Saturday, 21 August 2010
skilltrainingltd Northern League Division 1
Sunderland RCA entertained Consett today in a very competative match which RCA will feel they deserved to win and Consett will feel lucky that they earned a draw.
There was a cagey start to this game with both teams taking a good hard look at the opposition. Consett were the first to post their intentions when a long ball out of defence by Forster found Dickman in space but his shot was well saved by Pickering.
As both teams opened up there was some good football played in the centre of the park but it wasn't until the 13th minute that RCA had their first shot at goal when Coe was sent clear by Hodgson, but fired wide. Within tminutes the same combination found a way through the Consett defence, but this time Coe fired straight at Poskett.
Pickering was called into action at the other end but showed great composure when smothering a shot from Piecha with two forwards closing in.
The second half saw Fairish replace the injured Richards and he made an immediate impact. His enthusiasm was infectious and seemed to raise the performances of everyone around him.
In the 55th minute Fairish opened the scoring with a wonderful shot from 35 yards which was straight off the training ground, Hodgson running across goal stopped the ball and Fairish did the rest, this was a goal that coach George Herd was full of praise for.
However the lead did not last long as a Consett got back into the game with a well-worked goal. Hewitson pulled the ball back into the path of Piecha who buried the ball, via a deflection, into the bottom of the net.
Both sides had shouts for penalties which on another day might have been given and in the dying minutes a curling Hodgson corner hit the bar with Poskett beaten and the hardworking Fairish might have grabbed a winner, but his shot went over the bar.
Another very entertaining game which was a credit to the Northern League.