Durham FA Avec Sunday Cup

31 August 2008

RCA The Barnes finally got their season of and running with a comfortable 4-1 victory over St Johns Chapel, in the Durham FA Avec Sunday Cup Preliminary Round tie.

RCA started strongly kicking down the slope and were rwarded for their dominance after 15 minutes when Willie Crew headed home after good work down the left from Teasdale and Surtees. St Johns then had a spell of possesion which brought about a couple of half chances and a strong appeal for a penalty when RCA keeper Errington went down at a forward's feet.

RCA then picked up the pace and should have added to their score but for some wastefull finishing and a couple of decent saves from the St Johns keeper, but eventually their pressure paid off with industrious midfielder Martin Metcalfe adding a second goal on 35 minutes.

HT 2 - 0

The second half started in similar vein and Metcalfe added a third goal for RCA on 55 minutes to effectively kill the tie, and enable manager Hartley to bring on his three subs.

St. Johns got a consolation goal on 80 minutes when a fiercely struck free kick took a slight deflection to leave keeper Errington stranded, but substitute Ross Hughes struck home from 10 yards minutes later to seal a thoroughly hard working victory and progrees to round 2.

Outstanding displays from Metcalfe, RCA's Phil Hall and Anthony Teasdale auger well for the coming weeks.

Sunderland Sunday League

Humbledon & Plains Farm GI FC 3 RCA The Barnes 2

14 September 2008

RCA The Barnes suffered an undeserved defeat by 3 goals to 2, at the hands of current league champions Humbledon & Plains Farm. The game, played in perfect conditions thankfully, was a closely fought contest with the first half being fairly even apart from one good save from RCA's stand in keeper Lee 'Zico' Austin. The only other chances were half chances which both defences coped with comfotably, until slack play in midfield by RCA resulted in the ball being played out to the Humbledon & Plains forward Gary Shields (an RCA player on Saturdays) who played a perfect ball across the face of goal to present Rob McClean with a free header to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The timing of the goal could not have been worse as half time was blown for straight away.

Worse was to follow within minutes of the restart as a defensive header was deflected to Rob McClean who mishit his attempted volley, which completely fooled the keeper and bobbled into the corner of the net to make it 2-0 to Humbledon & Plains.

RCA heads refused to be bowed though and they got back into the game with a tremendous 25 yard strike from Mark McLeod, which lifted the spirits. Better was to follow as Philip Hall threaded a ball through the inside left channel for Willie Crew to hold off a defender and round the keeper to make it 2-2.

The game was there for the taking now, but it was Humbledon & Plains who came up with the killer third goal with 15 mins left when Joe Holbourn challenged RCA defender Michael Curtis at the far post and both players got to the ball with headers, but the ball then richoched off Holbourn's shoulder and looped over a stranded keeper.

RCA then pressurised the Humbledon & Plains defence for the remaining time but could not get what would have been a deserved equaliser, despite creating a couple of half chances.

All in all a decent contest, which on another day could have been more positive, but congratulations to both sets of players for a sporting match.

Sunderland Sunday League

28 September 2008

RCA The Barnes went through to the Third Preliminary Round of the Durham FA Avec Sunday Cup with a comfortable (eventually) 3-0 victory over Durham Sunday League Premier Division Washington Arms at Glebe Welfare ground Washington.

RCA started slowly for the first 10 minutes and then got their passing game going. They should have gone in at half time with the tie won, but wastefull finishing combined with some good goalkeeping kept the score to 1-0 courtesy of a Willie Crew strike after 35 minutes.

RCA then completely dominated the game in the second half without ever producing the effective passing of the first, but still should have put the tie to bed with good chances being wasted by both Willie Crew and Paul Hartley, before substitute Andy Gilbert converted, benefiting from Matin Metcalfe's cut back and a goalkeeping error in the 85th minute. Willie Crew sealed a comprehensive victory in the last minute converting a Ross Hughes cross to give the final scoreline a touch of reality.

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.

Total Sport Challenge Trophy - First Round

Sunday, 12 October 2008

RCA The Barnes progressed to the Second Round of the Total Sport Challenge Trophy with a hard earned 2-1 victory against their previously undefeated 'derby' rivals Grangetown Florists.

The first half produced few chances for either side in what was a typically physical match up, with neither side willing to concede ground, RCA Northern League player, Lee Owens had the first chance for Grangetown, but put his effort wide of the post after a cut back from Peter Benson. Then Anthony Teasdale had a good effort well saved after being released by Willie Crew.

After 40 minutes however the deadlock was broken when RCA were awarded a free kick on the left hand corner of the Grangetown box and when the ball was delivered into the six yard box Paul Hartley got the final touch to give RCA the lead. As so often happen though, in tight matches, once a team score the other side always seem to strike back immediately, and this game was no exception, when just about straight from the kick off Grangetown's right back Keith Churchill surged forward well into the RCA half before releasing to the left wing and continued his run into the penalty area to receive the return ball and easily slot home to give a half time score of 1-1.

The second half saw half chances for both sides without ever producing a clear cut chance untill Willie Crew produced a clinical finish after receiving the ball with his back to goal in the inside left position. He turned the defender and sent a curling shot into the net via the far post to regain the lead for RCA.

Grangetown pressed for an equaliser and left gaps at the back which Anthony Teasdale should have exploited to put the tie to bed after being released again by Crew, but RCA comfortably held out to secure the win, which in the end they just about deserved, and now look forward to the visit of Liverpool Lee Jones F.C. next Sunday (19 October) for the first round tie in the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup, at Meadow Park - 2:00 PM KO.

FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup - First Round

Sunday 19 October 2008

RCA The Barnes stormed through to the Second Round of the National Sunday FA Cup with a resounding 4-0 victory over the previously unbeaten Liverpool outfit Lee Jones FC.

RCA started the match on the front foot, pressurised from the first minute and were rewarded for their positive start when Martin Metcalfe crossed into a crowded box where Gary Tyzack found space for a powerful header into the bottom left hand corner to give RCA a fifth minute lead. RCA continued in much the same vein with Paul Hartley and Matty Stevens bossing the midfield and creating good chances which were spurned by profligate finishing.

After 30 minutes Matty Stevens chased down a hopeful ball to the left edge of the goal line and sent a curling cross towards goal, which the goalkeeper and his defender conspired to make a mess of, resulting in the defender putting into his own goal to give RCA a 2-0 lead. RCA should have increased this lead before half time, but a couple of decent saves from Lee Jones's keeper kept the score to 2-0.

Lee Jones started the second half with the slope and the wind in their favour and RCA were expecting a tough time of it, but the next goal was going to be the important one and it was RCA who killed the tie when good work down the right hand side from Alan Surtees and Gary Tyzack released Willie Crew through the inside right channel; he then side stepped a defender and cooly slotted home to give RCA a 3-0 lead after 50 minutes.

Lee Jones then applied the first real presure on the home defence, but with Philly Hall and Micky Curtis both standing firm it came to nought, before the best move of the game, which started when RCA worked their way out of their right back corner flag position with quick incisive passing from Surtees and Tyzack. This resulted in Paul Hartley cleverly releasing Wille Crew through on goal and he easily rounded the keeper to slot home - 4-0 to RCA.

Lee Jones then had two players dismissed over the same incident, when their keeper brought down RCA's Martin Metcalfe, who had knocked the ball past him and was through on goal for what would have been RCA's fifth and was correctly shown the red card. A further player showed dissent at this decision and was given his second yellow.

RCA then played out the last 15 minutes avoiding any possible injuries and now look forward to the second round draw and next week's Durham County Sunday Cup match against South Moor Sports in Stanley.

Durham FA Sunday Cup

Sunday 26 October 2008

RCA The Barnes progressed to the first round proper of the Durham FA Sunday Cup with a scrappy 3-1 victory over South Moor Sports, at a windswept Stanley.

RCA were always in control of the match, without ever reaching the standards of the last few weeks and on a small, bobbly pitch with a strong wind, were made to struggle. Chances were missed in a disjointed first half before Martin Metcalfe pounced on a misplaced pass from a South Moor defender to drill a superb shot into the bottom left hand corner to give RCA a 1-0 half time lead.

Kicking with the wind in the second half, RCA effectively killed the tie within five minutes as Willie Crew continued his scoring form by slotting home goals two and three, to take his tally to 12 from only seven games). The match then became a bit edgy with South Moor putting in some iffy tackles and the referee not doing much about them. Ray Hartley the manager then decided to just get the game done with and used his three allowed substitutes to give Crew, Teasdale and skipper Curtis a rest and see out the remaining time. South Moor applied some pressure and were rewarded for their endeavours with a last minute penalty to give the scoreline 3-1 to RCA.

RCA now travel to Hartlepool WHTOSOB for a First Round Proper tie on Sunday, 9 November.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 2 November 2008

RCA The Barnes overcame Myers FC 2-0 in their third league fixture in a closely fought match at Meadow Park.

Kicking up the slope in the first half, RCA found Myers small nippy forwards a handful for the first 20 minutes and Myers probably should have capitalised, but for some resolute defending and good goalkeeping. RCA then slightly changed formation and started to create chances themselves with Mark Robinson hitting the crossbar and Willie Crew just failing to connect with another good cross from Mark Robinson, who was beginning to cause Myers problems down the left flank.

The best chance for RCA to take the lead was when Willie Crew got free in the inside right channel to force a good blocked save from Myers keeper Ryan Graham with the ball rebounding to an unmarked Andy Gilbert six yards out, but he headed over the bar when it looked easier to score and the half finished 0-0.

The second half saw Myers open strongly again with a good chance falling their way after 50 minutes. But from then on it was RCA who took control and with both wide men, Martin Metcalfe and Mark Robinson finding acres of space they began creating chances, but could not quite finish them off due to good defending and especially some excellent goalkeeping from Ryan Graham in the Myers goal. Eventually though, as the game entered the final ten minutes, RCA made the breakthrough when Martin Metcalfe broke into the box and avoided two desperate challenges only to be felled by the third, resulting in a penalty, which skipper Michael Curtis duly despatched to give RCA the lead.

The game then went end to end until in the final minute Myers were awarded a corner, from which they thought they had equalised when they claimed the ball had crossed the line prior to goalkeeper Chris Errington gathering. While they appealed in vain to the referee Errington released substitute Gary Tyzack down the right wing and he squared to the waiting Willie Crew in the box who slotted home to give a final score of 2-0 to RCA The Barnes, which over the ninety minutes they just about deserved, but credit to a spirited and commited Myers outfit which resuted in an entertaining game.

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.

FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup

16 November 2008 at Seaham Red Star

RCA The Barnes progressed into the last 32 of the National Sunday FA Cup competition with a hard fought and battling 2-1 victory over a very strong Dawdon CW team at Seaham Red Star's ground on Sunday.

The match took place in almost perfect conditions on an excellent playing surface. RCA started strongly keeping possession early on and gaining confidence. As the half progressed Dawdon began to gain more control and kept the ball whilst not creating any definite openings until RCA keeper Chris Errington had to save smartly from a long range effort. RCA central defenders Curtis and Hall were in excellent form and consistently snuffed out any half chances created by Dawdon, whilst being ably supported by full backs Surtees and Hughes.

After 30 minutes RCA started to get a bit more ball and a good move started down the right flank by Surtees was carried on by Willie Crew who passed the ball across the area to the far corner were Andy Gilbert laid it off for the late arriving Martin Metcalfe to control and strike a perfect low shot into the keeper's right hand corner giving him no chance of saving. 1-0 to RCA.

The rest of the first half ran its course with neither side being able to create any more worthwhile chances, to give a ht score of 1-0 to RCA.

Dawdon started the second half on the front foot and pressurised RCA from the off with the midfield of Metcalfe, Hartley, Teasdale and young Mark Robinson having to put in double shifts to compete with the increasingly dominant Dawdon. Chris Errington then produced another top drawer save after an hour, tipping over a powerfull close range header and again Curtis and Hall had to be at their best to keep the sprightly Dawdon forwards at bay. RCA were now restricted to playing on the break and with Robinson now pushed up front after the substitution of an injured Gilbert by Gary Tyzack, they kept Dawdon's back line on their toes whilst having the odd half chance. However with the increasing pressure the RCA defence were for once found wanting on 83 minutes when a long diagonal ball from right back cleared the right hand side of the RCA back line and Chapman took the ball down expertly on his chest to rifle in from 15 yards: an excellent goal.

RCA then sent on Matty Stevens for Teasdale. The home crowd were expecting Dawdon to carry on and no doubt get a winner, but that was forgetting the indomitable spirit of this young, committed RCA outfit who never know when to quit. On 87 minutes they broke through the inside right channel and top scorer Willie Crew advanced on goal only for the Dawdon keeper to make a good block. However the ball rebounded out to 25 yards from goal in a central position and 16 year old Mark Robinson became the match winner when he picked his spot and stroked the ball home into the top left hand corner of the net despite the efforts of Dawdon's last in line defender.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 23 November 2008

Sunday Secretary Ian Ferguson gives his take on defeat.

Blooming heck, I go away for a weekend and what happens? It all goes pear-shaped.

According to my independent reports, RCA got their noses bloodied by a much more committed and determined Siksworth Paragon on Sunday. RCA apparently forgot that their game is based around hard work and helping each other out, something which was sadly lacking on ths occasion.

Paragon made great efforts to get the match played and were rewarded with an emphatic victory, scoring after half an hour and then crucially increasing the score to 2-0 at half time with a penalty after 43 minutes.

RCA then came out slightly better after half time and clawed their way back into the match when Anthony Teasdale scored after 55 minutes, but RCA then sloppily conceded from a corner five minutes later. To make matters worse Phily Hall had to leave the field with a recurrence of his knee injury after 75 minutes - surgery awaiting in December and we hope he will be back fit by early new year - and with RCA committed to attack they conceded again after 85 minutes to make the final score 4-1 to Silksworth.

Time for a reality check, me thinks, before more difficult games coming up.

FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup - Third Round

Sunday 14 December 2008

RCA's run in the F.A. Carlsberg Sunday Cup came to an end with a dissappointing home defeat to Heywood Irish Centre (Huddersfield) by four goals to nil.

The pitch was passed playable by match referee Neil Sharp, but the surface was very wet and would no doubt cause problems for both sides. It was RCA who started the brighter with a Willie Crew header being cleared off the line after five mins and a couple of half chances which were comfotably dealt with by Heywood keeper Ashe. Heywood then began to get a grip and their midfield were winning all the important battles and releasing their extremely fast forwards. After a couple of scares, when centre forward Ashley Flynn latched on to quickly released passes only to be denied by resolute defending and goalkeeping, it was no real surprise when he was again released early to control and round home keeper Errington to slot home for the opener after 20 minutes. His partner in crime, Darren Hennighan, was put through not long after, but was forced wide by Errington and put his effort into the side netting.

It was becoming clear that RCA needed to get to half time only one goal down, so as to re-organise for the second half kicking with the slope, but their hopes were dashed after 35 minutes when, after clearing a corner, Heywood were given the ball back and a cross from the left eluded a static RCA defence and keeper to allow Adam Bell to head in from virtually on the line.

2-0 to Heywood at half time and they probably deserved if the truth be known.

RCA come out determinedly in the second half and pressurised for prolonged periods, but without ever producing the quality needed to breach a resolute Heywood back line. An unfortunate slip by home keeper Errington, whose feet just went from underneath him as he came out to collect a simple through ball under no pressure, presented Darren Hennighan with the simple task of walking the ball into the net and effectively kill the tie after 75 minutes.

RCA stuck to their task until the end but conceded a fourth when Ashley Flynn was again released through the inside right channel to finish with aplomb. Things went totally pear shaped when RCA's Phil Hall was shown an inexplicable red card near the end for something said to the referee.

Never mind though, in the end the best team won and we wish Heywood all the best for the further rounds in the competition, thank them for a sporting contest and hope they enjoyed our hospitality.

Bring it on for next year!!

Durham Avec County Sunday Cup - Second Round

Sunday 21 December 2008

1-0 down at half time, but controlled most of second half without much penetration and could not find a deserved equaliser.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 4 January 2009

RCA The Barnes got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory in a close fought encounter with Silksworth Paragon.

The match got the go-ahead from referee Gary Hargraves after long deliberation regarding the safety of the players on a half frosted surface, a decision which proved to be correct and credit must be given to both sets of players for producing such a good game on a suspect surface.

Silksworth Paragon started the brighter and kept the ball and control for the first 10 minutes, without ever troubling the RCA defence. RCA came on stronger as the half progressed and following fine interpassing in midfield Andy Place was released through the inside left channel. He drew the keeper and then unselfishly squared for Willie Crew to slot home easily after 20 minutes to give RCA the lead.

RCA continued to press down the slope and a fine cross from the left by Ross Hughes evaded the Paragon centre half. Willie Crew brought the ball down expertly on his chest and volleyed home left footed from 10 yards to extend the RCA lead to 2-0 after 35 minutes.

Defending against the slope in the second half RCA started brightly in a similar vein to Paragon in the first half and had a couple of half chances to kill the game off, but having failed to do so, Paragon then gained more and more control as the half progressed and created a number of opportunities, which were thwarted by some excellent goalkeeping from Chris Errington, ably assisted by resoloute defending from Alan Surtees and man of the match, 16 year old Liam Dunn, who took to playing left side of a back three like a duck to water.

As the final whistle approached it was becoming apparent that it was not going to be Paragon's day and RCA held out to record a welcome victory and get their season back on track after a dissappointing December.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 11 January 2009

RCA The Barnes had to make changes for their game against League leaders Redhouse CIU. With both Anthony Teasdale and Mark Robinson injured, manager Ray Hartley drafted in Ross Hughes and Matty Stevens into his midfield five and retained a back three of Surtees, Curtis and young Dunn with Crew and Place up front.

The game started with Redhouse on the front foot from the off with RCA struggling to get a hold of the ball and Stephen Lewis in Redhouse's midfield running the show. It was no surprise when his free kick was easily headed back across goal for Redhouse's centre half to tap home from close range to give them a 20th minute lead. This seemed to shake off the lethargy that RCA seemed to be carrying and slowly they came more into the game, despite having to re-organise when Alan Surtees had to come off shortly afterwards with a groin strain and Gary Tyzack coming on to go to right back in a re-shaped formation that saw Paul Hartley move to left back in a flat back four.

Mark McLeod started to see more of the ball in midfield and when Willie Crew was fed a through ball in the inside right channel, he held off strong Redhouse challenges to fire across the keeper into the far left corner to equalise for RCA after 35 minutes.

H-T: 1-1

RCA then had to defend against the strong wind in the second half and worked their socks off against a strong Redhouse offensive with keeper Chris Errington again showing why he is probably regarded as the best in the division with a string of fine saves. RCA where still a threat on the break and from one such when the ball broke to Martin 'Marni' Metcalfe, 25 yards out in a central position, he bought a ticket and rifled in an unstoppable shot to put RCA 2-1 ahead after 65 minutes.

Redhouse reacted by throwing on more offensive subs and pressed for an equaliser, but RCA defenders amnd keeper held firm. Indeed,they should have wrapped it all up when Andy Place fired over the bar when he should have done better and then Willie Crew broke free with only the keeper to beat, but was indicisive and allowed the keeper and a defender to block him out. As the final whistle was approaching Redhouse had one more chance from a free kick 25 yards out that was perfectly hit only for Chris Errington to fling himself to his right and palm away to keep the 2-1 lead intact and record an excellent victory for RCA.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 5 April 2009

RCA The Barnes crashed to a heavy defeat against a very strong Plains Farm by six goals to nil.

RCA were hit by withdrawals from the spine of their side when keeper Errington reported with a broken rib, centre half was Phil Hall missing at Wembley, midfield playmaker McLeod suffering a groin problem from Saturday's RCA game against Whickam and centre forward Andy Place going down with flu. Plains Farm had a full strength squad to call on, bar a goalkeeper, and fielded RCA centre half Paul Wardle between the sticks (to be honest they could have put a cardboard cutout there given the total lack of efforts on goal he had to field) and also included Wayne Henderson, Michael Coghlan and Gary Shields in their starting eleven.

RCA never got started and Plains Farm dominated from the off. They were quickly into their stride against a pitifull RCA who found themselves very quickly 4-0 down at half time with strikes from Anthony Holmes (2), Gary Shields (1) and David Anderson (1).

The second half was a cakewalk for Plains Farm and to be honest they could have scored at will if they had wanted to, but contented themselves to two further strikes, both from MOM Michael Coghlan, to give a final score of 6-0 to Plains Farm.

All in all, a very dissappointing effort from RCA, which showed up our lack of depth and quality within the squad, a position that will need addressing for next season.

Still a quarter final on Sunday, 12 April against Colonel Prior at Ryhope CW to come though and here's hoping that our performance then is stepped up by at least 100%.

Sunderland Sunday League

Tuesday 7 April 2009

RCA The Barnes' season continued its depressingly familiar downward spiral as they were completely humiliated by a slick Hastings outfit by sevn goals to one.

Without regular keeper Errington (busted ribs), Willie Crew (work) and resting Phil Hall and Mark McLeod ahead of their cup tie on Sunday coming, the players charged with representing the club fell way way short of acceptable standards. Stand in keeper Austin was left exposed time and time again as the overworked defence were left open on a regular basis by a midfield quartet of Hartley, Tyzack, Stevens and Metcalfe, who was the only one of the four who came out with any credit as he tried to do the other three's running for them. The front two of Place and Gilbert were totally ineffective (not surprising given the paucity of decent ball) whilst centre half and skipper Curtis had some excuse given this was his fifth game in six days. Of the other defenders both Alan Surtees and Liam Dunn performed manfully against wave after wave of Hastings attacks with no protection whatsoever from those in front of them.

Goals were scored on a regular basis throughout the 90 mins and only Martin Metcalfe's headed effort from McLeod's (on as a sub with 25 to go) free kick gave some relief.

All in all a pathetic effort which needs addressing or the whole season could fall away into complete humiliation.

Apologies for the negative aspect of this report, but this is the harsh reality of the situation and players and officials need to grasp the nettle and do something about it, quickly.

Hopefully we will be much much improved on Sunday coming in our last chance for honours against Colonel Prior at Ryhope CW, so if feel like risking it please come along and support, what we all hope will be a better performance.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 22 March 2009

RCA Barnes ran out comfortable 6-0 victors in their game against bottom club Redhouse WMC. Redhouse won the toss and elected to take advantage of a strong wind by kicking down the slope taking a grip on the match early on with RCA being unable to get their passing game going. However Redhouse failed to capitalise and RCA duly got their game together taking the lead on 25 minutes when Gary Tyzack broke down the right flank and drilled a shot-cum-cross from near the goal line which evaded the keeper. A defender then completely miskicked his attempted clearance - twice - and sliced into his own net. A second goal was not long in coming as Willie Crew got into the box and was clumsily brought down for a penalty, which was duly despatched by skipper Curtis.

H-T 2 - 0

The second half was completely dominated by RCA and they went on to score another four goals, all netted by the in-form Andrew Place - two good headers, an opportunist close range effort and a clean strike across the keeper) - to bring his tally to nine in the last four games.

The result means that RCA have secured their place in the Premier Division for next year with ten games still to play to go. We can look forward to the rest of the season and hopefully some Cup success. It also means we can now start building up our squad for next season and can offer a tremendous club set up, A1 facilities and the continued, appreciated, backing of the mother club & their oficials, to any new players who would like to join or continued improvement, not to mention our involvement in both County and National Cup competitions.

Kitchen Magic Cup First Round

Sunday 22 February 2009

RCA comfortably came through this tie against First Division opponents Washington 'F' Pit. Fielding a weakened team due to various circumstances and having to play right back Alan Surtees in goal - he volunteered and had an excellent match - RCA took a 2-0 lead into half time after kicking against a strong wind and up the slope, goals coming from the strike pairing of Willie Crew and Andy Place.

The second half took on the same pattern as the first with RCA extending their lead to 4-0 with further strikes by the said deadly duo, before Washington's spirited performance saw them pull a goal back after 70 minutes.

RCA then replied with a further two goals, again from the terrible twins, to give a final scoreline of 6-1, with both leading goalscorers, 23 goals now, Willie Crew and Andy Place grabbing a hat-trick each.

Sunderland Sunday League

Thursday 26 February 2009

RCA suffered a heavy, if somewhat flattering, defeat at the hands of the in form Florists side who look to be heading for a possible championship winning season. Florists led early on through Lee Owens, whose cross took a wicked deflection and looped over keeper Errington's head only for Anthony Teasdale to bring RCA level minutes later, getting on the end of a deep cross to volley home at the far post. Florists again took the lead when a long throw into the box was not dealt with by the RCA defense allowing Lee Owens to stab home from close range. However RCA clawed their way back when Willie Crew was released in the inside left channel to shhot home across the keeper into the far corner.

H-T 2-2

The second half started with RCA on the offensive and oly smart keeping from Florists' keeper stopped them falling behind, but a double wammy was soon to follow when Lee Owens was released through the inside right channel and, despite being a good two yards offside, was allowed to go on by the referee to round the keeper and fire home to complete his hat trick. Worse was to follow when the ball broke free in the box two minutes later and Florist centre forward Gareth Hill fired home to make it 4 - 2 to the aways side. Hill then found space to fire home a fifth and despite Gary McDonalds third for RCA, Gareth Hill completed his hat trick near the end with a far post header.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 1 March 2009

RCA were forced to field a weakened team, with veteran Paul Cooke having to make his first start at centre half and only one sub available. Despite this RCA started brightly, going in at half time with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Willie Crew strike after 25 mins.

The second half saw Redhouse kicking down the slope and exerting pressure without ever looking as if they would break RCA down, with the outstanding Phil Hall, playing just in front of a back three, not allowing anything to get to their nippy forwards. However Phil, just returned fron major knee surgery, suffered a dead leg with 15 minutes remaining and had to come off. This led to major re-organisation, which disrupted RCA for a while. Redhouse took advantage to score twice in a minute to take the lead 2-1. RCA tried in vain to respond, but just did not have the manpower or luck to grab what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Sunderland Sunday League

Thursday 5 March 2009

Nothing much to report on this 1-1 draw, but to say if ever the cliché 'a game of 2 halves' was applicable it concerned this encounter. Colonel Prior completely ran the first half and went in 1-0 up through a Steven Rocester strike after 25 minutes. However the second half was completely dominated by RCA and after Andy Place wasted a one-on-one, substiutue Phil Hall headed the equaliser five minutes from time to give both sides a deserved share of the points.

Kitchen Magic Cup - Second Round

Sunday 8 March 2009

Played on a horrible pitch at Hillview with a howling gale blowing from end to end RCA progressed to the Third Round of the Kitchen Magic Cup courtesy of three first half goals, kicking with the wind and slope, scored by Andy Place (2) and RCA's oustanding young defender Liam Dunn with a long range strike - his first of what we hope will be many. Catholic Club had equalised earlier but half time saw RCA with a 3-1 lead.

The second half was always going to be backs against the wall and thus it proved, but with skipper Curtis and young Dunn, ably assisted by Alan Surtees at the back and a battling display all the way from the forwards, RCA hung on for a 3 - 2 victory, with the only goal of the second half coming when a long range shot, after a corner had been cleared, took a wicked deflection off the pitch and reared up to decieve keeper Errington.

Sunderland Sunday League

Thursday 12 March 2009

RCA came out on top 3-1 in a very competitive match with first half strike from Martin Metcalfe, cancelled out with a deflected, headed OG from home skipper Curtis and further first half goals from a superb Ross Hughes free kick and a close range strike from Andy Place.

Kicking up the slope in the second half and against a blustery wind, RCA could have increased their lead several times but for competent keeping from SRM's keeper Brown. However SRM did have chances of their own and Alan Surtees produced two goal line clearances to enable RCA to secure a 3-1 victory.

Total Sport Challenge Trophy: Second Round

Sunday 15 March 2009

RCA The Barnes exited the Total Sport Challenge Trophy when having to field an under strength side due to a 'birthday weekend' and a 'christening', at the hands of SRM Hylton Castle, whom RCA had beaten the previous Thursday night.

RCA started as if they had never played together and found themselves deservedly 2-0 down after 20 minutes, the result of first an uncharacteristic defensive error from Liam Dunn and then woeful defending against a quick counter attack.

RCA then seemed to be shaken out of their complacency and after a tremendous first time strike by the in form Andy Place dragged them back into the tie they equalised when the same player stooped to head home a corner after 35 minutes.

HT: 2-2

The second half failed to produce much decent football, other than a competent save from Brown in the SRM goal from, again, Place, but shambolic defending again from the RCA defence from a corner resulted in the ball being toe poked home from eight yards, and an uphill battle resulted.

Throwing caution to the wind RCA pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded somewhat fortuitously when an SRM defender unluckily deflected a Ross Hughes low cross into his own net after 88 minutes.

RCA should then have won the tie when Andrew Gilbert escaped down the left wing and squared to Anthony Teasdale at the near post, but with nobody near him and the keeper stranded he failed to bring the ball under control and the chance was gone.

FT: 3-3

Extra time commenced with RCA the more likely side, but as is their way they again failed to cut out a hopeful long ball over the top and man of the match Barry Cook just beat keeper Errington to the ball to lob it goal wards, the two of them then colliding as Alan Surtees was in the process of hooking the ball from the line. A penalty was probably the correct decision given the collision, but the ref then compounded the decision by dismissing keeper Errington for 'preventing a goalscoring opportunity', when in fact the goal was very nearly scored (a booking would surely have sufficed and SRM players were of the same opinion). Alan Surtees took over in goal, but Barry Cook confidently despatched it to give SRM a 4-3 extra time HT lead.

The second period of extra time still saw RCA on top but the lack of the extra man proved too much despite one or two decent opportunities which were again wasted due to lack of ball control, so the game went to SRM 4-3, and good luck to them in the quarter final.

Disappointing given our best chance for silverware is in the cups, so we just have The Kitchen Magic Cup to focus on with an away draw to Colonel Prior coming up shortly.

Sunderland Sunday League

Thursday 26 March 2009

Grangetown Florists strengthened their championship challenge with a 3-1 victory over RCA Barnes on a blustery night.

Kicking with the wind and down the slope in the first half RCA were more than a match for their opponents and should have taken the lead on at least one occasion when in form striker Andy Place beat the offside trap, but then dragged his shot wide of the left hand post from inside the box. As so often happens RCA were made to pay just a minute before half time when a strong run down the right resulted in a deep cross that split RCA's two centre halves and was despatched by the head of Peter Benson.

H-T 0-1 to Florists

RCA were then caught completely cold from the restart as a long crossfield ball from wide left found Lee Owens in acres of space in the inside left channel (where were the RCA left side defence? Asleep, me thinks!) Owens duly smashed an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the left corner of the net. Uphill for RCA now, but credit they kept going and created a couple of half chances, but the game then turned against them again when a ball into the near post, from Florists left was met by a Florist forward, a RCA defender and the RCA keeper, all arriving at the same time, resulting in the ball going over the goal line, goal kick or corner was the only debate, but the referee decided a penalty was the decision, much to the amazement of both sides, and Florists duly scored.

RCA replied almost immediately when good work down the left wing from Willie Crew sent over a deep cross. Andy Place rose at the far post to float a header into the angle to make it 3-1 to Florists and still time to make a game of it. Florists decided to defend their lead and Willie Crew should have added a second for RCA minutes before time when Andy Gilberts shot was blocked by the keeper, but Willie headed over from directly in front of goal and only five yards out - hey ho, what might have been.

Florists saw out the remaining five minutes and now appear to be on course for their first championship since the heady days of the late eighties when they were the team to beat. And the best of luck to them.

Sunderland Sunday League

Sunday 29 March 2009

On a perfect morning for football RCA Barnes took on promoted Roker for the first time. The visitors started like a house on fire, taking the leadafter only two minutes with a cracking volley from Chapman. They continued to play good controlled football, passing, moving and keeping the ball, but ultimately not really penetrating or creating chances. They were also playing a dangerous offside game and were undone when Willie Crew was released in the inside left channel; he went on to beat the keeper comfortably to draw RCA level after 25 minutes. The game was now more even, with half chances at both ends, but Roker should have regained the lead just before half time when a midfielder broke into the box unchallenged to meet a free kick on the volley, but saw his effort strike the cross bar and cleared.

H-T 1-1

The second half continued in much the same vein untill Andy Place dispossessed a Roker defender in his own half and released Marni Metcalfe who cooly slotted home after 60 minutes. This seamed to deflate Roker's spirits and they were completely undone ten minutes later when Gary Tyzack ran strongly onto a through ball and was clumsily brought down from behind for a penalty, which the ever reliable skipper Curtis put away with aplomb. 3-1 to RCA now and Roker were visibly rocking. RCA then had numerous opportunities to add to their score as they totally dominated the final 15 minutes. But they settled for a 3-1 victory in the end and now look forward to getting as many points on the board as they can to try to secure a top 4 or 5 finish and there is still a cup quarter final to come against Colonel Prior at Ryhope CW on Sunday 12 April - some local support would be very much appreciated!

Sunderland Sunday League

Thursday 2 April 2009

RCA The Barnes completed a league double over SRM Hylton Castle with a 3-2 victory at the Billy Hardy Centre, Castletown.

RCA started slowly again and found themselves behind after 15 minutes when SRM scored a very unsportsmanlike goal after RCA keeper had kept out an effort that was followed up by a SRM forward resulting in both of them and an RCA defender ending up in a heap on the goal line, the ball having been hooked clear by the said defender. As the ball was half cleared the SRM forward then impeded keeper Errington from getting to his feet by deliberately kneeling on him, resulting in the keeper being injured and despite Errington lying on the ground, obviously in some pain, SRM proceded to regain possession and shoot home from 30 yards. The referee had followed the ball out and had apparently not seen the blatant impedement and so had to award the goal - not particularly sportsmanlike behaviour from SRM, but RCA had to accept it and carry on.

This incident only served to galvanise RCA and they then dominated the remainder of the half, having numerous half-decent opportunities to equalise, but could not quite find the killer ball.

H-T 1 - 0 to SRM

RCA came out of blocks at the start of the second half and equalised more or less from the kick off when Andy Place received the ball on the edge of the box to the right of goal, dropped a shoulder, lost his man and rifled a shot across the keeper into the far left corner: game on. Minutes later the same player found himself free in a similar position and repeated the dose with a similar finish, only this time high into the same corner. RCA were now well on top with playmaker McLeod dictating things from the centre of midfield and it was he who played a perfect ball down the inside right channel in the 70th minute to release leading scorer Willie Crew, who again shot across the keeper into the far left corner, a great finish from a great ball.

RCA then made three quickfire substitutions with Phill Hall (still not back to full fitness and needing to be treated gently), Mark McLeod (played on Tuesday night for RCA firsts) and Gary Tyzack making way for Martin Mowbray (just back in the fold after season long knee problems), Matty Stevens and the manager's youngest son Chris Hartley.

SRM, needing points for premiership survival, pushed on, but without really troubling the RCA defence, superbly marshalled by skipper Curtis alongside the ever dependable Surtees and the find of the season in young Liam Dunn - what a player he is going to be. However in the deepening gloom a speculative half hit shot from the edge of the box somehow found its way through and caught out everybody, including the keeper, who either could not see in the darkness or thought it was going wide, but it crept into the net to give a nervous last two mins, but RCA held out to record another fine comeback victory and keep themselves on course for their best league finish since the mid-90s.