1 August 2009

Pre Season Friendly

Mancunians get shock treatment

“From South Shields onwards we've been consistently good in our build up.”

- Neil Hixon

“The passing and movement in the first half were excellent and we've carried on.”

- George Herd

Sunderland RCA comprehensively outplayed and out fought a visibly shocked Atherton Collieries in their first home friendly in the pre-season build up to the 2009-10 campaign.

Mark – Sparky – Davison went nap, there were braces for Mickey Coghlan and Mark McLeod and Paul Taylor slotted home a penalty.

RCA kicked off down the slope and were instantly pressuring the Atherton defence. There was little waiting for the first breakthrough: a classy 25 yard strike from Mickey Coghlan in the centre of the park soared past the keeper.

RCA mustered more attacks. On 10 minutes a great cross from Gary Shields from RCA's right led to a corner, but the referee blew for a foul in the six yard box when the ball was played in. On 15 minutes a direct free kick from the corner of the box was curled over the cross bar. On 16 minutes a Harrison Davies cross from the left was met first time by Mark Davison, whose shot hit the near post. Moments later another cross from Gary Shields led to Sparky heading just wide. Five minutes later and it was Harrison Davies' turn to have a direct shot from 28 yards, which the keeper parried. There was no one from RCA on hand to follow up.

On 25 minutes RCA went two up following excellent work from Harrison Davies. Under pressure from two Atherton defenders he twisted, turned and crossed perfectly for Mark Davison to rifle home from 12 yards.

Two minutes later and RCA went three up. Through his usual combination of skill and determination Gary Shields won a 30:70 ball on the left, ran forward and fed Mark Davison who turned to avoid defenders and pick his spot.

On 35 minutes Sparky got his hat trick, holding the ball up, passing, getting it back again in the right channel to turn and shoot across the keeper into the far corner. Cue celebrations!

On 39 minutes RCA went five nil up, Paul Taylor converting a penalty after the referee judged that Scott Richards had been brought down unfairly in the area.

On 42 minutes Wayne Henderson went down after a knock to his knee and needed treatment. Minutes later through he had to come off and was replaced by Dave Anderson. (A few minutes into the second half, Dave was to go over on his ankle and had to come off. Neil, George and Glen will be wrapping Andy Reay and Paul Wardle in cotton wool.)

If spectators thought that was effectively the end of the first half they were wrong. On 44 minutes short interplay passing down the left ended with Michael Coghlan's second from six yards. Well into added time, a Gary Shields cross was met by hit man Mark Davison who headed home from 12 yards.

HT: Sunderland RCA 7 Atherton Collieries 0

For the second half, Rob McLean came on for Gary Hoggeth in goal and new signing Matthew Noble replaced Steve Jones at right back. Shortly into the half Adam McGuinness gave way for Dave Turner and Mark McLeod came on with Scott Richards moving into the back four for Dave Anderson following his ankle twist.

With wind and the slope and no doubt stung by their first half experience Atherton showed much more of their game, putting the RCA defence under some pressure, none of it telling though.

On 70 minutes, Mark Davison headed on a through ball. It looked unfortunate when the turning Paul Taylor slipped, but he still went on to win an RCA corner. The ball was played short to Gary Shields, whose cross shot was turned in by Mark McLeod at the far post.

Three minutes later and Mark Davison was back in on the scoring act. Clean through he looked to have taken the ball too far wide as he rounded the keeper, but he cut back in and knocked the ball home to make it 9 – 0 to the home side.

Atherton had not given up. On 74 minutes RCA keeper Rob McLean had to rush from his area and head clear to avoid being one-on-one with an Atherton forward. Two minutes later Mickey Coghlan nearly hit a deserved hat trick from a header following a Harrison Davies cross.

Mark McLeod wrapped up the scoring with his second and RCA's tenth, when following more RCA pressure, he ran in to score from a tight angle on the left.

SRCA team: Gary Hoggeth, Steve Jones, Adam McGuinness, Wayne Henderson, Paul Wardle, Scott Richards, Gary Shields, Michael Coghlan, Mark Davison, Paul Taylor, Harrison Davies, Dave Anderson, Dave Turner, Matthew Noble, Mark McLeod, Chris Curtis, Adam Forest.

5 August 2009

Alan Thompson Memorial Cup

The 2009 Alan Thompson Memorial Cup match between Ryhope CW and Sunderland RCA ended with a deserved 2 - 0 win to the home side Ryhope Colliery Welfare.

The match raised £280 for charity.

There has been some criticism of the visitors for fielding a compostite team, consisting mostly of RCA's Under 18 team, but the scoreline and much more importantly the keen contest on the night are more than an answer to such grumbles. Both sides played out a whole hearted contest.

The two goals came in the 59th and 89th minutes, both from Anthony Ross, following good work on the left wing from Martin Swales. RCA fielded a side consisting mainly of their Under 18s and they put on a good, well organised show, in a competitive match, but it was a fair result.

CW captain and centre half, Phil Hall lifted the cup for the home side. Phil was one of many players on the night who have played for both Ryhope clubs.

8th August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2: Attendance 78

The opening day of the new season saw Sunderland RCA FC matched against skilltrainingltd Northern League newcomers Gillford Park FC. A silver salver was presented by RCA's captain Gary Shields, to the Gillford captain Mark Butler, to mark the occasion.

The game started in glorious sunshine with RCA taking advanatage of the slope and it was they who had the first opportunity after 7 minutes when a cross from Davies was tipped away for a corner. Stewart sent in the corner for Davison to powerfully head home.

Dickinson had a chance to level 2 mninutes later but his shot went well wide. RCA took control of the game in a scintillating period of play which saw Coghlan burst into the box and although his shot was blocked Davies was there to volley home from 10 yards out. Within a minute it was 3 - 0 when a crossfield ball from Davies found the unmarked Shields who cracked the ball home from 15 yards out.

The crowd were being well entertained with fast attacking football and it was no surprise when Gillford pulled a goal back in the 18 minute when a corner was swung into the box by Butler and the ball was stabbed home from close range by Ian Johnstone.

Davison restored the 3 goal difference after 24 minutes when Sheilds sent in an inch perfect cross for him to head home his second of the match.

Gillford to their credit continued to battle and were rewarded with a breakaway goal when Bead sent the ball clear of his defence to Dickinson who's crossfield pass found Addison free and he finished superbly past the advancing Hoggeth.

At half time Andy Reay replaced Paul Wardle who was struggling with a hamstring problem.

The second half could never match up to the pace of the first and although both teams had chances to score, notably, Skinner and Dickinson, for Gillford Park, in the opening 3 minutes of the second half and Davison, RCA, after 50 minutes it was Stewart who sealed the victory with a well taken shot from an immaculate through ball from Richards.

As the game progressed both teams started to cancel each other out and although both teams had half chances to score niether keeper was really tested until the last 5 minutes when Hoggeth had to punch clear a wicked curling cross from Addison and than a shot from Davison from 40 yards caught Williams off his line but went narrowly wide.

12th August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2: Attendance: 62

RCA went top of the skillstrainingltd Northern League Second division after thouroughly outplaying their opponents Darlington RA FC.

There was only one change to the team which started on Saturday, with Matty Noble coming in for Steve Jones who is on holiday.

RCA took the early initiative and where in control from the start. Darlington set out their stall to defend and try to counter attack. How it took until the 15 minute for RCA to test the keeper is a testament to Darlington's defensive line up.

Davies had two efforts on goal, but both failed to test Raine in the Darlington goal.

In the 22 minute Davison rounded the keeper but fired into the side netting. It looked like RCA's shooting had deserted them and this was evident again when Stewart fired in a shot from 20 yards which went straight into Raine's hands.

The first goal when it eventually came in the 32 minute was a tremendous strike from Coghlan from 35 yards which took a deflection off Darlington midfielder Martin Smith.

Four minutes later they doubled their lead when a Shields shot was saved by Raine but the loose ball was headed home by Stewart. Within minutes the same player was guilty of the miss of the season when he blazed over the bar from 2 yards out.

It did not take long for him to redeem himself when he took a pass from Coghlan, beat two defenders with a blistering turn of pace before cutting the ball back into the path of Davison who guided the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Darlington's only effort in a poor first half or them was in the 46 minute when McKie fired wide from 30 yards out.

The second half was only a minute old when Davies produced a piece of brilliance, receiving a 40 yard pass from Wardle on the left wing, he cut inside before delicately chipping the ball over Raine's head and into the net.

In the space of two minutes Raine was called upon to save from Davies and Coghlan but was unable to do anything when Davies crossed for substitute Taylor to ram home the fifth. Within a minute it could have been six, but Davison's powerful header rebounded off the post. This was to be his last action of the match as he made way for the debut of Liam McBryde who was playing only three weeks after knee surgery.

Darlington although well beaten did try to play some football and late in the game Jenkinson was unlucky with an effort, but the only save that Hoggeth had to make all game was in the 92 minute when he saved a 30 yard shot from Max Ripley.

15 August 2009

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: Attendance: 75

Sunderland RCA FC welcomed Ryton FC to Meadow Park for this Extra Preliminary FA Cup match.

RCA started the stronger and should have taken the lead as early as the 2 minute when a cross from Stewart found Davies in space at the back post, unfortunately, he volleyed high over the bar.

In the 13 minute RCA went in 1 - 0 up, courtesy of a howler from Ryton keeper Tony Davison, a cross from Davies was collected by Davison who then stumbled backwards into the net.

Ryton were visibly stunned by this and responded by starting to play some good football. Burrell was causing problems on the right and Barclay forced a good save from Hoggeth after 20 minutes.

Taylor had a great chance to make it 2 - 0 when he broke away from his marker and lobbed the ball over Davison’s head only to see his effort go agonisingly wide of the post. Within a minute of this RCA lost their captain Paul Wardle who suffered severe facial injuries after an unsavoury aerial challenge with Patton. This meant that RCA played for 8 minutes with 10 men and the impetus of the game swung to Ryton who utilised this spell to put pressure on the RCA defence. Halliday replaced Wardle and RCA got back into the game.

In the last minute of the first half Mark Davison almost scored when he made contact with a Stewart cross but could only guide it over the bar with the keeper beaten.

Ryton came out in the second half and started to dominate. Barclay was guilty of a miss after 50 minutes when he blasted wide from five yards.

In the 55 minute Ryton were awarded a penalty when Anderson pushed Patton inside the box and Marron converted. Ryton were in control and never took their foot of the pedal as they reduced RCA to breakaway attacks. A long range effort from Inness brought a good save from Hoggeth.

RCA held on until the 69 minute when Barclay volleyed home a cross from Burrell to make it 2 - 1 to the visitors.

RCA rallied for a spell as Ryton defended their lead and Halliday was unlucky to see a glancing header go wide. They then forced a succession of corners and only some superb defending by Preston kept the score at 2 - 1.

Man of the Match Dale Burrell finished off any hopes RCA had of a replay when he went on a solo run, beating two defenders before rounding the keeper to score from close range.

Ryton won this game with a disciplined second half performance and RCA will look back at the missed chances and a poor refereeing decision which changed the game.

22 August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2: Attendance: 72

This match between two teams who are looking for promotion this season was always going to be a tense affair and so it turned out with a single goal enough to secure the points for Sunderland RCA.

Marske took the game to RCA From the off and could easily have been in the lead inside the first 10 minutes but for some resolute defending by Wardle and Reay at the heart of RCA's defensive line up.

Skelton was unlucky with a shot that went narrowly wide after 12 minutes as Marske continued to pile the pressure on. RCA could have gone 1 -0 up against the run of play when a cross from Shields found McGuinness unmarked at the far post but he headed straight at Ledgeway in the Marske goal.

In the 25 minute Gamble broke into the RCA box and only a well timed challenge from Wardle stopped him from scoring. Marske looked to be in control and it was only their final ball that was missing.

RCA started to halt the tide of pressure after half an hour and were unlucky as first Davison headed narrowly over the bar and then Davies was adjudged to be off side when put through by Coghlan.

In the 40th minute Blair had probably the best chance of the half for Marske but somehow managed to head over and two minutes later from a corner the same player headed over again. The half time score of 0-0 reflected how well both defences had coped.

The quiet first half was matched by an explosive second which saw referee Mr McMullen at the centre of a number of controversial decisions.

With 5 minutes of the second half gone Hoggett was called upon to save from Gamble and a minute later Bradley shot wide.

Once again RCA weathered the early pressure and came back at Marske. Davison saw a well placed header saved by Ledgeway. RCA were looking more composed now and looking to go forward with Shields and McBryde combining to set up Davison but his header went well wide. McGuinness almost broke the deadlock with an audacious shot from 35 yards out which only just went over the bar with the keeper beaten.

McBryde did break the deadlock in the 60 minute when he rose higher than everyone else to head home from six yards out.

From the kick off a clumsy challange by Richards had everyone off their seats and it is easy to say in hindsight that he should have been booked for the challenge but the referee chose only to speak to him. This backfired within minutes when a clash between Reay and Skelton resulted in punches being thrown and two red cards being issued. A further red card was issued when Swalwell was given a second yellow card for what appeared to be grabbing someone by the throat.

The game degenerated from that point on with the referee losing control and dishing out yellow cards like confetti.

Both RCA and Marske had penalty appeals turned down with the referee and assistants reluctant to make any sort of decision on the incidents. Within the last five minutes Halliday had a great chance to finish Marske off but fired wide.

Marske had plenty of chances to equalise late in the game but some good defending and poor finishing meant that RCA keep their unbeaten league run going.

As others see us

The bloggers from Around the Grounds were at this match. You can read their view here.

26 August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

Sunderland RCA FC celebrated their 1,000th Northern League game with an emphatic win over Hebburn Town FC. Before the match Sunderland RCA's captain for the night, Paul Wardle, was presented with a silver salver from League Chairman Mike Amos MBE for reaching the milestone of playing 1,000 Northern League games.

RCA started the game in a determined mood and maintained a high tempo to their game that could not be matched by Hebburn. They took the lead after four minutes when a cross from Richards was headed home by McBryde. RCA for all their supremacy could not capitalise on some poor Hebburn defending and it was the home side who almost equalised when Myers burst into the box and rolled the ball to Armstrong who blasted the ball wide from five yards out.

This was the wake up call that RCA needed and they extended their lead when Stewart beat two players on the right wing before crossing for McBryde to score his second. RCA were in total control of the game now and when Coghlan found Davies on the left with a great ball he had time to beat the full back before crossing an inch perfect return pass to Coghlan who steered the ball past Donaldson from 8 yards out. 2 minutes later and Richards won the ball in midfield, passed the ball to Coghlan who unleashed a shot from 30 yards which hit the post with the keeper beaten.

RCA were making their aerial supremacy count and it was no suprise when Davison made it 4-0 when he headed in a cross from Davies. The same player then headed over the bar after some good work by Richards. He made amends a minute later when he received the ball from Richards on the 18 yard line with his back to goal, turned and fired a shot into the bottom corner to make it 5-0.

Hebburn scored in the 44th minute when a rare lapse in the RCA defence allowed Myers in and he passed to Gordon who fired into the net.

Hebburn started the second half a lot better than the first and had two goal attempts in as many minutes with McMann firing wide and then over the bar from 10 yards out. However, the difference in the finishing was highlighted when Davison completed his hat trick, rising above everybody else, to power a header into the net. Not to be outdone, McBryde picked up a through ball from Richards, burst between two players before burying the ball in the Hebburn net for his hat trick. The night was complete when yet another cross from the right was headed home from close range by Davison for his fourth and RCA's 8th.

A thoroughly impressive team performance on a special night for the club.

29 August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

Sunderland RCA kept up the 100% record in the second division with a hard fought victory over a spirited Birtley Town team.

Birtley Town without a number of key players started well and were unlucky not to score in the first 5 minutes when Brown had a shot deflected wide for a corner. Johnson then fired well wide when in a dangerous position.

RCA seemed to take an age to adjust to the pace of the opposition, but when they did a quick passing move between Coghlan and Richards resulted in a cross that brought a great save by Regan from a Davison header. Birtley counter attacked and only a great save from Hoggeth denied Terrell.

After 20 minutes Birtley were awarded a corner and when the ball came in the header by Armstrong hit Coghlan who was on the goal line and was cleared to Jones who found McBryde with an inch perfect ball and his finishing was clinical. RCA 1-0 up against the run of play.

Within a minute Davison had another header saved by Regan. RCA were starting to put some good moves together and were causing the Birtley defence problems with balls into the box. It was Birtley who almost equalised next when the ever dangerous Terrell fired in a shot which was turned round th epost by Hoggett.

Regan in the Birtley goal was called upon again after 30 minutes and saved with his feet from Davison. Stewart fired over the bar a minute later when in a good position. There was little Regan could do about the second goal when Davison rose high above the Birtley defence to powerfully head home a Coghlan freekick.

In the early part of the second half RCA took control of the midfield and started to play the sort of football we Know they are capable of. McBryde was unlucky with a shot that went wide and a Davison header flashed just over the bar. A surging run from Coghlan saw him almost score, but the final shot was straight at Regan.

It was however Birtley who came nearest to scoring when substitute Hughes went on a solo run, cutting in from the right wing he unleashed a terrific shot which struck the post before rebounding to safety. A minutes later and Brown shot tamely wide from a very promising position.

McLeod finally killed the game off when he headed in at the far post from a corner after 76 minutes.

Birtley responded with some good football, but RCA's defence, ably led by Wardle, coped with everything that was thrownn at them in the final 10 minutes.

The difference between the two teams today was the clinical finishing of RCA.

31 August 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

Sunderland RCA were looking to stretch their record start to the season with a sixth successive victory at local rivals Seaham Red Star FC. As local derbies go, this was not a classic, but it did produce a tension packed afternoon which saw both teams playing flowing attacking football.

Seaham Red Star, after their 2 -1 defeat last week, were looking for a return to winning ways and started this match playing some good attractive football. However it was RCA who had the first real chance of the game when Davison fired in a shot which was well saved by Thackeray.

Red Star were unlucky when Winspear broke down the right and his cross was met by Hugill but his shot was blocked by Wardle.

The game became bogged down in midfield and both defences seemed to be coping with any long balls into the box. There was also a strong gusty wind which spoiled some enterprising moves by both teams with the ball either running away from players or holding up in the wind.

RCA took the lead when Stewart was unceremoniously dragged to the ground by Linighan and Davison stepped up to blast the penalty home.

Hugill broke through in the 40th minute but fired his shot wide and Winspear and Hugil combined once again to trouble the RCA defence before Winspear fired straight at Hoggeth.

RCA almost went further ahead when a shot from McBryde was saved by Thackeray.

The second half saw RCA looking more composed and looking to pass the ball while Red Star continued to pressure the ball in an attempt to upset the play.

Red Star equalised when a long cross field ball from Winspear found Croft in acres of space and with Hoggeth out of position he crossed the ball for Hugill to ram home.

Minutes later and another cross from the same wing beat everyone and went out for a goal kick.

RCA came back into the game with Stewart now operating on the right and causing plenty of problems with a succession of crosses which were well dealt with by Laidler. Both McBryde and Davison had chances to score and only some brave goalkeeping stopped McBryde from scoring at the near post.

As the game entered the final minutes there was some frantic defending by Red Star as they repelled a succession of RCA attacks.

The deadlock was broken in the 92nd minute when a freekick was awarded 45 yards out, Jones crossed into the box and Davison rose above everyone to head home.