Sunday 27 February 2011
Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
Where to start? Another high scoring see-saw game saw RCA The Barnes climb out of the relegation area with a 7-4 victory at Silksworth.
After so many weeks without games it was hardly surprising that both teams were a little rusty, to say the least, but Silksworth started by far the better and RCA were unable to get their game going. Being without the suspended captain and mainstay of their defence, Phil Hall, RCA were all over the place in the first 30 minutes and were fortunate to be only one goal down, to a very dubious penalty.
However when RCA produced their forst really decent bit of football after 35 minutes, it saw David Newby get to the byline and pull the ball back for Willie Crew to tap in, and two mins later it got even better when a Jonny Davis corner was met by debutant Lee Harrison and his header looped into the top left hand corner of the net to give RCA a very fortunate 2-1 half time lead, and set up a quite extraordinary second half.
Siksworth again started the better at the start of the second half and within five minutes had turned the game round with two quick goals to lead 3-2. RCA were shaken, but gradually clawed their way back into the game and in turn scored two quick goals, from Willie Crew and Jonny Davis to lead 4-3. Silksworth, though, were not to be behind for long as they equalised almost immediately to bring the score to 4-4 with 15 minutes remaining.
At this point RCA at last began to dominate posession, and with another debutant, Craig Peel replacing Michael Curtis, and James Dixon coming on for Andy Place, the fresh legs seemed to awaken RCA. A fifth goal duly arrived despatched by Willie Crew to complete his hat trick and Martin Metcalfe and Callum Charlton added further strikes to complete a 7-4 victory. Mention should also be given to goalkeeper Neal Atkinson who had to be at his best again as Silksworth never gave up the fight and with their very young side look as if they could be a decent outfit if they can keep their youngsters together and build on their fighting spirit.
Another tough game next week at home to Redhouse CIU, when RCA's squad will be further strenghened by the return from suspension of skipper Phil Hall and influential midfielder Richie Jordan.