Tuesday, 15 February 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Sunderland RCA went down by 4-1 to Newcastle Benfield last night at Meadow Park in a game that was a lot closer than the result suggests. RCA manager Neil Hixon made two changes to the side that lost away at South Shields at the weekend with Michael Dalton replacing Chris Smith and Paul Taylor coming in for Richie Logan up front.
Newcastle Benfield started adventurously, attacking from the off, but the RCA defence was solid weathering the early storm. Getting the ball down RCA looked comfortable in possession and began giving Newcastle Benfield some defensive problems of their own.
RCA opened the scoring when a well-worked interchange of passes down the left flank opened up the Newcastle Benfield defence. Keith Graydon provided the pass for Harrison Davies who was able to get in behind and finish past Andrew Grainger in the Newcastle Benfield goal.
Moments later Taylor was put through, sprinting in behind the Newcastle Benfield defence. Taylor rounded the onrushing Grainger and, slightly off balance, turned the ball goalwards with his left foot. His shot was weak though and the covering Newcastle Benfield defender was able to clear the ball to safety.
Both sides continued to control possession well for the rest of the half with RCA creating the better of the chance before the referee blew for the interval.
Newcastle Benfield equalised immediately after the restart. An incisive attack presented Adam Rowntree with the opportunity and he made no mistake finishing in the bottom corner.
The goal was a set back for RCA but they continued to look threatening with the Newcastle Benfield defence struggling to deal with balls over the top as John Toft, Joe Walton and Taylor looking to profit. It would be Taylor who would have the best chance to resort RCA’s lead. Shrugging off the challenge of Phil Lumsden Taylor dashed in behind the Newcastle Benfield defence latching onto the long ball. With Grainger advancing Taylor delicately lifted the ball over the Newcastle Benfield goalkeeper. Destined for the back of the net the ball landed in the heavily muddy goalmouth and stuck as the surface took all of the power out of it giving the defence the chance to clear.
RCA had looked the more likely to score through the second period keeping Newcastle Benfield down to some excellent attempts from range including one from Paul Anthony that Gary Hoggeth in the RCA goal tipped onto the bar.
A couple of challenges in the middle of the park which should have been pulled up for a freekicks led to the penalty incident when Scott Fenwick went down under the challenge of the outcoming Hoggeth. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Anthony stepped up to convert the penalty giving Newcastle Benfield the lead.
As RCA attacked looking for the equaliser Newcastle Benfield found holes in the defence. Rowntree added his second just before the end of the 90 and in stoppage time Simon Bell got Newcastle Benfield’s fourth securing all three points.
