Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 12 January 2008

An excellent display of attacking football from RCA, although the final scoreline is undoubtedly harsh on a strong Stokesley team who contributed much to a very entertaining game.

RCA gave debuts to Sean Davies, newly signed on loan from Newcastle Blue Star for the remainder of the season, Steve Houlahan and Andrew Hoban, joining on a permanent basis from Ryton and Willington respectively. Davies started in the left back spot as RCA lined up in an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation, while Houlahan and Hoban had to settle for places on the bench.

The game started with Stokesley the brighter side and after 10 minutes they could have taken the lead as Sonny Andrews saw his effort strike the post and run away to safety. RCA began to settle and took the lead after 14 minutes as Adam McGuinness met a Lee Owens corner to plant the ball past the Stokesley keeper with a powerful header.

Five minutes later Andy Jennings made it 2-0 with a smart finish after an excellent break down the right by Lee Owens. Shortly after Stokesley hit the post again, and began to have that sinking feeling that it wasn't going to be there day!

A tremendous Jennings effort, which saw him juggle the ball along the edge of the box before firing in a great shot which the keeper just managed to parry onto the bar, brought applause from the crowd before a rare Wayne Henderson goal, again a header from a corner, saw RCA into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead, although the Stokesley fans were wondering how they hadn't managed at least one themselves.

The second half started busily until Paul Sammons seized on a loose ball to fire into the net from the edge of the box, to make it 4-0 after 58 minutes. Andrew Hoban replaced Gary Shields for his debut after 63 minutes and the game meandered a little, until a superb Lev Yalcin free kick gave Stokesley a flicker of hope in the 78th minute.

Steve Houlahan came on for Adam McGuinness in the 80th minute, and then two goals in a minute from Andrew Hoban and Paul Sammons, in the 87th and 88th minutes, finished Stokesley off. A super game, and evidence of the potency RCA now possess going forward, but sympathy for Stokesley, who competed hard throughout.

Arngrove Northern League Division 2

Saturday, 19 January 2008

A 3-1 scoreline looks comfortable enough, as RCA stretched their league winning run to an impressive seven on Saturday, but as the week before, it doesn't tell the whole story. Thornaby were strong opponents, and pushed us all the way.

The game kicked off on a heavy pitch after all the recent rain, but weather conditions were good, and the game started in a very lively fashion, with both sides trying to create chances with intelligent football. The first real chance fell to Thornaby when their impressive left back, Paul Harvey, hit a powerful free kick which Craig Shields dealt with at full stretch. Gary Shields then had a couple of good chances to break onto balls from midfield for RCA, but it was Thornaby who took the lead after 29 minutes, taking advantage of defensive slips for their number 10, Dane Wilson, to slide home. The lead was shortlived however, as RCA replied as Gary Shields converted a 34th minute penalty given at the second time of asking when he was bundled over in the box. 1-1 was the score at the break.

The second half was an impressive affair as both sides produced some quality football. For RCA, Gary Shields should have done better after 47 minutes with a shot inside the box, and Scott Richards shot tamely when well placed on 51 minutes. At the other end the front runners for Thornaby were keeping the RCA defenders fully occupied until, on 57 minutes, RCA took the lead with a goal of rare quality. Lee Owens raced down the right, turned his marker beautifully and centred precisely for Adam McGuinness to smash a superb volley past the Thornaby keeper, from around the penalty spot area.

From then to the end of the game it was Thornaby asking the questions against some, at times desperate, defending from RCA. Steve Houlahan came on for Gary Shields to shore up the midfield, and Adam McGuiness made some strong runs in possession as the game wore on, but for the most part, Thornaby dominated, despite the non stop efforts of Paul Sammons and Scott Richards to gain some control through the centre. Craig Shields was well covered however, and made few real saves, although he tipped one over the bar well, and was relieved to see two good efforts fly narrowly wide.

Up top centre forward Andy Jennings had been quiet for most of the game, well marshaled by centre backs Leon Carling and Gareth Wake for Thornaby, until in the 88th minute, as RCA staged a late rally, he made his mark on the game, smashing an unstoppable 15 yard shot past Stu Trotter in the Thornaby goal to settle the match.

A real good game, and the run goes on!