a (home) debut to Kieran Megran in a much changed team from the one which crashed out of the Durham Challenge Cup at Spennymoor on Tuesday. In came Bogie, Charlton, Brown and Morris as well as Megran.

Durham took advantage of the strong wind blowing straight down the pitch in the first half. 

Although the wind was threatening to spoil the game both teams seemed to adapt very quickly and looked to play short crisp passes along the ground.

It was RCA who created the first real opening when Callen and Weldon combined on the left before switching the ball inside to Charlton but the RCA midfielder fired wide from 18 yards out.

Durham reacted almost immediately, Reece Noble playing a long ball out of defence for Fryatt to chase, the ball was cleared by Brown but fell to Davis who powered in a long range effort which flew well wide.

In the 18th minute Armstrong picked up a pass from Megran and fed the ball forward to Bogie who looked to have beaten Wilkinson to the ball but the ex RCA defender managed to clear Bogie's shot for a corner.

Durham were starting to find it difficult to string two passes together at this point and RCA looked to be creating the bettre opportunities.

A good run a cross fron RCA captain Jury saw him cross into the box where Callen, unmarked met the ball and volleyed first time straight over the bar.

On the half hour RCA should have gone ahead when a great passing move, which saw in excess of twenty passes, ended with a Armstrong slipping past the last defender before crossing into the box for Bogie who headed straight at Harkess. A foot either side and it would have been a certain goal.

Durham came back at RCA, a run and cross by Fryatt saw Haley shoot and Brown had to be at his best to block the shot.

The game was opening up now as both teams looked to open the scoring Callen had a great chance after some good work by Bogie but fired over from the edge of the box.

Deep into injury time in the first half Durham were awarded a dubious freekick on the edge of the box, Up stepped Carr, his curling shot struck the wall and looped over the outstretched hand of Morris.

I doubt if anyone in the ground at half time could have predicted the final result of this match.

RCA started well at the beginning of the half but found the wind at their back was causing them to over hit forward passes and time and again the ball ran out of play.

In the 50th minute Fryatt broke cleear and fired over the bar, this should have been a wake up call for RCA but what was to follow proved that they had not heeded the warning.

RCA were awarded a freekick in the 62nd minute. The kick was intercepted by Haley, switched to Fryatt who once again burst into the RCA half before passing to Davis who blasted the ball home past Morris to make it 2-0.

The home team continued to press forward and three minutes later were awarded a corner after some good work by Megran a nd Armstrong. Unfortunately the Corner kick was cleared to Haley whose quick thinking sent the ball to Davis, he broke free of the RCA defence before crossing into the path of Fryatt who volleyed home from close range.

In the 80th minute Ryan Noble fired the fourth from 25 yards.

RCA did get a consolation gola when Armstrong's corner was punched into his own goal by Harkess.

Armstrong almost made it 4-2 a minute later as he apicked up a pass from Megran, slipped past a defender before thundering in a terrific shot which skimmed the post.

However it was Durham who finished the game on a high as substitute Hope grabbed the fifth after another good passing move from the City outfit.

Lessons need to be learnt from this game especially how to defend when we are attacking. We have been susceptible to counter attacking teams all season. While our efforts in front of goal seem to be rushed when a little composure is required.

Saturday, 17 January 2015

Friendly

Goalscorers: Larkin (3),  Wood, Brown, Bythway, Bogie.

Richmond Town called off their game with Cleator Moor on Friday night as their pitch was waterlogged. A Friendly was hastily arranged between the managers of Richmond and RCA and the game took place on the 4g pitch at Conyers School in Yarm.

It gave the manager a chance to look at some fringe player while also giving match time to the full squad.

The match gave new signing Colin Larkin a chance to show us what he can do, he didn't disappoint as he scored a first half hattrick inside the first 30 minutes, Lewis Wood, recently returned from Australia,  completed the first half scoring, slotting home after Bogie forced a good save from the Richmond keeper.

Wholesale changes were made at half time, there was also a change of system to a 3-5-2 formation (not a favorite of mine but that is what friendlies are for.)

The scoring continued when Larkin was brought down by the Richmond keeper inside the penalty area, Brown stepped up to convert the penalty blasting in after the keeper saved the initial spot kick.

Bythway was the next on the scoresheet with a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area direct from a Megran corner.

Richmond then got their just rewards for a lot of second half effort when they scored two goals in as many minutes as the RCA management team made changes in the personnel and the formation again.

Bogie completed the scoring with a well taken goal late in the game.

A number of players will have impressed the manager today, James Rowe never wasted a ball all game, Colin Larkin impressed up front combining effectively with Stephen Bogie and Kieran Megran looked very comfortable on the ball.

The manager must have been impressed with the overall performance as RCA dominated from the off and controlled the game, If they had taken all their chances it could have been 12 or 13. 

Get in! Ross Preston heads home the first of his two goals at Heritage Park.

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscoreres: SRCA: Preston (2),   Bishops: Butler.

Please click here for match photos.

On a perishingly cold night at Heritage Park the travelling fans went home with a glow in their hearts as RCA out played their rivals, coming from a goal down at half time to win fairly comfortably in the end, the score could have been 4 or 5  to 1 had RCA taken their chances.

The management team had a full squad and more to choose from for this important EBAC Northern League fixture, rearranged several times due to cup ties and the weather it was a relief to both teams to have the game on.

RCA introduced James Rowe into the centre of the park for his first start for the team, Ross Preston linked up with another debutant, Colin Larkin and Kieran Megran started against his old club.

RCA started well kicking against the wind and were quickly into their passing game, as early as the 3 minute Megran found Charlton in space on the right, his cross fell to Preston who crossed back into the box for Weldon who set up Rowe but his fierce drive was always going wide of the target.

This spurred Bishops into action and a through ball from Hotchkiss was picked up by Johnson who raced into the box before shooting low towards goal but Carmichael got down well to smother the ball.

RCA were looking to pass the ball at every opportunity while Bishops were counter attacking with some pace. However it was both defences who looked on top in the early stages of the encounter.

In the 15 minute Larkin almost broke the deadlock when a through ball from Rowe split the Bishops defence, Larkin took the ball on his chest and although he was being pulled back he managed to get a shot on target, beating Jobling but the ball was cleared off the line by Mitchell. appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee.

RCA were using the wingers to great effect as the first half progressed and were unfortunate on a number of occassions when crosses were missed or over hit.

In the 24 minute a good run by Weldon was spotted by Megran and he played the ball out to the left, the young full back sent in a wicked cross which fell to Charlton but he couldn't control it and it went behind for a goal kick.

Bishops, having withstood this RCA pressure started to produce some forward moves of their own, A ball out of defence by Poole was chested into the path of Thompson but the ex-RCA player fired high and wide from 35 yards out.

Within minutes Bishops were on the attack again this time it was Butler linking up with Hotchkiss to find space for the Bishops midfield to get in a shot which went narrowly over the bar.

RCA came back through Charlton, he played the ball inside to Megran whose return sent Charlton clear on the right, his cross was headed away by Mitchell with Preston in close attendance, the clearance fell to Hotchkiss who set off on a run but was fouled Charlton.

The resultant freekick was sent into the box by Hotchkiss and Butler, at the far post was able to head home unchallenged. RCA 1-0 down against the run of play and thats how it stayed until half time.

The crowd had hardly settled back into their seats before RCA were level. Awarded a freekick on the left Armstrong took the kick and floated it to the far post where Preston was on hand to head home. Almost a carbon copy of the Bishop goal.

RCA had responded brilliantly to the late first half shock and now were looking to capitalise on the early goal in the second half.

A throw in on the right was picked up by Larkin who played in Charlton but his shot was blocked by Irving at the expense of a corner.

It was one way traffic at the moment with RCA pushing forward and Bishop's on the back foot. Armstrong and Rowe combined to set Megran up but his shot was blocked, the ball fell to Larkin on the edge of the box but he was unable to get in a shot as the Bishop defenders closed him down,

Five minutes later and RCA took the lead, Weldon picked the ball up from Carmichael, played it inside to Megran who found Armstrong on the left, he sent in a measured cross which was well met by Preston and the RCA forward powered home a great header.

Not content with this RCA went looking for the goal that would kill the game off, Larkin picked up another throw in from the right, this time he beat two defenders before pulling the ball back into the path of Megran who fired in a low drive which was blocked by Poole.

Bishops huffed and puffed but in the final third they were found wanting as time and again the final ball eluded them and they became very frustrated and a number of heavy, late challenges were punished with Yellow cards.

RCA should have extended their lead in the 75th minute when a through ball from Armstrong was met by Preston but his shot was well saved by Jobling.

As the game wore on substitutes were made and in the 83rd minute RCA's substitute Callen had a glorious chance to put the game beyond doubt when Jobling made a hash of a clearance and the ball fell to Callen but with an open goal at his mercy he fired the ball wide of the target.

This miss infused some life into the Bishop team and they pushed forward as the game entered injury time, however RCA looked to deal with everything fairly comfortably to see out the final 5 minutes.

This was a well deserved victory with everyone contributing to a fantastic performance, the Bishop supporter who said that RCA only looked good because Bishop were so poor, did his team and RCA a massive disservice.

There is much to like about this team now, we have a blend of youth and experience which bodes well for the future so long as we can retain this squad.

Next up weather permitting Newton Aycliffe away on Saturday.