Under 18 Eye Infirmary Cup Semi Final
Saturday 2 May 2009
Well the busy schedule caught up with the U18 squad and only 13 players were available for today's Eye Infirmary Cup Semi Final against League Champions Chester-le-Street.
In a very tight first half it was possibly RCA who shaded possession with both forward lines very alive and some excellent attacking football on offer.
Chester-le-Street took the lead through a cool finish by Aiston after 25 mins.
After 35 minutes RCA were pushing to equalise, but then one of the bizarre incidents of the season occurred. After a stoppage through a player injury the referee awarded a bounce ball on the edge of the Chester-le-Street box. Lee Andrews standing opposite a Chester-le-Street defender must have thought his opponent was going to challenge and instead of passing to the keeper overhit the ball which flew straight into the back of the net. The referee awarded the goal and immediately booked Andrews. 1 - 1 and real confusion. From the kick off RCA allowed Aiston to walk through from centre circle to goal to restore the balance and common sense to the game. 2 - 1 to Chester at half time.
The second half continued at a fast pace and on 65 minutes it was Aiston again who finished off a great five man move to despatch the ball well from just inside the RCA box. RCA upped the ante and had plenty of opportunities before Andrews scored the goal of the game on 80 minutes. Chester shut up shop and it was they that booked their place in the Final.
Two semis lost by RCA in a week and only the big one left the County Cup Final on Tuesday 5 May. A nostalgic date in that being the famous SAFC 1973 FA Cup win. Let's hope it's our night!
- Printer-friendly version
- Log in or register to post comments