Newcastle Benfield 5 Sunderland RCA 0

Saturday, 7 August 2010

skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match.

RCA started their Northern League Division 1 campaign at Newcastle Benfield with a largely new team - only four of the starting 11 had figured in RCA's promotion winning side last season - and a tough ask against 2009-10 Division 1 fifth-placed finishers Newcastle Benfield.

RCA made a bright start, with new signing Jim Farrell having two early chances. Another new signing, the lively and combative Ritchie Hodgson was booked on 20 minutes.

The RCA defence was bypassed for Guy Bates to run through the middle and coolly slot past the exposed RCA keeper, Craig Shields.

RCA heads did not fall because of this set back and a Hodgson drive was parried by the Benfield keeper on 38 minutes.

RCA went in at half time a goal down. It has been a good half, but there had been ominous signs of just how sharp Benfield were up front; although RCA had edged chances, with Hodgson's drive the pick.

RCA started the second half well, with good pressure and chances created, but on 65 minutes went two down when Colin Paxton found himself unchallenged in the RCA penalty to send a looping header into the corner of the net.

The away side were showing few signs of making headway now and manager Hixon reacted with a double substitution on 72 minutes bringing on Gav Parkin and Matty Hyson for winger Tony Coe and the hard-working Darren Kokes. On 75 minutes Harrison Davies was brought on for Jim Farrell.

Shortly after, Benfield scored their third from John Campbell, who netted again on 85 minutes. Two minutes later Guy Bates got his brace when given enough time and space to rifle a rasping shot into the top corner, giving Craig Shields no chance.

This was a tough welcome back to the Northern League First Division. The balance of play was not reflected in the score line, but RCA know that taking chances and better tightness at the back are going to be the first two points on the training ground.