30 September 2009
Under 18s Challenge Match
The DFA County Youth Champions v Durham County Schools U18 squad was the mouth watering prospect on offer for free tonight at Meadow Park. Given that RCA had 5 members of the Durham County FA squad in their line up and the Schools select had 8 members on show a good game was anticipated and the supporters were not disappointed.
Durham Schools were quickly into their stride and an early cool finish by Matty Soulsby from 15 yards set the stage alight. RCA struggled in the first quarter and it was no surprise when Durham went two up when Rhys Jukes moved into the box and when the ball was not cleared by Luke Olabode it fell again to Jukes who slotted easily into the corner.
Pickering made a great save in goal which kept RCA in the game on 25 minutes before the tide began to turn. Perry Agnew created a great chance which Lee Andrews glanced against the post, before an identical move minutes later and a raker of a cross was headed home into the top corner of the net by Andrews . RCA 1 – County Schools 2. One way traffic now and Agnew was again getting joy down the right. Attacking the box he hit a great effort towards goal which the keeper could only glance onto the post and Andrews followed up quickly to despatch the ball into the net. 2 – 2.
RCA did not need half time but this did not affect their play on the restart.
Nathaniel Crinson twice getting in down the left but after beating the keeper on one occasion the ball was cleared by the last defender. Jonny Evans though was orchestrating play for the visitors and again Pickering had to be alert in the RCA goal as the play moved end to end.
The game really ignited again after the hour mark, RCA midfielder Jonny Davis firing in a great free kick that was headed home by his midfield partner Ryan Mather . Durham responded again though with Liam McNall levelling the scores with a great effort.
RCA were shading play at this stage and it was no surprise when they took the lead again with the goal of the game by Ryan Mather. After passes were exchanged just in front of the centre circle, on receiving the final pass Mather feigned to the left before hitting a 30 screamer with a bit of curl right into the top corner of the net.
The pace did not change and not settling for the goal advantage RCA won successive corners. The final corner when crossed in was cleared off the line before Crinson and Alston hit good efforts that were scrambled away. Durham quickly moved the ball upto the left wing where McNall showed incredible turn of pace beating the final defender before superbly slotting home. 4 – 4 and no time to catch breath. A quality game by any standards !