Sunderland RCA 5 Willington 2

Eye Infirmary Cup

6 April 2009

Welcome showers before kick off and very little wind, meant conditions were ideal for tonight's cup tie against Willington, with a semi final place at stake. Facing three games in six days, the management made good use of the squad and four changes were made from the last match. Billy Hedgley got his chance in goal, Mick Jacob brought in at right back, Damien Knight on the right side of midfield, with Matty Reynonds up front for his first game since his minor operation. Difficult decisions indeed given that from the last ten games, nine had been won by SRCA with one draw.

If the team changes were going to affect the good run it certainly didn't show and RCA started at a phenomenal pace. Kicking off with the slope advantage, possession was retained as the ball was passed between midfielders with captain Chris Bailey exchanging passes with Luke Page in the centre before feeding Lee Andrews up front. He held well before rolling the ball back to Page who, 25 yards from goal, took one touch then hit a curled drive over the outstretched keeper and into the top corner. 1 - 0. The players were jubilant, a large crowd applauded and the Willington defenders were shell-shocked. All one way traffic in the first ten and the passing and movement was better than it has been all season: not like watching Brazil; this was better! A further seven man move even had sweeper Marc Moon piling forward and he hit a tremendous drive which finished wide. Every home player seemed to be getting in on the act and Page and Bailey in the centre were running the show. Willington could not get hold of the ball at all and after 20 minutes the next breakthrough. Page again taking the pass he beat two men, before slicing the defence in two freeing Reynolds, who racing on to beat the keeper in attempting to lob, sliced the ball, but this totally confused the keeper leaving the forward to follow up and fire home 2 -0.

Willington had not settled and were moving the ball long in attempting to get some respite. Although they did win a couple of corners and a free kick they were finding little room in the RCA end with Tench and Jacobs at the back, not only winning balls, but starting attacking moves at the same time. The amount of home possession though was frightening and no surprise when a further breakthrough was made. Page was again involved when getting the ball and on 35 minutes. If the first goal was top drawer this one also took some beating. Page receiving from Bailey, hit a great ball out to the left, Robinson raced on beating his man then cutting into the box took out another defender, switching the ball left to right foot he hit a 22 yarder straight into the bottom corner. 3 - 0 and great celebrations. Robbo's first of the season and was he pleased! The visitors needed half time, but there was still no relenting. Ball played from the back again with Dunn and Moon involved, Tench moved it out to the right and this time Damien Knight fired in a terrific cross to the back post, Robinson right in the mood now, raced in to hit a terrific volley which Howarth, in goal, tipped onto the bar, but who was waiting for the rebound?

Matty Reynolds again, thank you very much. He despatched the ball for his tenth of the season. 4 - 0 and easily our best 45 minutes of the season to date.

Not wanting half time, but the referee blew the whistle.

The opposition and current league leaders now knew what they were up against and tightened up in all areas. Clearly they were not going to throw the towel in and responding to the challenge they upped the ante and pulled a goal back for their efforts. Although their passing and movement was excellent the goal came from sloppy defensive play when the ball played into the box caused hesitancy between Moon and goalkeeper Hedgley, allowing Josh Clark to intercept and fire into the corner on 50 minutes. Both teams clearly set the stall out to attack resulting in some excellent, fast-paced football, well appreciated by the crowd. Chances were created from both sides before RCA increased their lead on 70 minutes. A free kick on the halfway line was hit long to the right side of the box where Liam Dunn climbed high to head over all the defence into space and Lee Andrews reacted first to half volley in from 8 yards. 5 - 1 and surely game over. Well fair play to Willington they came back again and after a good passing period the ball was crossed in from the left where Evan Graham ran in between defence and goalkeeper to plant a firm header over the advancing keeper. 5 - 2 and what a cracking game and the quality of the football was commented on by referee Bob Robson at the end of the match.

On Saturday SRCA play Willington again in the league and all will be looking forward to the game involving teams with similar attacking styles playing the game of football in the proper way. A great advert for the Saturday County League. A further league match against our neighbours RCW on Wednesday and the question is can SRCA keep the unbeaten run going? Good that the team has reached the County Final and now a further two semis, in the League and Eye

Infirmary cups, but the most important thing is the progress that our youth side is making and in the style they are aiming to play the game. The future is good and a lot of club scouts are starting to take notice!