Tuesday, 18 January 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Jarrow Roofing were the visitors to Meadow Park for Sunderland RCA’s first home evening fixture of the new year. Looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat to Jarrow Roofing earlier in the season Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon made one change from the starting line-up that picked up a point away to Stokesley at the weekend. David Duke dropped to the bench to be replaced by Keith Graydon in the centre of midfield.
RCA looked bright early on taking the game to Jarrow Roofing. Building the attacks up from the back RCA looked to work the ball out to Joe Walton on the right flank. In a warning of things to come a threaded ball between Jamie Marshall and Daniel Kirkup allowed Walton to use his pace to get in behind the Jarrow Roofing defence. His first touch took Marshall out of the game but the ball into the box was defended well.
Walton was again the outlet minutes later and this time he made Jarrow Roofing pay. James Oates, operating in an advanced midfield position, slipped a perfectly weighted ball through the Jarrow Roofing defence. With a clever run, outside to in, Walton found himself bearing down on goal and he applied the finish, drilling the ball passed Gary Frater into the bottom corner.
RCA continued to expose Jarrow Roofing down the flanks with Walton now knowing he had the better of his man. In a clever interchange with Richie Logan Walton again found himself in a crossing position and, with time to look up, he drilled a low ball across the six-yard box with RCA players in good positions. The cross fell invitingly for Harrison Davies to convert but he somehow missed his kick and the ball ran in between his legs.
When in possession Jarrow Roofing endeavoured to provide an attacking threat especially with RCA only holding a slender lead. However, despite looking confident with the ball they rarely looked like troubling the central defensive partnership of Carl Beasley and Leon Carling. Jarrow Roofing’s major opening came just after the 20 minute mark when a RCA defensive header fell invitingly on the edge of the area. Michael Armstrong was able to get the shot away which beat Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal but not the crossbar, rebounding back off the upright.
Walton again was the provider just after the half hour mark but his dangerous ball into the box was smuggled away by the Jarrow Roofing defence. Davies went to the opposite flank to take the corner and his inswinging ball was perfect for Beasley to rise at the far post and head goalwards. Beasley’s effort beat Frater and looked to have doubled RCA’s lead before the defender on the post hooked the ball back from behind him and away. RCA were convinced the ball had crossed the line, as were the supporters in line with the action. The dejected expression on the Jarrow Roofing players close to the incident suggested they too thought the effort had registered the only people unconvinced seemingly were the officials who allowed play to go on.
RCA continued to use the flanks to good effect, Davies beat Jarrow Roofing right back Arron Croft to cut into the 18-yard box but his cross was charged down for a corner. Graydon put the corner into the near post for Logan to get the flick. But, as the ball passed across the face of goal no one was able to get the decisive touch and after having much of the possession RCA went in at the break with a slender one goal lead.
Returning after the interval Jarrow Roofing looked to make an impact on proceedings attempting to attack from the off. They kept possession well in spells but rarely threatened the RCA goal and by the time Walton raced through on goal again it looked difficult to see a way back into the game for them. Walton’s second was an almost carven copy of his first. The ball, slid inside the full back allowed him to cut inside taking the ball in his stride and finish emphatically.
Five minute later Logan got the goal that his overall play had deserved. Logan had looked impressive all evening committing the Jarrow Roofing defence with pace, skill and power. After missing an easier chance moments earlier firing straight at the keeper from a Walton cross Logan headed RCA’s third of the night to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal.
Credit to Jarrow Roofing they continued to search for a way back into the match and when RCA substitute Chris Smith needlessly gave the ball away on the edge of his own box Jarrow Roofing sub Peter Watling was able to take advantage, finishing smartly passed Hoggeth.
RCA rounded off the night with something special from Logan. Shrugging of a challenge the forward cut in his the left, step passed a defender on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the roof of the net giving Frater no chance.
RCA comfortably saw out the final few minutes to record a deserved win that keeps them positioned safely around the middle of the table.
