New Hartley 1 Sunderland RCA 3
Under 18 Durham County Youth Cup Final
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Well the final game of the season for Sunderland RCA Under 18s and a very big one in the Durham Youth Cup Final. The whole squad (19 in total that has been utilised for the last few months) were available for selection and the management had the toughest decision of the season to make with only 16 allowed to make the team sheet and then picking the starting eleven. Whatever lay ahead all squad members were congratulated on what has been a great squad effort and an excellent season in finishing County South League runners up. No one will forget that 14 game unbeaten run, starting early November and lasting until the last week of April. The record will take some beating! Behind us now though and one final push tonight with the major prize of the County Youth Cup up for grabs.
The Harton and Westoe arena was idyllic other than for an increasing breeze, which RCA captain Chris Bailey on winning the toss elected to defend. However it was RCA who opened with attacking intentions and clearly they were up for what was going to be a tough encounter. The early exchanges saw commitment in all areas as both teams looked to stamp authority. On eight minutes some great passing between Bailey and Page in the centre allowed space for Tench wide right who played an excellent ball up the line to Page again. He showed great acceleration racing into the box and deceiving the left back in feigning a cross with his right foot he turned inside and hit a great shot with his left into the far corner past the despairing New Hartley goalkeeper Zak Douglas. 1 - 0 to RCA with less than 10 minutes played. What a fantastic start.
New Hartley were most definitely unsettled now and RCA top scorer Andrews, when played in by his forward partner Robinson, could have made it two when put clear after quarter of an hour, however he lifted the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat. New Hartley weathered the storm and started to apply good pressure with their central midfielder Chris Moffet influencing some good forward movement. After winning successive corners the Hartley central defender Joe Berry headed strongly towards goal and Pickering in goal for RCA was relieved to see this clear the bar. After the half hour New Hartley were really making progress and utilising the strong breeze at their backs. RCA were defending strongly though and it was a real surprise when there seemed little on, when New Hartley number 10 Alex Mathieson hit a real screamer from 30 yards which flew into the top corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. 1 - 1 and game on. New Hartley upped the ante and Pickering had to make an excellent stop from centre forward Jamie Heathcote minutes later . However RCA showed no signs of dejection and took the game again back to New Hartley and Robinson and Andrews created half chances again which kept the New Hartley keeper on his toes. The referee blew for half time with RCA after defending strong wind conditions still having a spring in their stride as they left the field.
RCA went straight at New Hartley after the second half kicked off and New Hartley were tested at the back conceding throw ins in quick succession. Ashman who had proved a threat to Hartley many times in the first half, then threw one of his specials right into the 6 yard box and the flight of the ball deceived the keeper who finger tipped the ball before a covering defender headed into the goal right on the line. Unspectacular, but 2-1 to RCA and real wind in the sails. New Hartley pushed again, but the RCA back four of Dunn, Moon, Ashman and Gamble were very resilient and they were eliminating danger very quickly. After 60 minutes RCA were making the most of counter attack opportunities and after some good play down the right Tench hit an excellent effort from 16 yards just over the bar. Jordan Hardy was providing good midfield cover to the RCA defence allowing Page and Bailey more chances to move forward. The game could have been sown up when Andrews was freed and the keeper pulled off an excellent save from him on 75 minutes. New Hartley gave a final push in the latter stages, but it was RCA who counter attacked down the right, Tench freeing Robinson down the right who raced into the box and although challenged he hit a great effort across the keeper to make it 3- 1 and game over on 85 minutes.
Reynolds and Knight came on to replace Andrews and Robinson on 86 minutes. The clock was run down and the referee blew. Joy from the RCA players as they gathered to congratulate one another. The first ever County Cup win that the club has had at any level and just rewards for some great efforts during 2008/09. Good prospects on show, six of the squad being eligible for next year's Youth side whilst a few of the older lads will be joining the first team camp for next season . A good base is in place for the SRCA project.