Saturday, 5 February 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Click here for a slideshow of photos from the match
Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon made a couple of changes from the side who knocked neighbours South Shields out of the League Cup in midweek for the visit of Billingham Town. Carl Beasley, Scott Richards, Keith Graydon and Martin Smith all returned with Richie Logan missing and Harrison Davies, Leon Carling and Michael Dalton all dropping to the bench.
The match began at an energetic pace with RCA attacking from the off. After a couple of wasted openings RCA took the lead through John Toft. With the ball played into him on the left, Toft, foraged down the flank, cut back inside to create an opening for himself and found a low finish that beat James Briggs in the Billingham Town goal.
Billingham Town hit back almost immediately. The ball into the box caused the RCA defence problems and James Middleton was able to finish to level the scores.
Despite the set back RCA were still on top and in a spell of extended pressure chances presented themselves to both Toft and Martin Smith but neither was able to take advantage. RCA would restore their lead after 17 minutes. A Graydon delivery hung invitingly between goalkeeper and defence and Beasley came in at the back post to head his fifth goal of the season.
The centre of the RCA midfield had control of the game. Richard was breaking up the Billingham Town attacks and feeding the ball into Chris Smith, who was stepping in from the left, and Graydon to orchestrate the tempo of play. Graydon would be rewarded with his first goal just before the half hour mark with a strike that gave Briggs no chance.
Six minutes later Graydon had his second. Picking the ball up deep Graydon exchanged a series off passes with Richards and Martin Smith in an interchange that split open the Billingham Town defence. Carrying on his run into the box Graydon stepped passed the last challenge and finished clinically into the bottom corner.
Feeling comfortable RCA took their foot off the accelerator and allowed Billingham Town periods of possession. Just before the interval Oates stepped out of defence and went through the back of the Billingham player in a pointless attempt to win the ball. It was an easy decision for Referee Mr. M. Coy who signalled for a freekick. As Oates ran to get back into position the ball was whipped into the area and in an attempt to atone for the mistake which gave away the freekick Oates stretched to intercept the low delivery but he could only turn the ball into the back of his own net.
RCA came out for the second half looking for another goal to put the game to bed. In a fluid passing movement RCA split the Billingham defence open. Martin Smith ran in behind, latching onto the perfectly weighted pass, and delivered a telling ball inbetween goalkeeper and defence. Joe Walton got in front off his marker at the back post and fired the ball goalwards but scrambling across the line Briggs made an excellent save.
RCA forced a series of outstanding saves from Briggs in the second half but Billingham Town were creating chances of their own and if they could get a third goal RCA would be put under pressure. Stephen Flockett scored Billingham’s third but the timing of the goal was significant. With only four minutes of regular time remaining Flockett found space in the RCA 18-yard area and his finish gave Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal no chance.
Billingham Town attempted to pressurise in the remaining moments of the game but RCA held out comfortably to claim three points from a high scoring game that seemed to reflect events that was happening all over football that weekend.
