Northallerton Town FC 1 Sunderland RCA 1

28 November 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

RCA fielded a strong team for today's visit to Northallerton and a tremendously exciting game ended all square 1 - 1.

The early exchanges were even with both teams trying to get the ball down and play football. After 10 minutes the home side's centre back Grant Hickman had to be stretchered off with a badly damaged knee after a clash with Scott Richards.

The first real chance of the game saw Mark Davison fail to get enough power onto a header in the 19th minute.

Northallerton had a couple of good opportunities, first Chillingworth was thwarted by good tackle by Wardle before Thompson pounced on a loose ball to fire wide.

A long period of passing by RCA ended with a good cross from Davis being headed wide by Paul Taylor on 24 minutes.

Northallerton responded with two corners in quick succesion and exerted real pressure on the RCA Defence before Davis broke away on a great run, rounded Kell, the keeper, but saw his shot cleared off the line by Dacombe. The loose ball was crossed back in by Richards and Shields gave RCA the lead with a smart header at the back post with 32 minutes gone.

Taylor had the ball in the net on 36 minutes but was pullled up for offside. In 44 minutes RCA had a close shave as from a Northallerton corner the ball was volleyed in by Butterworth, crashed off a post and was scrambled clear. The ref allowed eight extra minutes for stoppages, but RCA got through to half time with their 1 0 lead intact.

The second half started with RCA mistakes giving Northallerton dangerous possession but they were unable to make it count. On 50 minutes a good move lead to a RCA corner from which Davisons header was cleared off the line.

On 55 minutes Scott Richards drove a free kick just over the bar from wide right and a minute later Taylor was released but his shot lacked power and Kell saved easily.

The threatened equaliser arrived on the 57th minute when Holliday converted a Chillingworth cross from close range with a spectacular volley.

On 60 minutes Stewart replaced Shields wide right for RCA and made an immediate impact earning a freekick on the edge of the box when making a dangerous run.

The game was wide open now as Davison brought a good save from Kell before Northallerton had a goal ruled out for offside. Then in 71 minutes Stewart was brought down in the box, unfortunately Davison dragged the spot kick wide.

McBryde replaced Taylor for the last ten minutes as RCA pressed for the win and it looked like Davison had decided things but his towering header went agonisingly wide.

The last few minutes saw Northallerton clinging on desperately, but they saw it out for a well earned draw.