RCA winger Michael Charlton in determined competition for the ball with Synthonia's ex-RCA man Tom Marron.

Saturday, 4 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goals Scoreres: SRCA: Larkin, Callen, Davis.  Synners: Sweet.

Please click here for photos from the match.

RCA travelled down the A19 to Billingham Synthonia's Motif8 Stadium for this all important Ebac Northern League fixture. With the two teams occupying 19th and 20th positions it promised to be a nail-biting affair.

The manager made only one change to the team that played so magnificently on Tuesday against Marske United with fit again Colin Larkin replacing Joseph Hughes.

Two players were making the 100 appearances today, Ross Preston for RCA and Steven Huggins for Billingham Synthonia.

In beautiful conditions, a far cry from the last two matches, RCA made a good start, an early freekick on the edge of the box was lined up by Bythway but uncharacteristically he fired over the bar.

Two minutes into the game and a long ball forward from ex-RCA player McNab was flicked on by by another ex-RCA player Marron into the path of Newby but he blazed the ball wide of the target.

A great flowing move by RCA exposed Synners, Wood and Megran combined on the right before wood played a wonderful ball through to Callen but Burke saved well to deny the opening goal. 

CA took the lead three minutes later when they were awarded a free kick just inside the Billingham half, Bythway took the kick sending it low to Larkin who controlled it turned and fired in a tremendous drive which gave Burke no chance as it rocketed into the top corner of the net.

Synners responded with an equaliser in the 17th minute, a cross field run by Hughes saw him drift past three defenders before passing the ball into the penalty area to Edwards who was fouled by Wood and the referee pointed to the spot. Sweet stepped up to power home to record his 34th goal of the season.

RCA looked to regroup after this setback and the game got a little tied down in midfield, in the 25th minute another flowing move from RCA saw Charlton pick up the ball on the left, play the ball to Jury who side footed it to Megran who tried to set up Wood but some excellent defending by Rowbotham blocked the wingers progress.

In RCA's next attack Callen was fouled, Bythway launched the kick into the box where it was met by Abel who headed it out but only as far as Charlton who set the ball up for Larkin but once again Rowbiotham was able to get in a block and the ball was cleared.

On the half hour Synners almost took the lead, RCA were caught in possession from a throw in and the ball was moved quickly to the other end of the pitch where Hughes picked up the ball before crossing into the path of Marron but he fired wide of the post. The same combination almost produced a goal, Hughes took a right wing corner which went to the far side of the box where Marron was waiting, luckily for RCA Richardson was able to get his body in the way to deflect the shot for another corner. 

After these two scares RCA produced two chances of their own, Wood on the right wing sent in a cross which forced Burke to tip onto the bar and the ball was scrambled away for a corner. Megran took a short corner to Charlton who drove it low into the box where Callen reacted before the Synners defence to get a touch on the ball which steered it into the bottom corner under the body of Burke.

The second half started fairly quietly, RCA were forced to make a substitution with Joe Hughes replacing the injured Charlton.

Almost immediately Joe Hughes was in action as he picked up a ball from Jury, burst past two defenders before forcing a fine save from Burke.

The home team responded from the keepers throw out to Bettson, he found Sweet who laid the ball off to Newby who fired in a dipping shot which went just over the bar.

In the 62nd minute, RCA increased their lead when J Hughes again raced into the opposition penalty area after receiving a return pass from Callen, he looked up and sent the ball across the face of goal to Davis who blasted the ball into the net from close range.

RCA where back in control of the game and reduced the synners attack to long range efforts, a corner was headed away by Bythway and fell to Huggins who missed the target from 25 yards out.

Within minute that man J Hughes was in the thick of the action again receiving a pass from Callen he turned and dribbled his way into a shooting position but Burke was able to make a comfortable save. Then a through ball from Jury found the speedy striker but once again Burke made the save to deny J Hughes.

Synners only real chance of the second half came when a ball into the box from K Hughes was flicked on by Edwards to Sweet but the Synners star striker could only watch as Carmichael tipped the ball wide for a corner.

The game looked to have run its course as neither team produced any real chances until the final minutes of the game, a Megran corner was sent to the far post where Davis met it with a sweet volley which bounced to safety off Burke's legs and in the final minute of the game Sweet played in K Hughes but he shot just past the post.

Another good display by the lads; under pressure to produce the goods they did not disappoint. this result almsot certainly means first division survival. Mathematically Synners can still catch us but they will need to win both their games against Penrith and Morpeth.

We need to get 1 point from our remaining 6 matches which, given our performances of late, should not be to difficult.

Next up on Tuesday, Ashington AFC at Meadow Park. 7.30pm kick off.

Tuesday, 7 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: None,  Ashington: Taylor (2), Stephenson, Williamson.

Injuries once again played a big part in the selection of the team to face Steve Harmiston's rejuvenated Ashington side. Wood and Larkin were both casualties of Saturday's match and were replaced by Hughes and Davis. Charlton passed a late fitness test on a calf injury.

Ashington started with the advantage of the slope in the first half and were soon on the attack. A ball from Downey found Johnson on the left and his driven cross was sliced clear for a corner by Brown. Ashington took the corner short and caused panic in the RCA defence but eventually the ball was cleared by Preston.

Ashington took the lead in the sixth minute after a foul on Johnson. Williamson took the freekick and whipped it into the six hard area where Taylor was on hand to deftly head past Carmichael.

RCA almost equalised immediately from the kick off, Megran sending the ball forward for Hughes who broke through two challenges before sliding the ball to Charlton who crossed to Callen, but Grant was able to make the save at the second attempt.

In the 10th minute Ashington were awarded a freekick in almost an identical position to the one that they scored from; again Williamson took the kick, this time Carmichael was able to punch clear but in the process was injured as Taylor and Bythway challenged for the same ball.

RCA looked to be weathering the storm to some extent and when Hughes was fouled on the edge of the box it gave them an opportunity to regroup. Bythway fired the ball into the wall and it was cleared, but only as far as Charlton who switched the play to the other side of the pitch where Jury picked up the ball before crossing into the box to Callen but he scuffed his shot and it fell into the open arms of Grant.

Back came Ashington, a long throw on the right was was headed down by Taykor into the path of  Loughborough who fired just past the post, the resulting goalkick was met by Harmiston who sent the ball forward down the left to Johnson who once again looked to have acres of space before crossing into the box where Taylor was unmarked at the far post to slot home to make it 2-0.

RCA tried to get back into the game and had a great chance in the 23rd minute. A Megran freekick found Davis free at the far post, he elected to pass inside to Callen who once again fired straight at Grant.

RCA's best chance of the half came on the half hour mark when Callen won the ball in the air, and Hughes pounced onto it, dribbled into the box before curling a shot toward the far post but Oliver was on hand to clear off the line.

In their best spell of the game RCA looked capable of getting back into the game, but when Hughes fired over when in a good position it seemed to re-ignite Ashington.

They poured forward in the final five minutes of the half, a long clearnce by Grant was flicked on by Taylor to Johnson who crossed to Stephenson but Preston was able to block the shot and clear.

The relief was short lived as Ashington made it 3 - 0 a minute later. Williamson picked up a cross field pass on the right wing before crossing into the box where Stephenson was on hand to blast home.

In the second half RCA struggled to get any advantage from the slope and although Davis almost broke down a the Ashington defence in the early exchanges the ball was forced away by Harmiston for a corner.

From the corner the ball was quickly sent forward to Williamson who chipped the ball over Carmichael and into the net to effectively kill the game off at 4-0.

Both teams made substitutions in an effort to freshen up the game, but it became a midfield  battle with few clear cut chances.

In the 75th minute RCA were awarded a freekick 30 yards out which was taken by Armstrong. Ashington elected not to form a wall and almost rued the decision as the RCA substitute hit a terrific shot which swerved viciously forcing a great save from Grant and the Ashingto defence cleared the ball.

In the final flurry of the half Bogie picked up the ball on the left, cut inside before thundering a shot against the near post, the ball came back to him and he inexplicably sent a pass into the centre of midfield where Loughborough picked it up and sent the ball forward to Johnson who looked certain to score, but substitute goalkeeper Morris was able to get a hand on the ball deflecting it wide of the far post.

It has to be said that Ashington have well and truly turned a corner, they are a different team to the one that we played only a few weeks ago, full of confidence going forward and solid at the back.

RCA on the other hand looked a little jaded and it is possible that the events of the weekend have caught up on them. Where we have shown a great competitive spirit and togetherness in recent games, that was missing tonight, and Ashington exploited our weaknesses to great effect.  

As another result went in our favour, i.e. Celtic Nation losing, we only need three points from out final five games to guarantee First Division survival.

It will not be an easy game on Saturday against an improving Crook Town team who have nothing to lose. There will also be injury worries over Carmichael, Callen, Wood, Larkin and Charlton,  five first team squad players.

Saturday, 11 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers:  SRCA: Hughes (2), Davis (2).  Crook: None.

RCA travelled to bottom team Crook Town for this crucial Northern League Division 1 relegation battle. Already relegated, Crook Town are in the process of a massive re-building exercise under the managership of Peter Mulcaster and ex-RCA defender Gary Anderson so would be looking to put up a good performance.

The RCA management had selection problems ahead of the match with regular first choice keeper Josh Carmichael declared unfit to play after sustaining a back, thigh and groin injury in the match against Ashington; his place was taken by Carl Morris. James Rowe came in for Kieran Megran and Colin Larkin returned from injury to replace Luke Richardson. The whole team was re-shuffled with Jury back in his familiar right back spot, Bythway moved to left back, and Brown switched into the centre of defence, Larkin would partner Hughes up front and Callen moved to a wider left position.

The game stared in bright sunshine, but a cold wind blowing across the pitch was causing problems for the players. RCA were quickly on the attack and grabbed an all important early lead to settle the nerves. A long punt up field from Morris was flicked on by Callen and Hughes shrugged off his marker before blasting the ball past Graham.

Crook didn't seem to have any answer to the pace of the RCA forwards and in their next attack Davis showed his marker a clean pair of heels before crossing in from the right into the path of Larkin, but the striker's clipped shot went into the side netting.

The home team were finding it difficult to move the ball into the visitors' half of the field, however they were almost gifted an opportunity when Brown miskicked a clearance and Morris had to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

In the 17th minute RCA almost doubled their lead when Rowe won the ball in midfiled and sent a beautiful ball forward to Hughes; he controlled the ball before laying it off for Larkin whose sidefooted shot beat Graham, but hit the post and was scrambled clear.

RCA where piling on the pressure and it was only a matter of time before they scored again. Rowe once again was the instigator, threading a pass out to Davis on the right, he beat his marker before crossing into the box where Hughes was on hand to slot home via the post giving Graham no chance.

Three minutes later and another forward pass from Rowe was picked up by Larkin who fired in a long range effort which Graham saved.

Crook's only threat seemed to come via Webster who looked to get the ball forward to Guthrie and Brown, but both forwards were well marked by the RCA defence.

The final 10 minutes of the half produced little in the way of goalmouth incident as RCA looked content with the 2 - 0 scoreline and Crook looked incapable of mustering a strong enough attack to worry the visitors.

The second half started much as the first half started, with RCA taking the game to Crook. An early freekick for RCA saw Bythway step up and fire the ball straight past the wall to Hughes who sidefooted the ball wide of the target when it looked easier to score.

RCA were almost left to rue this miss as Crook surged forward in their first attack of the second period. A crossfield ball from White found Brazaukas in space, but the Crook winger fired well over the bar.

The visitors went straight back up the other end from the goal kick. The ball was flicked on by Callen into the path of Hughes who deceived the Crook defence with some mesmorising quick feet before firing in a shot straight at Graham.

Within minutes the home team supporters must have thought that they had scored as Webster slipped the ball to Lough who cut inside before unleashing a powerful drive which looked to be heading into the bottom corner of the net until Morris, at full stretch, managed to get a hand to the ball and turn it round the post for a corner.

RCA countered this with a spell of possession, taking the sting out of Crook's attack and building up their own momentum.

In the 75th minute they went further ahead. When a cross into the box by Davis was headed away by Winter the ball fell to Coe whose shot was blocked and rebounded to Bythway who, from and acute angle, fired the ball across the face of goal, A Webster cleared the ball off the line, but Davis was on hand to blast the ball home from close range.

Crook tried to get something out of the game and in the 85th minute a freekick by Brown was headed inches wide of the upright by Winter.

RCA finished the scoring in the 88th minute, when Coe and Bythway combined to get the ball forward to Davis who, from the edge of the box, deftly chipped the ball over the home keeper and into the net.

The final results from other games filtered through and as both Billingham Synthonia and Celtic Nation lost it became apparent that RCA were set for another season in the first division.

This was not a classic game and the result was more important than the performance. When Martin and Gee took over the reins we could only pray that we would stay in the first division, to do it with four games still left to play is a testament to the management team and the players' resolve. There was always a belief that team spirit and endeavour would see the team through and so it proved.

We can now look forward to and plan for next season.

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Davis, Callen.   Whitley Bay: Kempster.

RCA welcomed Whitley Bay to Meadow Park for their re-arranged fixture. With both teams safe for another season there was a chance for the respective managers to look at their team with a view to next season.

RCA management team made only one change from the team who played so well at Crook Town, Bythway being replaced by Richardson at left back. This meant that Morris deservedly retained the number one Jersey after his clean sheet performance at Crook.

The home team took advantage of the slope in the first half but it was the visitors who struck first, a fast paced counter attack in the fourth minute saw the ball moved from Laws to Robinson, he switched the ball wide to Bird who crossed into the box where Kempster was on hand to head home from inside the six yard area.

Four minutes later and a Richardson freekick was headed back across the goal by Davis and Reid, the Bay centre half, forced a great save from his own keeper, McCafferty who tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.

Whitley Bay were starting to threaten through Bird and Robinson and in the 10th minute almost doubled their lead when Bird slipped the ball forward into the path of Watling but the Bay forward's shot was parried away by Morris who picked up the ball at the second attempt.

RCA responded with a flurry of attacks down the slope, Davis picking up a long ball side footed it into the path of Larkin but Laws was able to block and clear. Within a minute RCA were back on the attack this time it was Callen who controlled a pass from Richardson, before setting up Hughes but that man Laws was in the road again. In the next attack Hughes set up Callen who fired in a low shot which McCafferty saved.

With wind starting to play its part in the game the match became a midfield battle which nobody seemed able to win and the ball was rarely in either teams penalty area.

For all their possession RCA could not find the final ball which would unlock the Bay defence.

On the half hour, with the pattern of play established, RCA attack Whitley Bay defend, a great passing move between Jury and Larkin paved the way for Hughes to have a pop at goal, but his shot was well saved by McCafferty.

RCA continued to press but the Bay defence held firm, a freekick on the edge of the box was curled narrowly over the bar by Larkin and then, minutes later a freekick from the opposite of the area was controlled by Callen who spun and shot but Mccafferty was equal to the effort.

Whitley Bay looked to be playing for the half time whistle and the chance to attack down the slope, while RCA continued to look for the equaliser before the break.

The half finished with a near miss, Larkin picked up a quickly taken corner and whipped in a cross which Davis missed by inches as he flung himself forward in a effort to connect.

RCA started the second half as they finished the first, attacking up the slope they created a good chance in the 47th minute Hughes sprinted with the ball into space on the left before checking back and finding Davis on the edge of the box but his shot was easily cleared.

Bay with the advantage of the slope moved forward with more purpose in the second period and when Robinson slipped the ball through to Kempster he hit a terrific shot which Morris did brilliantly to fingertip over the bar. From the resulting corner the ball was driven straight to Laws who hit a first time effort low towards goal but Morris was on hand again, this time saving with his feet, the ball flying wide for another corner.

RCA were awarded a corner of their own two minutes later and Davis took the kick, it was met by Preston who headed past McCafferty, but the ball was headed off the line by Day.

The game was flowing from end to end and it was Whitley Bay who had the next real attack, Robinson burst through two tackles in midfield before squaring to the ball to Bird who set the ball up for Watling but the Bay striker fired wide of the target.

Then came the moment that the home fans had been waiting for, Rowe played the ball to Charlton who ran at the Bay defence before slipping the ball forward into the path of Davis who, cool as you like, slotted the ball home from 12 yards out.

At this point in the game RCA were playing probably their best football of the season, passing and moving, creating space and with that came chances, a good move between Davis and Larkin saw the ball past across to Charlton but Laws was able to block the shot.

Then Larkin set up Callen with a ball over the top but he shot wide of the goal.

With game heading towards the final few minutes RCA conjoured up another great passing move. Rowe won the ball in midfield, Megran picked up the loose ball, sprayed a great pass out to Davis who took the ball forward to towards the bye line before passing it back to Armstrong who fired in a shot cum cross and Callen nipped in to stab the ball home from close range.

The Bay were not finished and they poured forward looking for the equaliser in the final minutes of the game and it took two brilliant headers off the line by Jury to keep the RCA lead in tact.

With the final kick of the game Callen was fed the ball inside the area by Larkin and although he beat the keeper the ball rebounded off the inside of the post and the referee blew for full time.

All in all an entertaining match with RCA deservedly winning against a decent Whitley Bay outfit.

This might send out a strong message to the teams at the top of the league who we still have to play, we have nothing to lose now and are playing with that freedom which comes with confidence.

Next up a hard game against Consett at home.

Joseph Hughes in first half action.

Saturday, 18 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA: Hughes, Davis, Bogie. Consett: OG., Walker, Slocombe, Moore, Gray, Mackay.

Please click here for some match photos.

Consett were the visitors to Meadow Park for this EBAC Northern League clash and after the excellent performance against Whitley Bay on Tuesday, expectations were high.

The management team made a number of changes to the team. Richardson was brought in for Brown, Carmichael returned from injury to replace Morris (and probably wished he hadn’t) and Megran was a late replacement for Charlton who pulled up in the pre match warm-up.

Neither team had a lot to play for other than pride, but it did not stop them from serving up an entertaining game for the neutral.

RCA took advantage of the slope in the first half and in almost their first attack took the lead. Jury sent a ball forward to Callen who then passed to Davis who rounded the Longstaff and slotted into the net.

Consett responded with some good interplay between Smith and Nicholls to set up Gray but he fired high over the bar.

The home team looked to have doubled their lead in the 11th minute when Megran raced into the box to receive a pass from Callen but the assistant referee’s flag was up for offside.

With Consett a constant threat on the flanks RCA were finding it difficult to push forward as they were leaving space at the back which the Consett forwards were able to exploit.

However in the 22nd minute, after a spell of Consett pressure, the ball was pumped forward by Preston, skimmed off Madden's head and fell into the path of Hughes who made no mistake from inside the penalty area.

Consett although stunned by this continued to push forward with little success; a freekick from Nicholls was easily cleared by Preston.

Then the miss of the half as Gray skipped past the RCA defence before crossing to Sullivan who was unmarked inside the six yard area but somehow managed to side foot his shot wide.

Back came RCA and when Hughes was fouled 35 yards out RCA substitute Armstrong took the kick curling it to the near post where Davis got his head to the ball but it hit Madden and fell straight into the arms of Longstaff.

The half ended with a long range effort from Gray going wide of the target.

The second half started well for the visitors when they took full advantage of a contentious decision to award a freekick on the edge of the box. The freekick was whipped into the box where Preston headed the ball against Bythway and it deflected into the net to make the score 2-1.

Consett with their tails up looked to capitalise on this stroke of good fortune and pushed forward. Gray, who had been making positive runs all of the first half continued in the second and when he played the ball forward to Craggs it looked like the equaliser was on its way but the Consett forward fired high over the bar.

RCA having held on so far in the second half almost increased their lead when Megran played a great ball into Bogie who clipped a lovely ball into the Davis but his volley was magnificently saved by Longstaff.

The relief was short lived as Consett came back looking for the equaliser, Gray again crossing from the right caused panic in the RCA penalty area until Preston took charge and cleared the ball up field.

Minutes later and a run by Brown on the right wing ended with him squaring the ball to Nicholls but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

In the 62nd minute Consett equalised, again a little fortuitously, a corner from the right was taken short and the ball was fired into the area where Carmichael made a superb save but as the ball was cleared in the scramble that followed the ball struck Walker and rebounded into the net.

RCA tried to respond to this set back and Davis burst past two defenders before crossing to Armstrong but his header went inches over the bar.

Consett took the lead for the first time in the game with 65 minutes gone when a long ball out of defence was picked up by Sullivan who played the ball into Slocombe and he made no mistake from inside the area.

The visitors were well on top now and only a great save from Carmichael prevented them from extending their lead when Craggs volleyed a Sullivan cross goalwards.

However the relief was short lived as two minutes later Consett increased their lead, another Nicholls corner was headed clear but fell to Gray who turned and fired into the bottom corner of the net.

RCA were in disarray as Consett looked to pile forward at will and in this sort of form would be a match for any Northern League team.

Although RCA battled to get the ball it always seemed top fall to a Consett player and it was no surprise when, in the 85th minute, substitute Moore fired in their 5th.

This was followed by a brilliant piece of opportunism from Bogie, taking the kick off he notice the Consett keeper well off his line and decided to take a shot at goal, the gamble paid off as the ball looped over Longstaff’s outstretched hand and into the net to make it 5 – 3.

It was becoming hard to keep up with the game as both teams looked to get another goal before the final whistle and it was Consett who achieved this in the 92nd minute when a crossfild ball fell to Mackay and he volleyed the ball past Carmichael to make the final score RCA 3 Consett 6.

Not a day for defenders today, but what an entertaining game especially the second half if you were a Consett fan.

Injuries to key players caused major disruption to our plans today with Larkin limping off midway through the first half, Callen replaced at half time with an injury and Charlton pulling up before the kick off.

Hopefully we will have them back before Tuesday’s match against Shildon so the manager can select from a full squad.

RCA central defender Lee Bythway clears the ball in the second half of the match.

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

Goalscorers: SRCA:  Armstrong,  Shildon: Connor (2) OG. (2)

Please click here for some photos from the match.

Please click here for match photos by Amanda Scaife.

The selection problems continued for RCA ahead of this evening's important Northern League match, with work commitments and injuries giving the management team a bit of a headache. Carmichael was unavailable and Morris took his place between the sticks, Richardson was switched to right back and Armstrong came in on the left, Wood replaced the injured Davis and Charlton returned in place of the injured Larkin.

Prior to the match all the talk was about the decision of the League Management committee to take the Division One Trophy to Marske in the event that Marske won and Shildon lost. This added a bit of spice to the Shildon manager’s pre match talk to his players.

RCA’s biggest home crowd of the season, 220, greeted the players on a lovely, if slightly cold, spring evening.

The visitors took advantage of the slope in the first half but it was the hosts who created the first chance of the game Armstrong was played into space by Charlton and the young full back moved forward before hitting a shot from 25 yards out which flew over the bar.

Two minutes later and RCA were awarded a freekick 20 yards out, up stepped Armstrong to curl a shot inches over the bar. Shildon mounted their first real attack of the game in the sixth minute, Atkins picked up a loose ball on the right, sent the ball forward into the path of Grulich-Smith who sent drove a low shot past Morris, with the ball going towards goal Bythway tried to clear it but he only succeeded in striking the ball into his own goal.

RCA’s reaction was positive as they threw players forward looking for an equaliser, Jury fed the ball to Hughes inside the area and the diminutive striker earned a corner when his cross was blocked by Brackstone, Armstrong played it short to Charlton but his cross was blocked then cleared by Atkin.

Shildon increased their lead in the 15th minute when Emms played a long ball forward into the heart of the RCA’s defence where Morris and Bythway misjudged the ball and it fell to Connor who had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net.

Once again RCA responded positively attacking on the right flank through Charlton and Richardson, the latter sending a telling cross into the box where Callen met the ball well to power header towards goal but Graham produced a supurb one handed save to turn the ball round the post for a corner.

In the 27th minute, Shildon extended their lead in bizarre circumstances, a corner was swung toward the near post by Emms where Connor flicked a header on but Morris was able to get a hand to the ball to palm it over the bar for another corner. This time the ball was fired towards the back post where it rebounded off a defender before hitting the crossbar and Morris, under pressure, was unable to get enough on the ball and pushed it into his own goal.

Morris was called into action five minutes later when he produced a great one handed save from a terrific Greulich-Smith shot turning the ball behind for a corner.

At the other end a cross into the box from Callen fell invitingly to Wood on the edge of the box and he fired in a dipping shot which beat Graham but landed on the roof of the net.

Two good moves involving Charlton Hughes and Wood came to nothing as Shildon’s resolute defence repelled all that RCA could throw at them.

The second half kicked off with Shildon on the attack Emms crossing to Greulich-Smith who could not direct his header on target and the ball went harmlessly wide.

RCA came forward with purpose and the endeavours of Hughes and Charlton eventually won a corner. Armstrong swung the ball into the area where it was headed away by Jones, but fell to Callen who hit the ball on the volley forcing a supurb save from Graham.

In the 55th minute RCA had a good shout for a penalty when Charlton ran at the Shildon defence, skipped between two defenders before being blocked inside the area. The referee waved away appeals after appearing to initially raise the whistle to her lips.

The game was switching from end to end and it was Shildon’s turn to apply a bit of pressure, Emms on the left cut inside before unleashing a shot which Morris was able to turn round the post for a corner. Emms took the corner, curling it onto the head of Greulich-Smith who headed over the bar. Five minutes later and a connor cross feel to Emms inside the area but he fired over the bar when in a good position.

Emms was causing major problems to the RCA defence, and when he sent in yet another dangerous cross the ball fell to Greulich-Smith but from inside the six yard box the tall forwards header was blocked on the line by Bythway and scramble away.

Shildon killed off the game in their next attack when Greulich-Smith popped up on the left wing to send in a cross which eluded everyone until it reached Connor at the back post where he had the easiest of tasks to slot into an empty net. Probably the simplest two goals he has scored all season.

There was still 25 minutes of the match remaining so when Charlton raced through the centre of midfield with the ball, riding one tackle, before unleashing a tremendous drive from 25 yards which left Graham rooted to the spot before striking the bar and rebounding to safety, it gave RCA some hope.

The home side pushed forward in an effort to get something for their efforts, Hughes had a good shot saved by Graham after a good run and cross from Callen. Then Wood raced out wide before cutting the ball back for Callen but his effort was blocked by Jones.

In the 75th minute Armstrong won a corner on the left and curled it into the Shildon area but Atkin headed clear, the ball was picked up by Emms who raced from his own half before cutting in and sending a curling effort which was saved by Carl Morris.

RCA were still looking to get something from the game as it entered it final 10 minutes, they brought Smith on for Hughes and moved Preston up front and within a minute Callen and Preston combined for Charlton to shoot, the shot was deflected away for a corner. Megran took the corner which was headed behind for another corner, this time the corner was taken Charlton and was met at the near post by Armstrong whose glancing header beat Graham and gave RCA the goal their play deserved.

The home team throwing caution to the wind once again moved forward and were awarded a freekick after a foul on Wood, Bythway curled the freekick into the penalty area and any touch by an RCA player would certainly have made it 4-2 but Graham was able to come and collect fairly comfortably.

The game was almost over when Greulich-Smith sent in a low cross which Morris saved at the feet of Emms.

The parting shot of the game was a freekick taken by Callen which sailed over the bar.

RCA did not play badly tonight, they just met a Shildon team who are looking to win their remaining games, which would see them lift the first division title, and who were focused on getting the three points from tonights game.

Our “Own goal” tally for the season had now reached 11 which must be some sort of record. It does however show the commitment of the players in trying to defend from deep positions.

Next up the “FA Vase” finalists North Shields on Saturday.

Saturday, 25 April 2015

EBAC Northern League Division 1

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

Please click here for North Shields FC TV highlights of the match.

RCA welcomed FA Vase finalists North Shields to Meadow Park for the final game of the 2014 - 15 season and what a season it has been, two points after 10 games, a change of manager and 45 points from the remaining 32 games which bodes well for the future of this relatively young team.

For this match the management team brought back Carmichael in goal to replace Morris and Larkin returned after missing the last two matches through injury to replace RCA's leading goalscorer Hughes.

The match started brilliantly for RCA who showed their intent to compete for every ball from the off. They took the lead in the 3rd minute when a long ball from Davis looked to be overhit. Morton came to collect on the edge of the box but, under pressure from Larkin he fumbled the ball and Larkin was able to stab the ball into an empty net.

Within a minute it could have been 2-0 when Armstrong played a great ball into space and Callen latched onto the ball before cutting it back to Rowe who shot inches wide of the upright.

The "Robins" first real attack saw Lancaster pick up a loose ball on the half way line before setting off on an unopposed run until Preston intervened on the edge of the box, dispossesing the full back before he could get in a shot.

In the 12th minute, Davis burst forward before unleashing a terrific shot which struck Coppen in the face, the rebound came back to Davis who headed the ball into the path of Charlton, he cut inside the area before shooting wide of the far post.

Three minutes later and Morton made a mess of  clearing a simple back pass on the edge of the area, the ballwent straight to Charlton who chipped the ball over the keeper, but it hit the foot of the post and rebounded into the arms of Morton.

A minute later and Holmes played in Carr from the right touchline, he slipped the ball forward to Forster who curled a delightful looking shot just wide of the RCA goal.

North Shields were being well held by the persistence of RCA who were willing to chase down every ball, there were no lost causes out on the pitch and the frustration of the Shields' players was evident in the amount of freekicks they were giving away.

RCA extended their lead in the 26th minute when Jury won a header in the centre of midfield and Callen picked up the ball, drove forward to the edge of the box before slipping the ball to Wood inside the area he played the ball past Elliott but the Shields defender's rash challenge up-end the RCA player and a penalty was awarded. Larkin stepped up and cooly slotted the ball home sending the keeper the wrong way.

Although they were kicking up the slope it was RCA who were having the best chances of the game and it was only some brilliant defending by Shields' defence and in particular the captain Kevin Hughes that kept the scoreline down.

However, a rampant RCA went further ahead in the 34th minute when Armstrong prevented the ball from going out for a throw in before delivering a beautifully weighted cross into the opposition's penalty area where Larkin rose magnificently to head home past the despairing dive of Morton.

It could have been worse for the "Robins" just before half time when once again they were guilty of overplaying at the back and Callen was able to nip in before hitting a shot which was blocked by Hughes..

As expected Shields came out for the second half with all guns blazing and in the opening minute Morris raced clear of the RCA defence but his shot cum cross was half blocked by Preston and went right across the face of goal and out for a corner.  The resulting corner was met by Bainbridge but his header was blocked by Armstrong, the ball rebounded to Bainbridge who fired in a shot which Carmichael got a hand to, deflecting it onto the bar and Carr could only manage to prod the ball over the bar from inside the six yard area.

Having weathered the early storm from North Shields, RCA started to play some good passing football while North Shields resorted to a long ball game which really didn't suit them and RCA's defence was well capable of dealing with.

For long periods in the second half the game became scrappy as both teams were guilty of misplaced passes, Larkin almost made it 4-0 when ahe pounced on a slip by Forster, sprinted forward, stepped inside the last defender before shooting, but this time Morton produced a brilliant one handed save to deny the RCA striker.

In the 75th minute Larkin was once again in the thick of the action as he picked up a through ball from Wood before shooting low, Hughes blocked the shot and Morton was able to save at the feet of the advancing Rowe.

At the other end two minutes later and Richardson crossed into the box where Forster met the ball with a deft header which found its way to the far post where Holmes had ghosted in but he could only direst his shot high over the bar.

As the game entered the final five minutes Larkin produced another fine save from Morton, when he headed a cross from Charlton goalward and the Shields keeper saved at the second attempt.

In the final minute of the game Shields almost got a consolation goal when Holmes broke clear of the RCA defence before firing narrowly wide of the upright.

The final whistle blew to end a long hard season, but we ended on a massive high. The performance in the first half was outstanding with everyone contributing to a great game. Without over extending ourselves in the second half we still created the better chances.

Some would say that this was not a full strength North Shields team, I would say that you can only play the 11 men on the pitch. Certainly their manager wasn't very happy for most of the game.

Roll on next season, as we always say "the hard work starts now."