8 September 2009
Durham County Lomax Training Services Under 18s League
A cracking Under 18 game in prospect and a decent crowd at Meadow Park for tonight's game.
RCA won the toss and defended the reasonable wind. Nissan were quick to press forward and won the first free kick in a crucial area 25 yards from goal. Jonathon Greener hit the direct free kick with great pace and Pickering in goal pulled off an excellent save which resulted in a corner.
Nissan shaded the opening with Tony Burnell showing good strength and pace in the early exchanges. RCA though were well in the game and on 20 minutes a good move down the left being ended with a decent effort from Kieran Stokoe which was well gathered by Niall Thubron in the Nissan goal. Minutes later Ryan Mather made a great run with the ball and after a one two with Andrews hit a great drive which was deflected wide. RCA won successive corners before Nissan showed their hand again and created half chances at the other end of the pitch. However against the run of play RCA nearly made the breakthrough when James Alston was put through, he attempted to round the goalkeeper who saved spectacularly at feet.
RCA coped well against the visitors who with height advantage were aiming to make the most from set piece play. However right on half time when the teams appeared to cancel each other out , a cross after throw in, resulted in Tony Burnell connecting 8 yards from goal
with a header that found the corner of the net. Nissan were jubilant in making the breakthrough however RCA left the field bouyant in that the conditions would be in their favour in the second half.
The second half was a good contest with neither side giving an inch. On the hour mark RCA nearly got the equaliser when Alston was played in through the middle but again the keeper did an excellent job in forcing wide before pulling off a good save. Lee Andrews for RCA also snatched at a good chance moments later.
Burnell and Collins up front for the visitors were very capable when receiving the ball and constantly proving a threat.
Substitutions were made by RCA who were searching for a breakthrough but Nissan defended excellently. Jonny Davis from RCA got in the box in the dying minutes and hit a good cross into the box where Luke Olabode got up well but saw his header clear the bar.
The referee blew the whistle to end a fine contest between two teams who will clearly be up at the right end of the table based on the standard of this match.
Teams RCA G. Pickering, L. Dunn, P. Deary, M.Moon, L. Olabode, L. Cox, J. Davis, R. Mather, L. Andrews, J.Alston, K. Stokoe
subs used N. Crinson, A. Bone
Nissan N. Thubron, D. Lay, J. Coyne, R. Gibson, A Donald, J. Moan, A. Brown, C. Charlton, J. Greener, T. Burnell, D. Collins
subs used J. Morrison, C. Barrow, G. Downes
Referee David Hanson