Saturday, 1 May 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 2

Sunderland RCA finished off their promotion winning campaign with a below par performance against the team who we played in the first game of the season.

The first 20 minutes of this encounter were very even with neither keeper being tested and the game bogged down in midfield. RCA then got on top and Stewart was unlucky when he cut inside his defender and unleashed a shot which went narrowly over the bar. Minutes later and McBryde set up Kokes, but his shot was saved by Little. On 30 minutes the Gillford keeper was called into action again when he tipped a Stewart free kick over the bar.

Having weathered the storm Gillford got back into the game and Johnstone fired over before Hoggeth was tested for the first time when a low shot from Riding was well saved.

RCA upped the tempo at the start of the second half and looked to be well on top in the opening ten minutes, but the combination of poor finishing and some good defending left them without a goal and in the 68th minute they were punished when a back pass from Hyson bounced awkwardly and Hoggeth was forced to head clear, however the ball went directly to Grainger who fired into an empty net from 25 yards out.

RCA were forced onto the back foot as Gillford took heart from the goal and Hoggeth brought off a world class save to deny Addison who was sent clear by johnstone. The game then fizzled out with little else of note and the celebrations began.

A special mention to the committee, players and supporters of Gillford Park FC for making our first visit to The Gillford Park Stadium a very enjoyable one obviously the result was not what we wanted, but everything else was excellent.