Northern League

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

Sunderland RCA made absolutely sure of their ANL status with a hard worked for win at Whickham. well on top in the first half we were unlucky to go in level as a superb 30 yard goal from Whickham with just about their only effort of the half, cancelled out our opener from Willie Crew, RCA's only reward from numerous well worked chances. the second half was a different story as Whickham had most of the play, only to fall behind to Wilie Crew's second after 80 minutes. Willie was denied his hat trick as a penalty was given to RCA in the dying seconds after an excellent Andy Allen run was ended with a foul, moments after Willie had been substituted. Sub Anth Laidler, with his first touch, predictably had his effort well saved, but SRCA held on for the win.

Northern League

Saturday, 14 April 2007

RCA began their last home game of the season kicking off down the slope. Manager Steve Smith had adopted a 3 – 5 – 2 formation, with Andy Middelton and Ian Mathews as right and left wingbacks.

Within two minutes a left wing attack led to Si Andrews passing to John Butler in a promising position, but he was flagged offside – it looked like a very tight call. RCA were back quickly though as Si Andrews broke through and ran into the box before hitting a shot across the keeper to open RCA’s account.

On nine minutes, Si Andrews was in action again, heading goalwards from a free kick, bit it proved to soft to bother the keeper.

On 20 minutes, very nice work on the right led to Si hooking the ball into the net, but the whistle had already gone for handball.

On 27 minutes Ian – Flash – Matthews took a corner and John Butler headed over.

On 31 minutes and Andy Middleton diagonal ball was taken down by Flash but his cross shot went wide.

On 60 minutes a Brandon ball into the box was not defended and Andrew Johnson had a free header, which he looped over Niki Lawson in the RCA goal for the equalizer.

Si Andrews restored RCA’s lead within five minutes, as he connected with a right wing cross to beat the keeper from 15 yards.

On 75 minutes there was an apparently bad injury to RCA keeper Niki Lawson who went down from a challenge in obvious pain from his left ankle. Following a long period of treatment from Pop, Niki was helped off and Si Andrews pulled on the goalkeeper’s jersey.

And that was the end of RCA’s home campaign for 2006/07. It was nice to see Mr Ray Baines at the match and good that he was treated to a win.

Northern League

Saturday, 7 April

Another 1 0 defeat for RCA, the fifth in recent weeks, and harder to bear as the only goal came in the last 10 minutes, just as it looked like we would earn a deserved point and dent Washington's promotion hopes.

A depleted squad saw manager Steve Smith name himself on the bench, but a battling performance on a bumpy pitch nearly saw us home. In a game of few chances forwards found it hard going on both sides, with defences well on top throughout before Washington capitalised on an error to seal the win.

Northern League

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

The game began at a lively pace and both sides were adopting a physical approach, but RCA started comfortably the better side. Si Andrews worked tirelessly up front winning headers and holding up well, allowing Scotty and Flash to support and make us a three as often as possible.

Paul Hartley sat centrally and held his shape well allowing Any Allen and Karl Jarvis to get on the ball and after 10 minutes we started to dominate the game. Si had two great headed chances which he put over the bar, and in Marske's only attack of any note in the first half, the stand in kepper Steve Smith pulled off a full length save low to his left. The back four dominated their attack and Phil Hall was outstanding throughout.

We continued to control possession with Karl Jarvis back to his best with the ball and were very unlucky to come in all square. The second half started as the first ended and we took the lead after a great run into the box by Andy Allen, who was found by Jarvis, and brought down for a penalty. Jarvis stepped up and slotted to his left, sending the keeper the wrong way for a deserved 1-0 lead.

Marske then made a double subsitution and went with three-up front. Still we kept possession well and the defence remained stubbornly resolute.

As the game approached the final 15 mins Marske were throwing all into attack and we hit them on the break with a great move which resulted in a great chance from eight yards which Si Andrews just fired too high.
On 78 minutes Marske were awarded a disputed free kick ten yards outside the box. The three man wall jumped to defend it. The referee judged Andy Allen had blocked via a hand and gave another freekick right on the edge of the box. This resulted in Marske's number 6 firing hard and low into the bottom left hand corner. From the kick off we gave the ball away and from a long cross into the box, Laidler unluckily found the top corner of his own net to give Marske their second goal in a minute.

Heads could have dropped, but the exact opposite happened and in the last five mins we pressed with lots of balls into the box but could not quite find the equaliser. So 90 mins for all involved to feel massively proud of their efforts and but for a bad minute the result would have produced what the boys deserved. An absolute credit to the club from 1 - 12. Well done and thanks boys!

Northern League

Saturday, 21 April 2007

Sunderland RCA rounded off their season with a solid victory away at Crook Town.

The 3 2 margin makes it look closer than it really was, as RCA played most of the football and had gone into a well deserved 2 0 lead by the hour mark, and looked likely to cruise home. Andy Allen gave RCA the lead with a excellent header from a quality Jon Butler cross after half an hour, and that was enough for the half time lead. A great Flash Matthews break and cross on the hour was finished by Karl Jarvis with aplomb, with others queueing up for the goal.

The referee got himself in on the act when he inexplicably refused a cast iron penalty as second half sub Andy Middleton worked his way into the box and, as always seems to happen, Crook went down the other end and scored with a good finish past manager Steve Smith, who again found himself between the posts, as regular keeper Niki Lawson watched on crutches from the sidelines. Steve "The Cat" then endeared himself to the Crook fans as he slowed play with his astute use of the laws of the game, before Si Andrews restored the two goal advantage after 75 minutes. A last minute Crook goal put a gloss on proceedings for them but there was no dispute who were the better side, and two wins and an unlucky defeat in the last week of the season should put the club in good heart for next year.

The committee, staff and players are committed to fighting at the other end of the table next time around, and the squad have shown enough to make that a realistic target.