7 October 2009
FA Youth Cup
Sunderland RCA exited the national FA Youth Cup competition tonight, despite an excellent performance away at Dunston UTS.
The bad news beforehand was that defender Marc Moon is to be out of action for at least two months injured on DFA County duty on Monday night and he joins midfielder Liam Cox who is also likely to be out for six weeks.
Dunston were very lively in the opening 10 minutes and a good move down the right ended up with a shot from the edge of the box by Ricky Fenwick which was well gathered by Graeme Pickering in the RCA goal. Further free kicks were won in dangerous positions by the home side who were looking to make the most of height advantage. However RCA were having possession advantage in many areas of the pitch. After creating half chances the lead was nearly taken when captain Jonny Davis crossed for his midfield partner Ryan Mather and his glancing header missed the post by inches with the keeper well beaten.
Minutes later great interplay by RCA down the left between Olabode and Deary put Kieran Stokoe free and cutting into the box he crossed with pace, Lee Andrews racing in to connect but again the ball missed the target. Dunston were very relieved to get to half-time 0 – 0 and dusted down in readiness for the second half. RCA left the field buoyant but bewildered in how a chance had not been converted.
RCA started the second half with confidence but again the home defence were proving a hard nut to crack. The home side though surprised many in the ground by taking the lead when winning their first corner of the second half, the ball was headed home by Lee Cranney, 1 – 0. If ever a lift was needed for Dunston this was it and although RCA upped the pace creating more half chances again, they were nearly caught with a second free kick opportunity that was headed against the bar. RCA made substitutions and the final period of the game was completely dominated, James Alston beating the defence twice and with keeper to beat pushed his efforts inches wide of the goal on both occasions. The attacks were relentless, Nathaniel Crinson getting in behind the defence on the right and crossing but no finishing touch for the equaliser. Deary hitting a effort from 18 yards past the post.
The equaliser had to come and when a great 4 man move ended up with Crinson finding Lee Andrews in the box the keeper was beaten and he hit into the target only to see the ball ricochet off the last defender and wide again. The referee blew the whistle and the Dunston players were jubilant, they rode their luck on the night and have been rewarded with a chance to make the First Round proper away to Congleton Town (Cheshire). Tough for the RCA lads, but good football experience gained.