Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 3 November 2007

Another good win for RCA, the third league win on the trot, fourth in the last five matches, and one which pushes into the top half of the league table for the first time in a few years.

Darlington RA came into the game having lost their manager during the previous week, but they looked up for things and started strongly with most of the possession in the first quarter of an hour. Mossy and Wayne held firm at the centre of defence and then, with our first real attack, Gary Shields gave us the lead in the fifteenth minute as he reacted quickest to a ball that found its way right across the six yard box, and squeezed his shot into the corner.

Darlington continued to press, but RCA were looking lively on the break as the pace of Shields and Owens stretched the RA defenders time after time. At the other end Craig Shields in the RCA goal had little to do bar catch a few hopeful crosses and field backpasses.

The score stayed 1-0 at the half time interval.

The second half started in much the same vein as Darlo pressed, and we looked sharp in return.

Gary got his second on the hour with a quick break, and the side relaxed and played their best football of the game. The two substitutes combined for the third as Lee Bell made a great run into the box and found Taz Raine at the far post to slot home. RA got a consolation late on but RCA saw out time very comfortably to secure the vital win.

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup

Wednesday, 7 November 2007

RCA travelled down to Marske United for the second round of the Ernest Armstrong Trophy, hoping to repeat the victory secured over Marske at home in the league last month. Manager Neil Hixon shuffled his pack with Matt Hyson returning for Wayne Henderson in defence, Glen McCartney replacing Gary Anderson at right back, Taz Raine coming in for Ash Davis at left back, with Ash pushed forward to left wing to replace the unavailable Jif Dickinson. In attack Lee Bell played in the hole behind debutant Craig Lines. With Gary Shields, Scott Richards and the returning Jon Butler joining Wayne and Gary Anderson, the bench looked strong if needed.

The game started with Marske enjoying a lot of possession without ever looking comfortable. the new partnership of Bell and Lines looked dangerous up front while Lee Owens begin to torture the Marske backline on the break, as he would continue to do all night. By half time the pressure was 60/40 in favour of Marske while the chances were all ours although the scoreline was still 0-0. Goodwin and Hyson had been booked, Matty not helped by the disgraceful intervention of the Marske manager. In a rare moment of danger from the home side Craig Shields was lucky to escape unharmed from a very late challenge.

Within a minute or two of the restart Lee Owens set off on another long run into the Marske defence, shot from the edge of the box, and saw the hapless Marske custodian fumble the ball under his body and into the net. A soft goal, but no more than our enterprising attacking play, particularly from Owens, had deserved. Marske were rattled by this, and the game should have been out of sight in the next 20 minutes as we wasted several excellent chances.

The balance of play turned to Marske as Paul Moss went off injured, and Marske finally made the breakthrough to equalise after 80 minutes. However, it had been good to see Jon Butler make his return on 70 minutes and, within a minute of Marske scoring he made the winner with a strong run to the line and excellent cutback across the keeper which Ash Davis bundled into the net.

That was that, job well done, a quarter final to look forward to, and onto Whickham on Saturday.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 10 November 2007

A tough afternoon on Tyneside!

As we arrived the clubhouse was full of Newcastle supporters, optimistically hoping to see their team prevail at the Stadium of Light. All of the bonhomie, good grace and intelligent analysis one has come to expect from our friends in the north was on display; until of course Sunderland took the lead! The boys couldn't hold on however, so it was up to Sunderland RCA to fly the flag against the black and whites of Whickham.

Whickham are a tough act to contend with. Much improved from last season, fast and direct, they put us under pressure from the off, and went ahead in the 15th minute with a super strike as a ball was cleared from a corner.

It took us a long time to get to grips, but as the half wore on we came more into things, although still finding it difficult to get it down and pass it, not helped it much be said by Whickham's awful pitch and the strong wind. Still 1 - 0 at the break, and Neil reacted immediately, with all three subs used by the 50th minute. Simon Andrews came on to add more height up front for Lee Bell, while Wayne Henderson and Glen McCartney came in at the back to replace the injured Matt Hyson and Taz Raine.

Now playing into the wind we came more and more into things and began to really press the Whickham back four. Craig Lines held it up well while Gary Shields dropped deep to turn and run at defenders. The goal looked like it would never come, but finally a clever ball from Simon set Craig away and he finished well to bring things level with 12 minutes to go.

There looked to be only one winner at this stage, and it wasn't going to be Whickham, or so we thought. But a quick break exposed a lack of pace at the back and the chance was buried, to leave us with only five minutes to try and salvage things again.

It was not to be, and Whickham celebrated like a cup final on the whistle. They expect to be in contention at the end of the season, and on this performance, particularly since we know we can do much better, so should we.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Tuesday, 13 November 2007

A cold and wet night was no deterrent to a good turn out at Meadow Park, where attendance was helped by a strong Crook contingent. The weather was no deterrent to an action packed match either, with both teams keen to get a maximum points. In the end, the points were shared and this will be a cause of frustration to both teams.

Crook began the match kicking down the slope. The first significant action was on ten minutes when a Crook free kick on their right was floated into the box, but the header went over. On 12 minutes, Gary D Anderson got a long lecture from the referee. Crook wasted the opportunity by over hitting the free kick. Two minutes later an RCA corner caused problems for the Crook defence, but they eventually cleared the danger. On 15 minutes, RCA were living dangerously as they failed to clear from their box. The ball fell to a Crook forward, but from a difficult angle he hooked over the bar. More Crook pressure followed. RCA countered with a swift beak feeding Lee Owens on the RCA right. The header from his cross was unfortunately off-target.

RCA were cursing their luck on 20 minutes. A terrific through ball from Anth Laidler found winger Adam McGuiness in space on the left. His cross evaded everyone and was eventually cleared by Crook for an RCA corner on the right. A good delivery saw captain Paul Moss head against the post.

On 25 minutes it looked like RCA had a real opportunity when the referee awarded a free kick on the Crook D, but he reversed his decision after consulting his assistant. This did not dampen RCA's ambitions. Two minutes later they had a clear break on the right, with the shot on goal being defected for a corner. The delivery was cleared despite Paul Moss getting a touch. Two minutes later Adam McGuiness has a strong run down the left, but his cross was eventually cleared.

On 34 minutes it looked as though Crook must score as the ball broke to them on the edge of the six yard box, but it was somehow cleared. Two minutes later Crook had another clear opportunity, but the shot was pushed around the post by keeper Craig Shields, who then punched clear from from the corner. At half time it was hard to believe that it was 0 - 0.

Manager Neil Hixon made one change for the second half, with Jon Butler coming on for Gary Shields. Everyone will be pleased to see Butts back after his injury lay off. It was RCA's other forward who broke the deadlock. New boy Craig Lines ran on to an excellent through ball which split the Crook defence and slotted clinically under the advancing Crook keeper to make it 1 - 0 to the RCA.

Crook continued to threaten and RCA got a clear warning on 60 minutes when a strong Crook shot from outside the area went just past the post. On 65 minutes a slip by Paul Moss caused danger and the quick running of Ashley Davis meant the ball was cleared just in time.

On 70 minutes RCA thought they had got a crucial second goal. A slick move ended with Lee Owens putting the ball into the Crook net, but the linesman's flag had been raised for off-side. This turned out to be a sickner, because a minute later a Crook corner ended in an equaliser from a glancing header across the RCA goal. On 75 minutes it was too easy for Crook to cross and RCA were relieved when the shot went wide.

On 76 minutes RCA had a free kick on the Crook D. It was well struck by substitute Matthew Raine, but was deflected for a corner.

On 83 minutes Crook took the lead as poor defensive work meant that the ball broke for them to shoot past Craig Shields to make it 2 - 1.

On 87 minutes RCA were awarded a free kick on their right. Si Andrews came on for Ashley Davis to add height and power to the massed ranks of RCA players waiting to receive the ball just inside the Crook penalty area. The cross broke well for RCA and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty for pulling. Lee Owens scored strongly from the post kick. What a relief!

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 17 November 2007

RCA had new signing Paul Sammons making his debut in a five man midfield for the visit of league leaders Birtley. The game started at a decent pace, and as has been the way of recent games, RCA defended solidly while Birtley had much of the possession in the first half hour. Chances were at a premium however, Craig Shields tipping one over after 20 minutes being the best chance for the visitors, who also saw a good long range drive go narrowly over the bar late in the half. For RCA the pace of Shields and Owens began to cause Birtley a lot of problems as the half wore on, and both Lee Owens and Craig Lines went close in a two minute spell just before the break.

Into the second half and RCA began to take more control, with Lee Owens outstanding as he tormented the Birtley back line. A hand ball in the box saw Gary Shields give RCA the lead after 54 minutes. Birtley rallied briefly but still had no answer to the pace of RCA wide. Lee Owens should have scored a great goal after a marvellous run saw him go past three defenders before blasting over the bar in the 72nd minute, but he was not to be denied and sealed the game with a solo run and shot in the 87th minute. A well deserved victory as Sunderland RCA goalkeeper Craig Shields was a well protected spectator behind a solid back three of Moss, Anderson and Henderson, despite Birtley's possession. Paul Sammons made a pleasing debut in a combative midfield where Anth Laidler and Dean Goodwin also worked hard.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 24 November 2007

RCA produced an excellent performance against a North Shields team who were in good form themselves.

Only one change from the team against Birtley, with Scott Richards coming in for the suspended Dean Goodwin. Richards signed a few weeks ago from Bishop Auckland with a good reputation and first division pedigree, but his appearances have been restricted due to injury and suspension, so knowledgeable fans were looking forward to seeing him perform.

RCA started brightly and Richards had the first attempt on goal with afine effort in the 4th minute. Shields had some decent possession early on, but RCA always looked more dangerous, and should have taken the lead after an excellent Gary Shields run left Lee Owens with a good shooting position in the 10th minute, but the North Shields keeper pulled off the first in a string of fine saves. More efforts on goal came up at regular intervals for RCA, before the deadlock was broken by Gary Shields in the 37th minute when a good ball from midfield left him in on goal and he finished coolly.

1-0 at the break, and a few spectators were thinking that RCA might regret not taking the chances they had through the half, as North Shields would surely offer more as the game wore on. The second period however started in the same vein as the first, and the only surprise was that those spectators had to wait until the 63rd minute before a superb Anth Laidler long range effort was too hot for the keeper to hold and Paul Sammons followed in smartly to net the rebound.

Sunderland RCA continued to have all the chances and many fans were pleased to see Jon Butler, slowly getting back to form after a long break through injury, finish the job by getting on the end of a good Lee Owens diagonal ball to slide it past the keeper and make the final score 3-0. A very good display against a side that were made to look quite ordinary despite their recent good run. RCA were solid at the back, aggressive and creative in midfield and, despite missing a few, had a good conversion rate from the front men. Very promising!