Durham FA Avec Sunday Cup
9 November 2008
RCA The Barnes ensured a place in the Second Round Proper of the Durham FA Avec Sunday Cup - and exemption from the First Round Proper for next season - with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Harlepool WHTDSOB at Greyfields.
Kicking against a strong blustery wind, on a surprisingly good pitch given the overnight rain, RCA opened strongly and established a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes with Willie Crew continuing his recent good form with both goals. Complacency then set in and RCA became negligent with their passing and presented Hartlepool with some decent chances, which thankfully they did not capitalise on initially. The inevitable happened after 35 minutes when Hartlepool took advantage of slack play to reduce the deficit to give a half time score of 2-1 to RCA.
Hartlepool then had a great opportunity to equalise, but Chris Errington in the RCA goal kept them at bay. RCA then got their game back in some sort of shape. Paul Hartley struck a third goal, turning the defence and placing a curling left foot shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area in the inside right position. RCA then put on two subs to rest Teasdale and Metcalfe. Within another five minutes Willie Crew completed his hat trick when Errington released a long kick downfield that Andrew Gilbert contested. The ball ran for Willie to round the keeper to make it 4-1. Gilbert was then replaced by recent signing Gary McDonald who struck home number five five minutes before the end, to give a final scoreline of 5-1.
RCA now look forward to their difficult second round tie in the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup against a strong Dawdon CW outfit at Seaham Red Star's ground next Sunday, the 16 November, with a 1.00 PM KO. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Ten free entry tickets are available on a first come basis and will be available from Colin Wilson next Saturday at RCA's home game against Brandon.