Saturday, 22 January 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match
Sunderland RCA played host to last season’s league runners up when Shildon came to Meadow Park. RCA manager Neil Hixon named an unchanged side from the eleven that earned a comfortable 4-1 victory over Jarrow Roofing BCA in midweek.
Shildon began the game positively and in the opening stages looked the better side. Sam Gavie, who’s two goals had been crucial in beating RCA in the league meeting between the two sides earlier in the season, was looking dangerous down the Shildon right. His pace and quick feet, giving him the ability to either go down the flank or cut inside, was causing the RCA defence problems.
RCA’s main first half threat was coming from set pieces. Keith Graydon’s delivery in a 15 minute spell where RCA earned a number of corners and free kicks was excellent but RCA’s attacking presence in the Shildon box was unable to find the crucial touch.
Gavie would be the catalyst in Shildon’s opening goal. The winger carved his way into the RCA 18-yard box and went down after a push from Harrison Davies. Some of the spectators seemed to think it was a soft penalty claim but contact was made and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. Craig Price step up to take the penalty and converted the ball confidently past Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal.
As the second half began the balance of play was tight. A goal from RCA would give them the emphasis whereas the feeling was another Shildon goal may put the game to bed. Shildon created the first opening. Getting in behind Steve Jones Darren Hollingsworth found time to shoot. Hoggeth dived to cover his near side but the ball went out of play off the outside of the post.
Shildon’s second came just after the hour mark. Some resolute RCA defending sent the ball out of play for a corner. The outswinning delivery from the right hand side was deep and the RCA defence misjudged it. Jamie Harwood had hung unmarked at the far post and the ball landed at the perfect height for him to volley towards goal. The ball travelled through a crowd of players without anyone getting a significant touch before smuggling under Paul Talbot, who was guarding the post, and crossing the line.
The second goal did not dishearten RCA who, perhaps as a result, began to look a little more uninhibited in attack. A good spell of possession on the edge of the Shildon 18 yard box provided half chances for Smith, Logan and substitute John Toft but the Shildon defence was proving tough to break down.
RCA finally found an opening with around 20 minutes left on the clock. Joe Walton and Steve Jones linked up well down the RCA right and Walton committed the Shildon left back, cutting inside. Jones had carried on his run, into the space created by Walton, and found himself behind the Shildon backline as the ball spun over. Keith Finch rushed off his line to close the angle down but Jones intelligently lifted the bouncing ball over the Shildon keeper in an excellent finish that halved the deficit.
The majority of the attacking threat was coming from RCA now. After a set piece was hazardly defended by the Shildon back four Carl Beasley, who had been hoping for a delivery to the back post, collected the ball. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and delivered a low cross into the box. The ball failed to beat the first Shildon defender who looked to have handled with his first, controlling touch but the referee waved away the adamant RCA protests.
RCA were finding a lot of possession in front of the Shildon defence but a clear-cut chance still eluded them. Chris Smith, who had come on to replace Davies nearly levelled things late on. Passing the ball around the hard working Shildon midfield Graydon moved the ball out to Smith on the left. Keeping the ball close to his feet he stepped away from the first challenge and cut inside. Smith launched a curling effort towards the far post that forced an excellent save from Finch.
Despite the pressure RCA were unable to find the equaliser and the visitors held on for all three points.
