Gateshead Redheugh 3 Sunderland RCA 2

Under 18s League Cup Semi Final

Wednesday 29 April 2009

It was a very long and lively night in the centre of Gateshead for tonight's League Cup Semi. The game scheduled to kick off at 6:30 finally kicked off at 6:45, the delay being caused by the request of an assistant referee that all supporters stand at least five yards away from the byeline. Could have been all sorted if the adjacent pitch with a perimeter barrier was used.

The opening 20 minutes were dominated by Redheugh who, adapting better to the conditions, were very direct and they were well worth the lead scored by Bragnell who followed up after a shot was pushed out by Graham in goal. RCA were struggling to play their normal football, but half chances were created for Reynolds and Knight who both hit efforts wide of the target. However improvements were showing and it was no surprise when the equaliser arrived when Reynolds hit home after a great through ball by Andrews. However immediately from the kick off the home side put four passes together before a ball pierced the RCA back four and Bloomfield ran on to hit a great shot from 22 yards. To make matters worse for RCA right before half time a corner kick was conceded on the left and when this was hit to the back post an unmarked Bragnell volleyed home from 6 yards. RCA 3 - 1 down and with it all to do.

Redheugh decided to adjust their game plan to defend only after the break and this enabled RCA to dominate from the off. Wave after wave of attack, but no end product until 70 minutes. Moon fed Page down the right who raced into the box hitting a good effort which the keeper pushed out to the onrushing Knight who hit home to reduce the deficit. All one way traffic and the home side were defending as if their lives depended on it. Numerous stoppages were now the call, the referee and his assistants meeting every few minutes to discuss the bad light, objects found on the pitch and other problems. However RCA were not going to surrender their unbeaten run lightly and on 80 minutes Ashman threw a long throw special into the box, defenders and attackers missed the ball and although the keeper appeared to touch when the ball went into the net, no goal was the call. Minutes later Moon hit a 25 yard screamer against the bar the ball falling agonisingly short of Knight following up. Free kick after free kick was conceded by the home side and on 85 minutes a terrific effort was hit on goal by RCA's Page and this was handled by a defender what looked like just inside the penalty area. The referee blew then again exchanged words with his assistant, on return though, a free kick was awarded right on the edge of the box. The drilled effort blocked again. Ashman was then sent off for a second bookable offence for disputing the previous decision.

The referee blew as Gateshead booked their place in the League Cup Final. If an equaliser had happened the game would have gone straight to penalties as there was no light now available to view. A controversial game, but fair play to the endeavour of the home side for going until the end. Unfortunately RCA's unbeaten 14 game run, started in November, is now over. Time to dust ourselves down for a very big Semi Final away to Chester-le-Street on Saturday.