Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 1 December 2007

Sunderland RCA continued their recent good form by securing three valuable points, and another clean sheet, at Team Northumbria, despite a dogged and workmanlike performance from the home side. Team Northumbria played good possession football throughout, threatened occasionally, particularly from set pieces, but never really looked like breaching the RCA defence.

For the third game in a row the only change in the Sunderland side was enforced as Dean Goodwin returned from suspension to replace the unavailable Anth Laidler. The game started at a good pace with chances at a premium but Gary Shields might have given RCA the lead as he struck a shot over the bar after five minutes. Ash Davis did the same after 15 minutes as the ball broke from a corner, but for the most part it was a tough midfield battle with Dean Goodwin, Paul Sammons and Scott Richards working hard to contain a hard working and skillful Team Northumbria midfield. Late on in the half Team Northumbria went close with two headers from corners, but thankfully both flew wide.

For the second period RCA significantly upped the tempo, and now having the benefit of a bitter wind, pressed hard. Craig Lines was just off target before Neil Hixon changed his attacking options by replacing Gary Shields with John Butler after 55 minutes. Almost immediately Butts broke free on a chase to goal before his control let him down and the defence got back to cover. On the hour Adam McGuiness came on to replace Ash Davis as RCA moved to a more attacking formation but despite a lot of pressure the goal wouldn't come and, to be fair to Team Northumbria, they continued to respond with calm and precise football. In the 80th minute Taz Raine replaced Craig Lines and a couple of minutes later the Team Northumbria goalkeeper had to be helped from the field and replaced after a collision with John Butler. Thankfully despite some nasty cuts and bruises the goalie did not look too badly hurt. Two minutes later his replacement brought down Butts as he went round him and Lee Owens scored from the resultant penalty. Matters were settled in the 89th minute when Adam McGuiness went round the keeper after a good run onto a pass from midfield. A good win but by no means easy!

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday 8 December 2007

Another good win for Sunderland RCA who made it four wins in a row with this victory over Hebburn Town. A miserable, wet, cold day saw only die hard fans making the effort to get to Meadow Park for this clash. RCA started brightly attacking with the advantage of the slope, and chances came and went at regular intervals through the first period. After four minutes a ball from the left flashed across the box with no one reaching it and after seven minutes Lee Owens had his first attempt of the afternoon, shooting wide from the edge of the box.

Hebburn broke occasionally and looked dangerous in the 17th minute as their centre forward, Garry McCartney, turned and shot smartly, but just wide. In the 21st minute the long serving Hebburn keeper, Gary Rogers dropped the ball from a corner and RCA skipper Paul Moss should have done better than to poke it wide. More chances followed, mostly for RCA before Lee Owens broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, pushing the ball home from a yard in the middle of an enormous scramble. Four minutes later Lee doubled the lead with a superb goal for his and RCA's second, waltzing past 2 defenders and planting a shot past the Hebburn keeper from 12 yards.

RCA pressed from then to the break but the score stayed level. Early in the second half however the game seemed to be in the bag as, in the 52nd minute, Craig Lines got the faintest of touches onto a Lee Owens cross and directed the ball into the far corner. RCA seemed well on top at this point, but Hebburn were handed a lifeline by a good Mick Younger header after the hour, and, when Paul Donaghy made it 3-2 in the 69th minute, it was definitely game back on! From then until the final whistle it was end to end stuff, with chances being created and spurned by both sides. The referee found five minutes of injury time from somewhere, and right at the death Craig Shields made a tremendous save to keep RCA in front. For the resulting corner the Hebburn keeper joined the attack and the game ended with him stranded as RCA broke and looked certain to score into an empty net, but the ref saved Mr Rogers blushes, blowing for time before the goal could be scored. A very entertaining contest in tough conditions, very well done to both sides, Sunderland RCA up to 7th and march on!

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday 22 December 2007

With new signing Andy Jennings making his debut in the number nine shirt, RCA kicked off with a promising start, but Horden were quickly back and could - should - have scored with their first break. RCA defender Paul Moss did enough to make the Horden forward pass the ball instead of shooting. The resulting cross was somehow cleared when a goal looked certain.

On ten minutes, RCA got a free kick on the left 25 yards out from the Horden goal. A good cross was cleared for a corner kick, but RCA failed to capitalise as the referee blew for a Horden free kick.

On 15 minutes Horden missed their second clear chance. An under hit back pass meant that the Horden forward got the ball ahead of keeper Craig Shields, but he could only shoot high and wide when more composure would have given him a clear chance against the out of position keeper.

Andy Jennings did not have to wait long to take his first goal for RCA. On 25 minutes a good cross from the right saw Andy rise at the far post to head just over the line.

Five minutes later and Andy Jennings had his second turing the ball into the net from six yards following good work from Lee Owens, who beat a player of the right and then crossed from the by-line.

A minute later RCA keeper, Craig Shields made a good save following a Horden corner.

Five minutes into the second half saw Andy Jennings turn provider as he broke clear on the left and crossed for Gary Shields, who was in acres of space, to score easily past the isolated Horden keeper. 3 - 0 did not reflect the balance of play and Horden fought back. On 74 minutes, an excellent shot hit the bar and rebounded for the Horden substitute to strike the ball firmly from close range, giving Craig Shields little or no chance.

In the 83 minute things got more nervous still for RCA, who were playing too deeply and inviting Horden on to them. Good work from a Horden corner saw them peg RCA back to 3 - 2.

On 87 minutes the stage seemed set for Willie Crew, returning to his old club, to seal a draw for Horden, but Craig Shields pulled off a terrific save from his well hit shot.

There was further danger on 89 minutes when Paul Moss conceded a free kick 22 yards out, but all Horden could do was sky it.

The final whistle came as a relief to RCA. How Willie Crew would have loved to mark his return to Meadow Park with a goal, but it was not to be his day. Instead it was RCA fans who went home happy for Christmas. Well done Andy Jennings - scoring two and making the third - not a bad debut!