7 November 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

"Funny old game is football", 0-0 at half time and Jarrow could have been 3 - 1 up, with 15 minutes to go RCA are 3 - 1 up and look to be coasting and then Jarrow respond and the match ends 3 - 3. Take nothing away from both teams, if you were a neutral you would probably have enjoyed it. However this was a game that was thrown away by RCA and two valuable points dropped.

Sunderland RCA welcomed third placed Jarrow Roofing to Meadow Park in this top of the table clash.

Jarrow took advantage of the slope in the first half and were immediately on the attack with Nelson slipping a ball in to Houghton who fired wide.

RCA's first effort was a header by Taylor which went wide. The game was being played at a furious pace and both teams were looking to attack, however the defences of both teams were holding strong. A good run by Hepple found him clear of the RCA defence, but his shot flew over the bar. A minute later and Hughes jinxed into the box, but his cross shot went across the face of goal and narrowly wide.

RCA weathered the storm and came back at Jarrow a shot from Stewart was well saved by Frater two minutes later Taylor found himself free on the right, he cut inside but his effort went wide.

Hoggeth was called into action to save a Kevin Davison freekick and in the last minute of the half a Halliday cross was headed over the bar by Davison.

RCA started the second half on fire and looked to have caught Jarrow cold. A cross from Noble was headed home by Davison after 50 minutes and on 53 minutes a cross from Taylor caused a mix up in the box and Halliday was the quickest to react stabbing the ball into the net.

Jarrow fought back and were rewarded when Nelson found the net after some good work by Hughes.

RCA went 3 - 1 up when a shot from 20 yards out by Davison took a deflection and ended up in the net. Within two minutes the score was 3 - 2 when Jarrow were awarded a penalty and Kevin Davison converted, sending Hoggeth the wrong way. Immediately from the kick off RCA attacked and Mark Davison was unlucky not to deliver his hat trick, but his shot was saved by Frater.

In the 80th minute a cross from Hepplewhite was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Wardle.

The match ended 3 -3 but both Stewart and Noble will be added to RCA's long injury list.

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup Round Two

As other Northern League Cup fixtures fell by the wayside this evening, due to waterlogged pitches, we were very pleased to be at Hebburn Sports Club tonight on a pitch that showed up very well on arrival. Several members of the RCA squad were more than happy that the game was going ahead. U18 Youth players - goalkeeper Graeme Pickering plus defenders Liam Dunn, Marc Moon with midfielders Jonny Davis and Ryan Mather all being called up for their second taste of first team action in a month. New signing, forward Peter Benson was also selected to make his debut for the team. Club Captain Scott Richards was also back in the squad for the first time in over a month.

Pickering, Dunn and Davis made it to the starting eleven and it was pleasing to see Wayne Henderson also in the line up having been out of competitive action since August. Centre midfielder Michael Coghlan also started for the first time in a few weeks, having fully recovered from injury.

The level of buoyancy from RCA was transferred straight into the game and after kicking off, the visitors immediately made progress into the Hebburn half. In the second minute Wayne Henderson played a ball through the centre that split the Hebburn defence wide open and the league’s current top scorer Mark Davison was on it quick wasting no time, hitting a great 25 yard effort that Kevin Duncan in goal, dived to his left glancing the ball onto the post. RCA’s first corner and when Steven Stewart hit the centre in, the ball was half cleared to the same player this time he beat the full back then pulled the ball across for Benson who calmly swept the ball home. A real lively start continued as minutes later Dunn from right full back played Benson in again, beating the offside trap he hit an early shot from distance that went a yard past the post. Hebburn responded for the first time after 10 minutes, midfielder Keith Oliver linking with forward Shaun Carroll who running onto goal was only thwarted by a great last ditch tackle from Paul Wardle. Coghlan in midfield for RCA was showing great energy and after several passes were exchanged in midfield, the same player received the ball out wide right. Well even David Beckham couldn’t have hit a cross field pass like it, 60 yards at least over the head of the left fullback where Stewart took down superbly before playing Davison in on the edge of the box and he slotted home with aplomb. 2 – 0 to RCA and celebrations all round. Hebburn were fighting hard to keep in contention and minutes later a further cross was delivered into Davison who rose well but headed over. The home side regrouped and some good play down the right from Karl McMann ended up with a fine delivery that Graeme Matthewson hit on the volley just wide of the post. However after 25 minutes RCA moved downfield and again Stewart was the antagonist, turning defenders both ways before hitting a raking cross which Davison got up and despatched his header into the net. 3 – 0 and Hebburn supporters must have been thinking lightning could happen twice, with memories of the RCA 8 – 1 rout in August flooding back.

The game really opened up now and the end to end play really entertained the supporters. After Hebburn again moved down the right a further cross was met by Willie Crew who headed wide. In a counter attack on 35 minutes, Hebburn moved down the left where the fullback and winger appear to get in each others way forcing the ball out of play. The official flagged for a home throw and whilst the RCA players stopped to appeal, the full back threw the ball over the defence and Carroll raced into the box and coolly slotted home. Chaos for a short period and a couple of bookings ensued which were not in line with the general flow of the game. The game could have been put out of sight by RCA when Coghlan done all the hard work playing a one two to beat the last line of defence but racing through he slotted over with only keeper to beat. Davison headed wide minutes later. As half time approached though it was Hebburn who nearly scored again when out of nothing number 9 Michael Armstrong reached a loose ball on the edge of the box and stretching, he toe poked the ball goalwards and it spun off the turf, changing slight direction and Pickering threw up an arm to deflect onto the post. The referee blew the whistle to end a half that had management scratching heads, but was more than entertaining for the neutral.

RCA returned to the field with youth player Marc Moon taking over at right back with Dunn moving to centre back replacing Henderson. Again the end to end play was the format. RCA winning early corners before the home side attacked down the right, full back McMann exchanging passes with Crew before moving into the box and hitting a great effort that Pickering in goal blocked well. Niall McCardle at left back cut out consecutive attacks minutes after. RCA lifted their game again and a great 6 man move ended up freeing Noble who raced onto goal but hit his effort well clear of the bar. Richards came onto replace Davis for RCA on the hour mark as both teams looked to control play. Oliver was booked for Hebburn and then Richards appeared to be harshly treated with a yellow which was in fact his first challenge of the match. Ryan Mather replaced Stewart to take the tally to five U18 players on the pitch as RCA looked to finish off the game. The next attack was by RCA down the left and a great cross to the back post found Mather who headed well but wide of the target.

The last 10 minutes saw a period as open as any other part of the game and whilst goals looked likely at either end it was Hebburn who netted again, a ball from wide right was hit into the box and Carroll raced in to flick the ball over the keeper for his second goal. 2 – 3 and the cup tie alive again. Richards was still driving forward and had three efforts on goal in the final minutes the best of which curling and smashing the bar with the keeper well beaten. Not to be outdone though the home side rallied for a final time and substitute Gary Dadd nearly took the tie to extra time racing in to hit a cracking 20 yard effort that also hit the angle.

A good cup tie was ended after 95 minutes and the result sees RCA take their place in the last 8 of a competition that they have been losing finalists in the last two seasons. Manager Neil Hixon admits the main priority is Promotion this year and resources will be aimed at keeping the team at the top of the league. Neutrals will be looking forward to more open cup ties such as this – the next one at home in the League Cup against First Division Shildon on Nov 25th ko 7.30 ko. Get your ticket quick – it will certainly be value for money!

21 November 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Div II

Whilst this was not classic by any stretch of the imagination it was another workmanlike performance and three points well earned. The two goal inside the first 20 minutes killed the game off and for all their endeavours Washington could not break down a resolute RCA Defence.

The game started in dramatic fashion when RCA took the lead after just 45 seconds, Paul Taylor, marking his first game back after injury, with a well taken goal when he pounced on a through ball from Davison before sliding the ball past the advancing Starford.

Washington could have been 2 - 0 down inside five minutes if Davison had been able to get on the end of a cross from Stewart as the ball sailed across the six yard box.

In the eighth minutes Lee Smith intercepted a pass inside the RCA half and unleashed a terrific strike from 25 yards out which hit the post.

RCA were starting to make inroads into the heart of the Washington defence and only some good defending by Lowden denied Halliday after some good work from Noble. A cross from Stewart was turned over the bar by Coghlan, but the same player made amends a minute later when a long clearance from Hoggeth was headed on by Davison to Taylor who threaded a pass to Coghlan who proceeded to chip the ball over Starford and into the net.

RCA were rampant at this stage of the game and Starford was called into action to parry a shot from Stewart.

Washington came more into the game in the final five minutes of the half, but Hoggeth in the RCA goal never had a shot to save.

Within three minutes of the restart Micky Coghlan limped off with a rib injury, which will probably keep him out of the mid week match against Shildon.

Smith had a decent chance to reduce the lead when he went on a mazy run beating three players before a great covering tackle from McGuinness stopped him getting in a shot. At the other end RCA were awarded a freekick and Stewart found Davison at the far post but his header was well saved by Starford.

RCA were dominating the midfield and looked likely to score on any number of occassions only for the final pass or shot to go awry. With 70 minutes gone a pass from McGuinness found Noble who turned the ball infield for Davison who hit a terrific shot which was brilliantly saved by the keeper. Minutes later Halliday burst into the box and looked odds on to score, but fired wide. Washington rallied and as RCA looked to tire they hit them on the break and both Hodgson and Donnelly had good opportunities but fired wide.

Their first shot on target in the second half came when Donnelly fired straight at Hoggeth in the 85th minute.

Special mention should go to the ground staff for presenting the best Meadow Park surface for many a year; it looks in extremely good nick.

25 November 2009

Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup

Sunderland RCA suffered their worst defeat of the season at home to Shildon in the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup last night. A slick Shildon outfit killed off this tie in the first half with a scintillating display of football and some clinical finishing which left RCA with a mountain to climb in the second half. RCA probably shaded an entertaining second half but once again the finishing of Shildon's Andrew Johnson, who completed his hattrick, was the difference between the two teams.

Shildon looked comfortable from the start of this match with some slick fast passing which had RCA at sixes and sevens. The only surprise was that it took 12 minutes for them to register their first shot at goal when Lee Chapman fired in a shot which went narrowly wide. It only took another minute for them to take the lead when Johnson drove the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards out. Within a minute they went 2 - 0 up when Johnson intercepted a defensive pass before finding Bell who hit another low shot into the same corner.

RCA were finding it difficult to create anything of note and there only shot on target was a header from Davison which looped into the arms of Finch. Stephen Halliday also had a half chance, but shot wide.

On 38 minutes Chris Bell, with a long ball from inside his own half set Andy Johnson free to run through and place the ball smoothly past Pickering to grab his second goal and make it 3 - 0 to Shildon.

In the second half RCA showed a lot more urgency and were unlucky not to pull one back when Shields crossed to the far post for Davison to power in a header which Finch did well to save at the second attempt.

RCA were, for the first time in the match, putting pressure on the back four of Shildon, but they were shaken in the 67 minute when Andy Johnson blasted home a right foot pile driver for Shildon's fourth goal and his hat-trick.

Both teams had further efforts on goal but none really trobled the respective goalkeepers until the 85th minute when Taylor was put through by Richards and the RCA sub sidefooted past Finch only to see the ball go narrowly wide of the far post.

28 November 2009

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

RCA fielded a strong team for today's visit to Northallerton and a tremendously exciting game ended all square 1 - 1.

The early exchanges were even with both teams trying to get the ball down and play football. After 10 minutes the home side's centre back Grant Hickman had to be stretchered off with a badly damaged knee after a clash with Scott Richards.

The first real chance of the game saw Mark Davison fail to get enough power onto a header in the 19th minute.

Northallerton had a couple of good opportunities, first Chillingworth was thwarted by good tackle by Wardle before Thompson pounced on a loose ball to fire wide.

A long period of passing by RCA ended with a good cross from Davis being headed wide by Paul Taylor on 24 minutes.

Northallerton responded with two corners in quick succesion and exerted real pressure on the RCA Defence before Davis broke away on a great run, rounded Kell, the keeper, but saw his shot cleared off the line by Dacombe. The loose ball was crossed back in by Richards and Shields gave RCA the lead with a smart header at the back post with 32 minutes gone.

Taylor had the ball in the net on 36 minutes but was pullled up for offside. In 44 minutes RCA had a close shave as from a Northallerton corner the ball was volleyed in by Butterworth, crashed off a post and was scrambled clear. The ref allowed eight extra minutes for stoppages, but RCA got through to half time with their 1 0 lead intact.

The second half started with RCA mistakes giving Northallerton dangerous possession but they were unable to make it count. On 50 minutes a good move lead to a RCA corner from which Davisons header was cleared off the line.

On 55 minutes Scott Richards drove a free kick just over the bar from wide right and a minute later Taylor was released but his shot lacked power and Kell saved easily.

The threatened equaliser arrived on the 57th minute when Holliday converted a Chillingworth cross from close range with a spectacular volley.

On 60 minutes Stewart replaced Shields wide right for RCA and made an immediate impact earning a freekick on the edge of the box when making a dangerous run.

The game was wide open now as Davison brought a good save from Kell before Northallerton had a goal ruled out for offside. Then in 71 minutes Stewart was brought down in the box, unfortunately Davison dragged the spot kick wide.

McBryde replaced Taylor for the last ten minutes as RCA pressed for the win and it looked like Davison had decided things but his towering header went agonisingly wide.

The last few minutes saw Northallerton clinging on desperately, but they saw it out for a well earned draw.