Saturday, 23 January 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

RCA gave home débuts to no fewer than four new players: Christoph Ascherl, Darren Kokes, Sean Davies and Martin O'Riordan. Having had no games since 12 December it was no surprise that the two teams took a little while to get into their stride, but when RCA got into gear they romped away with all three points.

The opening exchanges of this match was fairly even with both teams taking time to get their passing game together. It was Hebburn who had the first shot on goal when Myers, fired in a low shot which flashed narrowly wide of the upright. Hebburn took heart from this and won two corners in quick succession, but they were well dealt with by Henderson and Wardle in the heart of the RCA Defence.

RCA took the lead with their first real shot at goal when Steven Stewart blasted in a shot, which took a wicked deflection, past Rogers.

RCA seemed to step up a gear and Kokes brought a fantastic save from Rogers and an O'Riordan cross was headed over the bar by Davison.

The game took a dramatic turn when the Referee awarded two penalties in the space of two minutes and dismissed Gray for violent conduct.

Stewart converted the first penalty to make it 2-0, but rattled the bar with the second and Kokes, who reacted the quickest, fired over the bar.

O'Riordan started to get more involved in the game and was putting in some good crosses and from one a glancing header from Davison was somehow headed of the line by Cowell.

Hebburn continued to look for openings going forward and Crew had a good chance when he was put into space by Brocklehurst, but Hoggeth saved well from a weak effort.

In the 28th minute Davison, who was having one of those games where he was doing everything right, but the end product was just off target or saved by the keeper, headed over a Stewart cross.

On the half hour mark RCA went 3-0 up when another cross from O'Riordan was met at the far post by Davison who, unselfishly, headed it back across goal for Ascherl to head home from close range. RCA were well on top now and Hebburn's cause was not helped by an injury to Greenwell.

In the 38th minute Kokes scored when he burst past two defenders before firing past the advancing Rogers.

Hebburn were forced to reorganise at the back when the injured Greenwell did not appear for the second half and was replaced by Nesbitt. It was a familiar pattern with Hebburn taking the early initiative with both Brocklehurst and Crew going close in the opening five minutes of the second half.
However it was not long before O'Riordan and Stewart started to weave their respective magic on the wings and Davison was unlucky once again to see a header brilliantly saved by Rogers and a minute later a fierce 25 yarder from the same player went narrowly over the bar.

In the 60th minute the Davison was replaced by McBryde and only a good save from Rogers denied him a goal with his first touch.

In the 63rd minute Kokes dispossessed Nesbitt before rounding the keeper to score his second of the match.

Taylor and Coghlan replaced Kokes and Ascherl who had both given a good account of themselves in their debut matches.

McBryde scored to make it 6-0, when he combined with Taylor for a tap in at the far post.

Hebburn should have score a minute later when Willie Crew was clear with only the keeper to beat, but Hoggeth made a superb save diving at the feet of Crew. Within a minute RCA were caught again on the break and only a covering tackle from Henderson stopped another shot from Crew.

Late in the game RCA wrapped the game up when Taylor volleyed home from eight yards out and then in the dying minuters of the match McBryde found the net for his second and RCA's eighth.

26 January 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

Sunderland RCA super sub Liam McBryde came on to score a late goal and deny Seaham Red Star a share of the spoils in the entertaining derby clash. Over 100 spectators witnessed an exciting match, which was a credit to the Northern League but more importantly a credit to both clubs.

Sunderland RCA were forced to make one change, bringing in Scott Richards to replace club captain Stephen Halliday in midfield. Seaham Red Star were looking to build upon their impressive draw against Guisborough Town at the weekend and started this match in impressive style putting pressure on the RCA players with their pace and endeavour.

In the third minute Winspear went past the RCA defence only to see his effort fly wide of the upright. RCA countered with Stewart crossing for Davison who headed straight at Barlow in the Seaham goal. Within a minute a cross from the other wing delivered by O’Riordan was brought down by Kokes who fed the ball to Davison to fire in a shot that went inches wide. It was a cracking opening five minutes and for those who thought it couldn’t be sustained think again. The game was end-to-end entertainment with both teams contributing to a pulsating match. When a pinpoint pass from Bettson found Hume free inside the box it looked odds on that Seaham would take the lead, but a great cover challenge from Wardle sent the ball for a corner and from the subsequent kick Jack headed over.

RCA started to play some good football without really penetrating the Seaham defence, but after 20 minutes a 35 yards snap shot from Henderson almost caught them out but it cannoned off the outside of the post for a goal kick. Kokes was causing all sorts of problems, with his pace and movement upsetting the Seaham defence. On 25 minutes Kokes laid the ball into the path of Richards who hit a tremendous curling shot which hit the post and again went for a goal kick. In another game RCA could have been 2 – 0 up, but the Seaham goal seemed to have a charmed life. Seaham responded with some good football between Hume and Winspear, with the latter striking a great shot which produced an equally great save from Hoggeth.

The second half saw Seaham pick up the momentum in the opening five minutes and Hoggeth had to be at his best making saves from first Winspear and then Armes.

RCA were awarded freekick on the edge of the box and a well rehearsed move saw Stewart fire wide from Richards kick. Within a minute O’Riordan broke on the left and fired in a shot which went narrowly wide. At the other end Armes broke past Henderson and fired in across which was met by Hume and only a goalline clearance by Davies prevented Seaham taking the lead.

McBryde replaced Davison on 70 minutes and within six minutes had broken the deadlock. A corner from O’Riordan looked to have been cleared only for it to hit Wardle and rebound to O’Riordan who sent in a low cross which was met at the front post by McBryde to steer past the helpless Barlow. This lifted RCA and they were unlucky not to double the lead when McBryde sent Kokes clear, but his shot went narrowly wide.

Seaham to their credit never gave up, but as the two teams tired it was RCA who looked the stronger and although both teams had good moves neither keeper was really called upon to make a save in the final five minutes of the match. Whilst Seaham probably did deserve a draw on the night, it was RCA who took the spoils and moved towards their goal of promotion. With other results on the night going our way it is now in our hands.