Pre-season friendly
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Sunderland RCA travelled to First Division Washington continuing their hard pre-season fixture schedule. Manager Steve Smith went with a 3-5-2 formation following on from their excellent second half performance against Seaham Red Star on Saturday.
The side saw a few changes in the line up with Paul Moss returning, Dave Hills playing as a trialist, Dean Goodwin making his debut and Flash starting up front after returning from injury. Also in the squad was defender Steve Williams, another defender playing on trial after being recommended by Kev Dixon. With Deano excellent throughout the 90 minutes, Dave calm and talkative at the back and Steve performing admirably after his introduction at half time, another great deal of plusses can be taken from the game.
Washington lined up with the prolific and vastly experienced pairing of John Milner and Willie Moat up front, but barring one or two half chances our back three performed really well. RCA attacked at every opportunity and had good chances with Butler and Hembrough in particular, but a free flowing and competitive game reached half time at 0-0.
In the second half RCA continued to get the ball down and play some swift and good football. Flash had a header well saved, then what looked a certain goal hacked off the line, but not to be stopped he fired in a great header on 75 mins after getting across the front of the defender to give the visitors a deserved lead. Play continued at a good pace, with both sides still looking to attack and Washington had a goal disallowed for offside when a shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the post to be headed in, only for the forward to be flagged offside. In the last ten minutes, Butler and Matthews went close for the visitors, and with the midfield on top they comfortably saw out the game to record a good victory.