RCA's latest pre-season tour visit was Crook Town. A cloudy evening provided the backdrop for our third run out in the build up to the new season. As a contest, the match was effectively over after 15 minutes when Gavin Barton slotted home from an accurate left wing cross from Harrison Davies. Mark Davison had opened the scoring with a trademark header following good work on the right in RCA's first attack. Crook were often quick and lively, but truth be told, keeper Gary Hoggeth had an easy night.
In pre-season matches it is largely about giving players the opportunity to see how they are shaping up individually and as a team for selection for the opening matches of the campaign. I don't want to tempt fate by overstating things, but we are looking strong and manager Neil Hixon will have some real choices to make for our tough opening home fixture against Shildon followed by a trip to Consett.
The RCA starting line up at Crook was keeper Gary Hoggeth, full backs James Oates and John Butler, central defenders Carl Beasley and Ian Maddison, central midfield Andy Cuthbertson and Brian Close, wide men Harrison Davies and Joe Walton and Mark Davison and Gavin Barton leading the line. In the second half Andy Jennings, David Wells and Gary Shields came on for Barton, Davison and Walton, closely followed by Wayne Henderson and Leon Carling for Close and Beasley.
It is clear that we have very good strength in depth in attack and on each wing and a very solid defence too – although it's frustrating that it looks like talented full back Adam McGuinness is not committing to this season – but circumstances, particularly Scott Richards' toe, mean that we lack central midfield numbers, but certainly not quality.
Matches are now coming thick and fast. Our first pre-season home game this Saturday against Stockton – by the way, the pitch is looking very good according to Graham Defty – followed by two matches in two days against Sunderland West End and Ryhope CW in the annual Allan Thompson Memorial Cup. The following Saturday we are up against Durham City. Then the real action starts.
A couple of good things from last night: it was good to see a very fit looking Paul Moss in defence at Crook – Paul was a good servant and captain for RCA some seasons ago now – and to see Consett manager Kenny Lindhoe at the game. Neil Hixon spoke to him and he said that he was recovering well from his heart operation – very good news.