Tuesday, 1 March 2011
STL Northern League Division 1
Sunderland RCA moved up to ninth in the league, the highest position for the club all season, after a 2-0 win over Billingham Synthonia at Meadow Park. Keith Graydon returned to the centre of the RCA midfield after missing the last two games and John Toft came in for the unavailable Richie Logan.
The opening stages of the game saw both sides create openings with neither taking advantage. Joe Walton and Harrison Davies were looking dangerous on the flanks for RCA. After around 15 minutes of play Davies received the ball on the left and, comfortably beat his marker, he drove into the box. Davies picked his cross, putting the ball in between defender and goalkeeper, and Walton slid in at the back post but agonisingly could not make contact.
RCA took the lead on 24 minutes. Walton received the ball on the edge of the box and within range he shot at goal. The strike, which was probably heading wide, took a heavy deflection off the unfortunate David Abel and evaded Josh Moody in the Synthonia goal.
RCA could have quickly made it two when Davies, with some good work down the left, got to the byline and cleverly pulled the ball back to Martin Smith who was standing unmarked around the penalty spot. Smith had time to pick his spot but his weak effort ended in the arms of Moody.
RCA doubled their lead just before the interval with the best piece of football of the match. Stepping past the first challenge Davies looked up and, seeing the run of Walton on the right, played a Hollywood ball across field that enable Walton to get in behind the Synthonia defence. Walton controlled the ball immaculately and finished into the bottom corner past Moody.
Synthonia began the second period looking for a way to get back into the match. A couple of half chances showed the nerves in the RCA defence then Colin Iley came closest for Synthonia with a freekick that whistled inches wide of Gary Hoggeth’s near post.
RCA continued threaten the Synthonia goal with Davies still causing problems down the left and Toft having a few weak attempts on goal. The introduction of Paul Taylor added some extra pace to the RCA attack and his strong running into the channel forced a mistake from the Synthonia defence. Taylor was able to pick his cross but Walton was unable to apply the finish.
Synthonia continued to pressure the RCA goal with Robbie Bettson and Glen Donaldson forcing a couple of good saves from Hoggeth. But they could not find the break through that would have put RCA under pressure in the closing stages of the game.
