Willington 1 Sunderland RCA 3

Under 18s League

25 April 2009

The league runners up spot was at stake today with Willington needing a draw to secure second position, whilst RCA had to ensure victory to overtake them. Both teams were well up for it, with Willington edging possession in the first quarter of an hour and looking very dangerous from set pieces. Pickering in goal for RCA had to be alert and saved well in a one-on-one with the Willington number 10.

RCA began to get into their stride after 20 minutes with Andrews breaking into the box and after getting past the keeper he shot into the side netting from a very acute angle. Minutes later Ashman fired in a free kick towards goal for RCA and Tench did very well in reaching the ball just inside the six-yard box, but hit his shot against the bar. However the good period of dominance was disturbed when Willington gained advantage from a corner on 25 minutes, the centre half heading home well to make it 1 - 0 to the home side. RCA upped the ante and really went at the home side and it was no surprise when Luke Page fired home a great volley from 25 yards to make it 1 - 1. Minutes later Ashman threw one of his specials into the box, Page flicked on into the six-yard box where Andrews, with his back to goal back, heeled the ball into the net. Massive celebrations and much more like it from RCA who held the 2 - 1 advantage at half time.

Willington pushed all out in the second half, looking to secure that important point, but RCA were not flustered and when the defence was breached Pickering was looking very assured in goal to deny the home side. RCA were looking more confident as the game wore on with Dunn at left back starting to get forward and support the attack. After 60 minutes RCA made possession and pressure count, winning successive corners one of which was delivered well to the back post by Robinson, where Tench headed back towards goal and this was met by Knight who put the ball past the keeper heading in from three yards. 3 - 1 to RCA and it was looking like runners up spot in the bag.

A few players' heads dropped in the Willington side and RCA had further great chances to extend the league both falling to Knight who hit over the bar in a one to one with the keeper. The same player should easily have done better when put through on 80 minutes when with the keeper to beat he shot weakly and this was smothered easily. RCA controlled the ball for the remainder of the game until the referee blew the final whistle. Celebrations from RCA and runners up spot achieved. After collecting only one point from the first three league games of the season the team has gone on to be undefeated in the next nine league matches. The undefeated run now stretches to 14 matches, which also includes 12 wins. Good times and good progress by RCA Youths with two semi finals and the County Cup final soon upon them!