Saturday, 8 January 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
After eight weeks without any action in the Northern League and seven weeks since their last competitive fixture Sunderland RCA met South Shields for the first league game of 2011. With Richie Logan and Micky Coghlan suspended RCA manager Neil Hixon brought new signing Keith Graydon into the centre of midfield and John Ryan, off the back of his hat-trick against Ryhope CW, into attack in an otherwise familiar looking RCA starting eleven.
South Shields began the game the better of the two sides looking less affected by the winter lay off. Passing the ball well in the centre of the park and looking stronger in possession South Shields pressured the RCA goal in the opening interchanges leaving RCA looking for an attacking outlet on the counter attack.
After Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal had made a couple of comfortable saves from long range efforts RCA created their first opening to test Jonathan Carmichael in the South Shields goal. Some decent wing play down the right gave Ryan the opportunity to fire on goal. His first attempt was saved by Carmichael who then inexplicably let the ball slip from his grasp. However, at the second attempt Ryan was unable to profit and the South Shields keeper smothered the loose ball.
South Shields opened the scoring after the 20 minute mark. Picking the ball up in the RCA half Christopher Winn ran at the RCA defence who stood off him. Reaching the edge of the area Winn stepped passed two attempted tackles before releasing an unconventional strike which bobbled past Hoggeth and caught the near post before rolling into the back of the net.
South Shields increased their lead 10 minutes later. A simple exchange of passes found Shields captain Lee Paul Scroggins inside the area and his sublime strike left Hoggeth with no chance.
Just before half time South Shields thought they had added a third when Stephen Ramsey placed the ball past Hoggeth. The goal however was quickly ruled out when the referee spotted the linesman’s early flag correctly indicating that Ramsey had been in an offside position. South Shields went in at the half with only a two goal advantage despite the ardent protests from the congregation of Shields supporters behind the goal.
RCA returned for the second half with a renewed impetus. They began to retain the ball better and a string of midfield passing moves was linked up in attack by half time substitute John Toft and Martin Smith who began to influence his presence on the game.
The early introduction of David Duke for Scott Richard helped RCA use Joe Walton and Harrison Davies to greater effect. Walton would be presented with RCA first clear opening of the game. A whipped ball across goal from Smith was met by Walton at the back post his strike beat the scrambling Carmichael but not Duncan O’Brien who hacked the ball away off the line.
RCA began to exploit the flanks Walton provided the outlet this time. Out pacing his marker and getting to the byline Walton looked up and picked the perfect ball across goal with defenders and goalkeeper afraid to make contact. Davies, in space in the six yard box and with the goal at his mercy, had time to pick his spot but his tame effort was straight at O’Brien who again cleared the ball off the line.
RCA perhaps felt this wasn’t going to be their day as opportunities for Toft, Davies and Walton were missed and loose handling from Carmichael in the six yard area was again failed to be taken advantage of.
Comfortable with their lead South Shields had resorted to attacking on the counter in the second half. It was an instinctive breakaway with 10 minutes remaining that led to Shields best opportunity of the half. With men committed Shields exposed the space down the right flank and a floated cross was met powerfully on the edge of the area by Scroggins who would have claimed his second of the match had it not been an excellent tip over from Hoggeth.
RCA finally got the goal their second half pressure deserved when Walton connected with a ball in from Smith with three minutes of the 90 remaining. RCA continued to push but the final chance remained elusive.
Over the balance of play RCA will perhaps feel they deserved a draw however a strong South Shields team punished the home sides slow start.
