Sunderland Sunday League
5 October 2008
An understrength (due to Great North Run) RCA The Barnes comfortably got their League season off and running with a 6-1 defeat over Redhouse WMC.
RCA were missing several key players due to their involvement in the Great North Run and had to draft in the ever dependable veteran Joe Clark - 47 years young) at centre half. The first half was fairly scrappy, but RCA turned the game their way with two goals in the final 5 minutes of the half through Andy Gilbert and Willie Crew.
The result was virtually decided within ten minutes of the second half when further goals from Anthony Teasdale and Willie Crew saw RCA 4-0 up. Credit to Redhouse who didn't let their heads drop, but were unable to stem the tide as RCA grew in confidence with Mark McLeod running the show from midfield and he was rewarded for his outstanding performance when he finished of a fine passing move with a cool finish from six yards. Willie Crew then completed his hat trick and maybe should have added to that, before Redhouse were rewarded for their endevours with a late consolation from Steve Jones, to leave a final scoreline of 6-1 to RCA.